On the 28th March 2013 a detailed review of evidence and a full discussion concerning Direct Access and Patient Safety was made by the GDC. Conclusions were made that the GDC plans to remove its barrier to Direct Access for a number of dental care professionals. This decision has been made after reflecting on the effects on patient safety, a major consideration. Previously, all members of a dental team were required to work on the prescription of a dentist.
Patients had to be assessed by the dentist initially, before any other treatment or assessment was allowed to be carried out by another member of the dental team. The GDC came to an agreement that this should be changed for certain circumstances. Plans to make these alterations are said to be implemented on May 1st. The GDC have maintained that full guidance for registrants will be announced before these changes are executed.
The GDC Reported that Kevin O’Brien the Chair of the GDC said,
‘This decision has been made with patient safety as an upmost priority. Registrants treating patients direct must only do so if appropriately trained, competent and indemnified. They should also ensure that there are adequate onward referral arrangements in place and they must make clear to the patient the extent of their scope of practice and not work beyond it.’
The GDC also reminded registrants that there are regulations which must be kept. The issued the following reminders:
• All registrants must be trained, competent and indemnified for any tasks they undertake.
• All registrants must continue to work within their scope of practice regardless of these changes.
• All registrants must continue to follow the GDC’s Standards for Dental Professionals.
• Dental care professionals do not have to offer direct access and should not be made to offer it.
These changes will effect different types of dental professionals. Dental nurses will be able to take part in preventative programmes without the patient being met by the dentist first. Dental hygienists and therapists will be able to continue their full scope of practice without dependence on a prescription. In other words, the patient does not have to be assessed by the dentist first before meeting with a hygienist and therapists.
It is important that these individuals are confident in their abilities and capabilities before implementing this into their daily processes and management. The GDC maintained that working a period of time under a dentist’s prescription gives individuals time to assess their skills and continue to develop and learn until they feel confident to work without it. These changes will also effect Orthodontic therapists, Clinical dental technicians and Dental Technicians.
It is also important that all dental care professionals remember to top up their experiences with training and CPD to develop their abilities and expertise further. Training by registrants before and since 2002, who have covered the full scope of practice should continue to review their skills and training to secure they can cope with all the demands within their scope of practice before implementing changes to their practice.