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Private dentists “putting patients at risk”

January 20, 2012 by Ian Kerr

The MP Chris Bryant disgraced himself today with a a wholly unsubstantiated piece or rhetoric when he asked the House to look into private dentistry –Will the Secretary of State add laser surgery clinics to his list, and also private dentists, many of which are encouraging patients to undergo operations they certainly do not need?’

This sort of statement may seem relatively harmless but it is actually an alarming abuse of his power. To make the accusation “encouraging patients to undergo operations they certainly do not need?” without offering any proof or a an opportunity to reply is little better than school ground name calling but potentially much more damaging. As a profession dentistry has a constant up hill struggle to encourage patients to overcome their genuine, fears and concerns about treatment without having the likes of Mr Bryant trying to further his career by throwing cheap jibes like this around.

It is not for me to say what each and every member of the dental profession does or how they discuss the various treatment options with their patients but I would say that every single patient should feel confident to sit and talk with their dentist about their care and not feel pressured into taking on any treatment without first having had time to consider all of their options. It is wrong of dentists to project their treatment preferences on patients without consideration of the patient’s wishes and it is equally wrong of patients to abdicate all responsibility and decision making to the dentist and then complain that they “did not get what they wanted”.

There is undoubtedly an urgent need for an honest discussion about the future of dentistry, one that looks at “Holy Cows” such as the NHS and asks is it genuinely giving patients value for money and quality care. One that also looks at the role of the newly formed CQC to see if it can hope to live up to its remit to police the entire UK medical, dental and associated health care professionals by the end of 2013/14. This discussion should look at ways of assessing dentists competence to practice, their levels of continuing professional development, their working practices and much more but it should not involve uninformed, self aggrandising MPs taking cheap shots safe in the knowledge they will not have to defend their claims.

Oh and by the way, if you were wondering if the MP Chris  Bryant was involved in the expenses scandal- yes, yes he was http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/5334791/Chris-Bryant-changed-second-home-twice-to-claim-20000-MPs-expenses.html

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Behind the Headlines

About Ian Kerr

Dr Ian Kerr BDS qualified in 1989 from Newcastle University Dental School and has worked ever since in both private practice and hospital settings. Following a short stint in a busy general practice in the North East Dr Kerr went to live and work in Trinidad, where he learnt a wide range of surgical skills and developed an interest in the treatment of tempero-mandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). On returning to the UK in 1994 Dr Kerr worked in a prestigious private practice in Bromley in Kent. During his time there he completed extensive post graduate training in advanced restorative techniques and further advanced his interest in TMD.

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About StoneRock Dental Care

StoneRock Dental Care is a stunning dental practice in Hawkhurst, Nr Cranbrook on the Kent and East Sussex border. We provide every level of care, from routine family dental visits to complete cosmetic dental makeovers, including dental implants, teeth whitening, veneers, bridges and other cosmetic dental and facial aesthetic techniques.

We know how hard it can be to choose a dentist and we know how tough it can be to decide what treatment is right for you, therefore we put your comfort and your well being at the heart of every treatment that we provide.

You can contact us on 01580 752202 or info@stonerock.co.uk

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