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PUBLISHED IN LONDON A vettingschemeforallden- talprofessionalschanging jobs or starting work for the first time has been put under review by the new government. The Vetting and Barring sch- eme, aimed at protecting chil- dren and vulnerable adults, has been criticised by many as dis- proportionate, overly burden- some and unduly infringing on civil liberties. It was announced last year that from July 2010, any dental professionals who were chang- ing jobs or starting work for the first time would need to register with the Independent Safeguard- ing Authority (ISA) and that by 2015 all dental professionals would need to be registered with the Vetting and Barring scheme. However, registration with the scheme has been postponed. Home Secretary, Theresa May said: “The safety of children and vulnerable adults is of para- mount importance to the new government. “However it is also vital that we take a measured approach in these matters. We’ve listened to the criticisms and will respond with a scheme that has been fun- damentally remodelled. Vulnera- ble groups must be properly prot- ected in a way that is proportion- ate and sensible. This redrawing of the vetting and barring scheme will ensure this happens.” Children’s Minister, Tim Lou- ghton said: “Protecting vulner- able children is a top priority. Any vetting system should not be a substitute for proper vigilance by individuals and society. At the moment we think the pendulum has swung too far.” The scheme was devised in response to an enquiry into the 2002 Soham murders which called for better informa- tion sharing. It was designed to protect children and vulner- able adults by preventing those who pose a known risk from gaining access to them through their work. Within the meaning of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, the delivery of dental care is a ‘regulated activ- ity’; therefore it was proposed that all those delivering that care must be registered with the ISA in the long term. Head of standards at the General Dental Council (GDC), Janet Collins said: “We will watch with interest the review into this scheme by the gov- ernment. We will make sure registrants are up to date with any changes which affect their obligations under the scheme, as well as what information the GDC is obliged to share with the ISA. “We’d also like to remind dental professionals the GDC expects all registrants to be aware of the procedures in- volved in raising concerns about the possible abuse or neglect of children and vulnerable adults.” British Association of Dental Nurses’ President Sue Bruckel said: “Whilst we at BADN ac- knowledge the need to safeguard children and vulnerable adults, we welcome the Government’s decision to review the proposed scheme; and await with interest further developments.” Susie Sanderson, chair of the British Dental Associat- ion’s Executive Board, said: “We hope that the announcement of the halting of the proposed vet- ting and barring regulations signal a fresh approach to reg- ulation that puts patient care before bureaucracy.” DT Call Max on 01737 221020 EXT 2042 or email DTacquisitions@adp-dental.com If you’re thinking about selling your practice or group then come and have a chat with us. You’ve worked hard. Now reap the rewards. Think of selling your practice and think of • Beating the Corporate Gains Tax rise • Clinical freedom • A minimum 1 year working contract • Reducing your income tax bill • Reducing stress • Developing practice potential & growth • Supporting staff & patients • Unlocking equity June 28-July 4, 2010 VOL. 4 NO. 17 Birthday Honours Paul Langmaid, chief den- tal officer for Wales has been awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Sylvia Medland, who worked for the GDC until her retirement in 2009, has been awarded an MBE and John Rose, dental advisor to NHS Western Cheshire has also been awarded an MBE. Mr Rose was the founder chair- man of the National Associa- tion of Dental Advisors. Best dental school The Times Online Good University Guide 2011 has ranked the University of Glasgow Detal School as first for dentistry in Scotland and third overall in the UK. Uni- versities were ranked accord- ing to eight key performance areas: student satisfaction, research quality, entry stand- ards, student-staff ratios, services and facilities spend, completion, good honours and graduate prospects. Winning WAG’s smile Cheryl Cole has won the top spot in a public survey to find the WAG with the best smile. The X-Factor judge and pop star was strides ahead of the other WAGs with her beaming smile win- ning her more than 70 per cent of the votes. The sur- vey, conducted for National Smile Month by the Brit- ish Dental Health Founda- tion and power-toothbrush maker Oral-B, asked more than 1,000 people to vote for the WAG with the best smile and one with the worst. L.A. based fash- ion designer Victoria Beck- ham’s pout proved to be the least popular of the WAGs, followed by new-mum Colleen Rooney. Canines with bad canines! The number of dogs suf- fering from dental disease has risen by five per cent to 24 per cent, according to the Pets Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). The veterinary charity revealed that nearly two million dogs could be suffering from den- tal disease. Northern Ireland and Wales has the highest rates while Scotland and London have seen a decrease in the number of pets need- ing attention. The best area in England for healthy pet gums is the North East, where only 20 per cent of pets needed treatment. The main reason for the overall rise, according to the PDSA, is poor diets, and lack of proper dental care or aware- ness on behalf of the owner. www.dental-tribune.co.uk The right foundation Clive Lawrence looks at differ- ent types of business structure Stopping recession A clinical look at using reseal- able barriers in root recession coverage The trouble with patients Mhari Coxon looks at how to deal with those patients that raise the blood pressure! News in Brief Perio Tribune DCPsPractice ManagementNews Appy days NHS Bristol launches app for services access page 2 pages 10-11 pages 19-20 pages 24-25 Vetting and barring scheme under review Home Secretary withdraws scheme pending a ‘fundamental remodelling’; dental groups ‘wait with interest’