Dental Protection offers members access to free elective protection in the majority of locations, including the USA and Canada. Remember, even if you plan to stay in the UK for your elective, you will still need to apply for elective protection.

Salaried dentists often have indemnity arrangements provided by their employer. However, there can be gaps in the protection provided by such arrangements and Dental Protection is ideally placed to assist in such circumstances.

Protection for your elective starts here Whether you choose to stay in the UK or travel abroad for your elective, you’re in for an exciting and challenging time. This will be your first chance to exercise the skills and knowledge you’ve learned over the last few years, and to experience life in a new environment.

Most dental schools will have a list of funding opportunities available. These are competitive so it’s worth being proactive. Speak to your peers, ask foundation dentists, talk to your course tutors and search the internet – you might be surprised by what funding is on offer.

General practice is an increasingly challenging and high-risk environment in which to practise medicine. Simon Kayll, Chief Executive of Medical Protection, explains how we assess those risks and calculate GP membership subscriptions

As a dental professional, you have a duty to keep your skills and knowledge up-to-date.

Seeking employment can be stressful, as it can lead us to wonder whether we are 'good enough' especially if we are new to practice.

We hope you find these top tips useful. Everyone has their own ways of making life a little easier...

The administration of local anaesthetics is governed by The Human Medicine Regulations. The GDC has no influence over this legislation and it is quite separate from the new direct access regulations.

Simon Stone offers nine steps to ensure success and shares some cases from which we can all learn

Members will be aware that in order to provide private treatment to patients, registration with the RQIA is essential.

Where can I find out about current evidence and best practice which affect my work, premises, equipment and business?

Do I need to update the patient’s medical history on every appointment?

The GDC has very sensibly adopted the term 'valid consent' which helps to avoid the incorrect perception that giving patients information (informed consent) is sufficient to achieve a proper, valid consent. It isn't.

In business, it is always a good idea to ensure that people who are making a purchase are made aware of the costs involved before agreeing to go ahead. In this way, any misunderstanding about the price can be eliminated.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has stated that it intends to inspect approximately 10% of dental providers and that it will not apply ratings following inspections.

Receiving and acting on complaints: a summary of complaints, responses, correspondence and other relevant information identified must be provided to CQC within 28 days of a request.

The duty of candour, which was introduced by the government through Regulation 20 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, applies to dental practices from 1 April 2015.

All healthcare organisations that provide regulated activities have to register with the CQC. Here's a little background along with advice on who is affected and how to apply for registration.

The Local Authority Social Services & NHS Complaints (England) Regulations 2009 came into force on 1 April 2009 and introduced a revised procedure for the handling of complaints by local authorities, in respect of complaints about adult social care, and by NHS bodies, primary care providers and independent providers in respect of provision of NHS care.

The Ombudsman takes the view that complaints handling should be ‘Do it once do it right’. The Ombudsman will be looking for an appropriate, proportionate response which meets the principles of good complaints handling.

Patients who remain unhappy after local resolution is complete may request a review of their complaint by the Ombudsman. The person responding must inform the complainant of their right to take their complaint to the Ombudsman Health Service. Effectively what was a three-stage procedure is simplified into two stages.

Dental professionals are required to make and keep accurate dental records of care provided to patients, whether NHS or private. Dental Protection is frequently contacted by members who want to understand how long records should be retained by the practice.

The Health & Personal Social Services (Disciplinary Procedures) Regulations 1996 currently govern disciplinary proceedings in relation to family health practitioners, including dentists.