Written Question · S1W-16389 · Session 1
Whether there are any restrictions on dental therapists' place of work, in particular, on moving from a hospital or community dental servic…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any restrictions on dental therapists' place of work, in particular, on moving from a hospital or community dental service to a general practice, under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 and the Dental Auxiliaries Regulations 1986 (SI 1986/887); whether it will detail any such restrictions, and what plans it has to remove any such restrictions to increase patient access to appropriate dental care and treatment.
The answer
The Dentists Act 1984 gives power to the General Dental Council (GDC) to make regulations governing dental therapists, among other dental auxiliaries. That power is restricted so that, without an Order in Council, dental therapists cannot undertake the filling of teeth or the extraction of deciduous teeth in general dental practice. In addition, regulations made by the GDC prevent therapists from carrying out other activities in general practice. Whether these restrictions should be altered is a regulatory matter falling within a reserved area. The desirability of lifting or modifying these restrictions, in order to increase patient access while assuring the quality and safety of treatment, is the subject of discussion with the UK Government.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S1W-16389 by reference.