Dental hygienists and dental therapists are trained, indemnified and competent in the use of certain prescription only medicines. The mechanisms by which they use these medicines are varied and currently they can administer, sell and supply only by a patient specific direction (PSD) or a patient group directive (PGD). These mechanisms have advantages and disadvantages and the profession have decided to unite to find a more effective solution to providing these medicines in a timely and cost-efficient manner.
The British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) and the British Association of DentalTherapists (BADT) have been working on the NHS England project to change legislation and in collaboration with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Governments, and are now consulting the public on proposed changes to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 to include the use by dental hygienists and therapists of a mechanism called exemptions.
Being able to use the exemptions mechanism will mean that
This would help dentists, dental hygienists and dental therapists to provide safer, quicker and more comfortable care for their patients.
The Public Consultation can be found https://www.england.nhs.uk/medicines-2/chief-professions-officers-medicines-mechanisms-programme/
And the consultation surveys will also be able to be accessed directly from the NHS England consultation hub from Thursday 15th October 2020 onwards at: www.engage.england.nhs.uk
Michaela ONeill - BSDHT Representative
Fiona Sandom - BADT Representative
BSDHT
01788 575050
The British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) is a nationally recognised body that represents over 4,000 Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists across the UK and beyond.
BSDHT maintain an on-going dialogue with the General Dental Council (GDC), the Departments of Health and all of the main groups representing dental care professionals, and attends meetings of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Dentistry, bringing dental hygiene and therapy to the attention of government ministers and MP’s.
Visit www.bsdht.org.uk for more information.
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