Chairman of DPAS Quentin Skinner used this year’s Dental Showcase to publicise a campaign in opposition to the Care Quality Commission’s regulation of dentistry. Quentin is vociferous in his arguments against this aspect of CQC regulation, in which he questions the need for what he regards as duplication of effort in regard to compliance. In this article I will explain further why CQC regulation of dentistry is unwelcome and unnecessary.
We appreciate that the CQC is a welcome initiative in areas of health provision that are as yet unregulated, or not sufficiently regulated, however the proposed regulation of dentistry is already adequately covered by GDC registration and we are unconvinced of the need for additional layers of bureaucracy.
Whilst the Government overloads the dental profession with regulation, we have the absolute absurdity that tattooists and piercing parlours for example are still left with no statutory requirements for any form of registration. This situation completely undermines the professional status of dentists and the public deserves an explanation for this waste of resources when public funding is being cut to the bone. There is no evidence that this additional need to register with the CQC will have any positive impact on outcomes for patients.
Patient expectations are driven by a whole series of social and cultural factors, their perception of the NHS and what its existence should aim to achieve and provide, their views of the provision of private health in general, fears (unfounded or otherwise) of what dentistry entails, pain relief, prevention, cosmetic outcomes? Whether an individual is satisfied with treatment or considers it a ‘success’ is such a subjective view as to be relatively pointless.
Continual monitoring, box ticking and intervention from external sources is slowly eroding the status of the dentist as a professional.
It’s not all bad news though. Some of the requirements for registration are welcome and some will make organisations self critical and objective, and this is a good thing; but we should be led by the hand and guided through these processes having agreed the need and methodology, and not be treated like naughty children.
The sanctions for those who do not register by April 2011 are severe and can in the most extreme cases include a removal of one’s licence to practice. But surely before we reach this stage we need a grown up discussion about how best to meet the needs of patients in the 21st century in an era of dramatic public spending cuts.
Support for DPAS’ campaign at Dental Showcase was strong and the petition has so far gained in excess of 1,000 signatures. We hope in some small way we have succeeded in at least gathering together a body of like-minded professionals who have been able to vocalise their concerns in a coherent, well made argument. We urge all those who wish to oppose CQC regulation in dentistry to bend the ear of their MP to get the law amended.
For more information on the campaign, call 01747 870910 or visit www.dpas.co.uk