This is the greatest show

For the practice principal, there are lectures that are both topical and engaging. Research has shown that principal dentists and associates often have very low morale and the most common cited reason for this is fear of litigation. Leonard Maguire, a GDP from The Dentists’ Academy, will be examining the seven big mistakes that dentists unwittingly make, increasing the risk of expensive legal action. Industry experts will also be covering business issues such as the relationship between profit and value, tax efficiency and pension planning.

There will be much for associate dentists too. Tom Slevin will be presenting delegates with the latest update on HMRC’s tax status enquiry and advising associates what they can do to best illustrate that they are self-employed. Stephen Hudson, a qualified dental surgeon with a PGD in both medical and dental law, will be investigating what the GDC standards really mean and how to comply with them. The lecture by Daakshini Patel also covers ethical concerns and will define mental capacity and the causes of incapacity and will provide guidelines on when treatment should, and shouldn’t, be undertaken. It is important for all dental professional to be able to manage patients who lack mental capacity, to determine who can make decisions on their behalf and when practitioners should apply for legal representation.