News Review
Covid-19 Inquiry Dental Alliance (CIDA) established
Following the long-awaited government announcement of the draft terms of reference for the forthcoming public enquiry into the Covid-19 pandemic, FTA Law has announced the creation of the Covid-19 Inquiry Dental Alliance (CIDA). The alliance has been launched in order for professionals from across the dental industry in England and Wales to have their voice heard as part of the forthcoming inquiry and brings together representatives from key disciplines including dental hygienists and therapists, as well as practice owners, associates, practice managers, technicians and dental nurses. A steering committee comprising selected individuals, trade-bodies and organisations from each key area has been set up with a view to representing as broad a spectrum of the dental industry as possible. FTA Law and
Sam Karim QC are, on behalf of CIDA, preparing an official application to be the appointed representatives of the Alliance at the inquiry upon its commencement.
are better prepared in the event of it happening again. To that end, it seemed to us paramount that all interested parties from within the dental sector are given the opportunity to have The alliance will be inviting further parties their voices heard. The formation of an to join the steering committee and details all-encompassing alliance comprising of existing and new representatives will respected, influential, experienced and be published in due course alongside expert representatives from across further details of how all interested parties the sector seems the obvious way to within the dental sector can provide their achieve that and we are heartened by valuable input into the evidence that is the expressions of support we have received to date. Solicitors Lindsay ultimately going to be presented to the Dixon and Sarah Buxton of FTA Law Inquiry. together combine vast experience Thomas Coates, the MD of FTA Law, of the dental sector and dispute comments, “Since the possibility of a resolution and alongside Sam Karim QC, public inquiry into the pandemic was first a specialist in health and social care, raised in mid-2021 we have had mind to public law and national and international the fact that the pandemic has affected arbitration, they comprise a formidable all aspects of dentistry in myriad different team worthy of representing the alliance ways. The purpose of the Inquiry is to and the wider dental sector in giving examine what happened, why did it evidence to the Inquiry on these most sensitive and vital of issues.” happen and how can we ensure that we
College of General Dentistry broadens membership eligibility The College of General Dentistry has broadened its eligibility criteria for membership, enabling suitably qualified non-registrants to join, and offering practitioners with relevant non-dental qualifications the ability to progress to higher grades of membership. Registration with the General Dental Council or an equivalent overseas authority is normally required for entry as an associate member. However former registrants, and those who hold a relevant qualification but may not be required to register with the GDC due to their job role – such as dental academics – are now eligible to join. Those wishing to join as full members (MCGDent), or upgrade to full membership, have until now been required, in addition to meeting the requirements for associate membership, to hold either the DGDP, MJDF, MFGDP(UK), MFDS or a postgraduate certificate level qualification in a ‘relevant dental subject’. However, full membership is now also open to those whose qualification is in a “subject relevant to the enhancement of oral healthcare”. Those wishing to join at, or upgrade to,
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associate fellowship (AssocFCGDent), have up to this point needed to hold the MGDS, a specialty membership of a UK dental faculty, or a postgraduate diploma level or master’s level qualification in a dental subject. However, this recently instituted membership grade, which offers a stepping stone to fellowship, is similarly now available to those whose qualification is relevant to oral heath rather than being strictly ‘dental’ in scope. The changes also apply to fellowship (FCGDent), applications for which have now opened beyond the existing membership through the ‘fellowship by experience’ and ‘fellowship by equivalence’ routes. They are further to earlier departures from the eligibility criteria of the former Faculty of General Dental Practice, from which the college evolved – most notably the ability of dental hygienists, dental therapists, dental nurses, dental technicians and clinical dental technicians to apply for membership at all grades, and for practice managers and other non-clinical members of the dental team to join as affiliate members. Abhi Pal, president of the college,
said, “Among the key aims behind the establishment of The College of General Dentistry were the promotion of both dental and oral health, and to create a new type of college, breaking down barriers which are unnecessarily prescriptive and exclusionary, and replacing them with an inclusive approach fit for the 21st century. “We are implementing this step by step, and are already a college open to all members of the dental team, formed of practitioners across the UK and beyond, and bridging the NHS/private divide. “These latest changes offer recognition to a wide range of individuals and professional roles whose contribution to the advancement of general dental practice and oral healthcare is hugely significant, and we look forward to welcoming them into membership, and to bringing their significant knowledge, expertise and experience to bear in the fulfilment of our mission.” Issue 1 2022
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