Dental Tribune UK Edition, October 4-10, 2010, No.24 Vol.4

Excellent Quality Excellent Value ... Why compromise *Minimum spend applies All trade marks acknowledged. Offers subject to availability not valid with any other offers, price match or special pricing arrangements. Only one per customer. All prices exclude VAT. Offer valid until 31st October 2010. Terms and conditions apply. E. & O.E. www.precisiondental.co.uk Tel: 020 8236 0606 5020 8236 0070 Proud to be assosiated with A-Silicone Fast Set Putty Hydrophilic Impression Material from £27.50 per pack (base + catalyst) Visit us on Stand P10 14-16 October 2010 ExCel London For your chance of a FREE gift* Fluoride-releasing Light-cured Universal Microhybrid Composite only £12.50 per 4g syringe Self Etch Bond only £22.50 Total Etch Bond only £18.50 Tribune_aug:Precision 18/8/10 10:30 Page 1 Patient protection and value for money focus for GDC T he General Dental Coun- cil has spelt out its prior- ities in its new corporate strategy, highlighting patient protection and value for money as its key aims. The strategy 2010-2014 commits the GDC to delivering its regulatory functions as ef- ficiently and effectively as pos- sible. Being the end result of months of hard work by the re- structured Council, which took office in October last year, the strategy was launched online on the 23rd September 2010. Recognising the importance of strong relationships with a wide range of people and or- ganisations, the strategy sets out clear aims, putting patients at the heart of the GDC’s thinking. Chair Alison Lockyer said: “This is an important step for- ward for the GDC in explaining its purpose, values, aims and objectives clearly and concisely to registrants and the public. Council members have shown their dedication and determi- nation to drive forward change in order to further improve the GDC. We have re-affirmed our commitment to protecting pa- tients and regulating the dental team - As the strategy says: This is why we exist.” The strategy defines the GDC’s values when it comes to delivering regulation and gov- erning the organisation: • Regulation is proportionate, targeted, consistent, transparent and accountable • Policy is developed on the basis of consultation and evidence • Resources are managed effec- tively, efficiently and sustainably • Decision-making is collective, robust and accountable • Leadership of the organisation is strategic and ethical • Equality and diversity is em- bedded in our policies, systems and processes • Management of people is open, fair and constructive Alison adds: “It is important to highlight our ongoing drive to deliver value for money. We rec- ognise that the money we spend comes from the dental profes- sionals who register with us. We will work hard to ensure that the burden we place on registrants is proportionate and fair, both financially and administratively. We will be successful if we en- sure that the annual retention fee is set at the minimum rate to enable us to fulfil our statutory purpose.” Each regulatory function – Standards, Registration, Fit- ness to Practise and Education/ Quality Assurance/Revalida- tion - has a set of objectives. Alongside these objectives, are success indicators, to which the Council will be held ac- countable. A common theme throughout all the functions is driving up performance on dealing with fitness to prac- tise policy, processes and out- comes. DT The full strategy can be found at www.gdc-uk.org Denplan to host CQC seminars at BDTA A s one of the most talked about topics within the dental industry draws closer, Denplan is inviting members to attend a short sem- inar addressing the application process for registration with the Care Quality Commission. These hour-long seminars take place at this year’s BDTA Dental Showcase at ExCel London and will be hosted by Denplan’s Chief Dental Officer, Roger Matthews and Deputy Chief Dental Officer, Henry Clo- ver. They offer one hour’s CPD and are to be held in the North- ern Gallery Room 8 (situated above the main exhibition hall) at the following times: Thursday 14 October - 11.00am or 2.00pm Friday 15 October - 11.00am or 2.00pm Saturday 16 October - 11.00am Roger Matthews comment- ed: “Applications for CQC regis- tration will commence on 16th November 2010 and by 31st December 2010 all practices in England, whether private or NHS, will need to have submit- ted their applications. In order to ensure the registration proc- ess goes smoothly for Denplan members, we have produced a range of support materials to assist them, including a ‘plain English’ guide to the applica- tion, which is available through Denplan Online Services. “We’ll also address how Denplan Excel and the Denplan Quality Programmes support the CQC Essential Standards.” To attend, please regis- ter with the Denplan Events team on 0800 169 9934 or email Lynn.godfrey@denplan. co.uk. DT Mouth cancer awareness takes a walk W ith nearly 8,000 people being diagnosed with Mouth Cancer every year, it is vital to generate a high level of public awareness. The Mouth Cancer Foundation has therefore once again provided free mouth cancer screening to the public at the annual Mouth Cancer 10km Awareness Walk. The specialist screening team was provided by the Department of Community Special Care Den- tistry, King’s College London and lead by members of the Oral Medicine Department of the East- man Dental Institute. The ‘Awareness Walk’, which had its biggest level of success in five years, screened 132 peo- ple and 6 were advised to see a dentist or a doctor for referral to a specialist for further investiga- tion, as participants visited the screening unit during the walk. The founder of the Mouth Cancer Foundation Dr Joshi said: “A common story many mouth cancer patients can relate to is that they were diagnosed late. Early diagnosis dramatically in- creases survival rates. There are many particularly obvious signs and symptoms mouth cancer pa- tients have which are often over- looked by GP’s and GDP’s be- cause of their lack of awareness of the disease. “The public needs to be aware of mouth cancer. The screening our specialist team provides at the Walk is something all dentists should be doing daily.” Mouth cancer survivor Mela- nie Brooks, 26, has first-hand ex- perience of how devastating the late detection of mouth cancer can be. She was diagnosed with Mouth Cancer aged just 21. Melanie said: “The symptoms of my mouth cancer went undiag- nosed for 18 months. The tumour was visible on my soft palate and I had major reconstruction sur- gery in January 2006 followed by six weeks of radiotherapy and further reconstruction. The con- sequences of my cancer are still evident today with changes to my speech and appearance.” DT 7NewsOctober 4-10, 2010United Kingdom Edition 7United Kingdom Edition

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