News for Dentists and DCPs

GDC tells the profession to keep equipment up to date

The General Dental Council (GDC) has recently warned dental professionals that they must follow the law and regulations which apply to their work, premises, equipment and business*.  The reminder is a result of disciplinary hearings involving complaints about failure to maintain equipment properly and failure to retain proper written evidence of maintenance and certification for use.

Dental equipment should be properly and regularly maintained so it performs efficiently, safe and reliably and delivers the desired patient experience.  The correct parts need to be used for repairs to ensure that warranties and certifications remain valid.

BDTA members sign up to a Code of Practice which requires that products offered for sale are supported by adequate stocks and technical information. In addition, suppliers must satisfy themselves that diagnostic aids, equipment repair facilities and spare parts will be available to support customers for the normal expected life of the product.  This brings the advantages of minimizing surgery downtime and disruptions with appointments.

As a professional highly skilled with your hands there may be a temptation for you to try to do your own servicing and maintenance, but there is a legal responsibility for you to use equipment that is fit for purpose and properly maintained. Service engineers are highly trained specialists, with the correct testing equipment and tools – and proper liability insurance.  In addition, all members of the team who use equipment must be trained and competent to do so.

Tony Reed, Executive Director at the BDTA, comments, “We are pleased to see that the GDC is alerting registrants to the need for equipment to be used properly and kept up to date.  It is important to use companies who can provide the right level of service to minimise surgery downtime, and who have the backing of manufacturers so they can obtain spare parts.”

The GDC have been alerted to cases where single-use equipment, such as gloves and impression trays have been re-used and even instances where gloves are not used at all.  The GDC’s Investigating Committee has also received complaints that documentation is not up to date, that X-ray tests and inspections are not taking place and required equipment such as a defibrillator is absent from the practice.

Remember:

Ensure equipment is properly and regularly serviced by trained professionals and that appropriate documentary evidence is retained.

For further information on the BDTA visit www.bdta.org.uk

*Source: GDC Gazette, Summer 2011