Dentaltherapists.org

Direct access to dental care professionals - UK

http://www.bda.org/dentists/policy-campaigns/research/dir-acc.aspx

On 28 March 2013 the General Dental Council (GDC) agreed to lift the restriction on dental hygienists and dental therapists to see patients on prescription from a dentist only. The policy decision came into effect 1 May 2013, although other barriers still exist for full direct access to take place at this time. More information from the GDC on direct access is available.

The decision was taken after the GDC’s Task and Finish Group considered the responses to last year’s consultation, the most recent patient and registrant surveys, and the results of the rapid evidence review commissioned in 2012. The group recommended the change in policy based on their interpretation that there was no evidence of increased patient safety risk by allowing hygienists and therapists to provide dental treatment within their scope of practice without a prescription from a dentist. This means that hygienists and therapists are now permitted to diagnose and plan treatment for patients for all skills included in their scope of practice.

The decision follows the Office of Fair Trading’s (OFT’s) report of 2012 which recommended that patients be allowed direct access to dental care professionals (DCPs), which the Government also supported.