Message from the President

Welcome to the third, and final, edition of the Council’s Newsletter for 2020.

Year in review and thanks

I am sure that you will all agree that 2020 was a year like no other.  COVID-19 brought with it a number of challenges that impacted us all both personally and professionally. Important updates/developments specific to dental practice are also included in this newsletter.

I acknowledge that, at times, the tenacity of dental practitioners was tested, particularly during the higher level dental practice restrictions.  However, I am also pleased to note that, during this time, dental practitioners in NSW maintained a level of professionalism and resilience, while also ensuring they adhered to the constantly changing levels of restrictions. Only a small number of complaints were received raising concerns about practitioners allegedly breaching practice restrictions during this period. 

The effects of COVID-19 and the associated practice restrictions on dental practitioners, our staff and our patients cannot be understated.  On behalf of the Dental Council of NSW, I would like to thank all of you for adhering to the restrictions and for ensuring that patients’ and staff health and safety was maintained during this time.

It is pleasing to note that, from a professional and community perspective, we find ourselves in a much better position now than we were in the first half of 2020. I am hopeful that this will continue.

Recent COVID-19 developments in Australia, including transmissions in the dental setting and breach of quarantine directions resulting in a dentist being jailed

Australian data is now available confirming the contracting of COVID-19 in the dental setting. This includes dentists, dental hygienists, oral health therapists, dental assistants and administrative staff becoming infected.

Of the cases acquired in the dental workplace setting, contact has been through a positive dental patient and also from contact with other staff members who were infectious while working.

This current data emphasises the need for continued vigilance on our part with patient screening, ensuring staff declare symptoms (no matter how mild) and the continued use of other transmission risk minimisation strategies as documented elsewhere.

It should also be noted that the Western Australian authorities have recently taken action against a Perth dentist. This dentist was sentenced to seven months jail with five months of the term to be suspended after she breached the Western Australian COVID -19 quarantine directions.

The dentist failed to self-isolate after returning to Perth from Canberra via Sydney and instead continued to attend and work in the dental practice treating patients.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the importance of ensuring that COVID-19 practices (e.g. spacing of chairs, removing magazines/toys) and pre-screening continues to occur for all patients and visitors in your practice setting. You should also continue to monitor the important updates being provided by the NSW Government relating to COVID-19.  More information regarding these issues was included in the COVID-19 update provided by the Council on 8 May 2020.

Other regulatory news

From a regulatory perspective, the Council has seen an overall decrease in the number of complaints received about dental practitioners during the first quarter of FY2020/21.  Although this is pleasing, the Council is mindful that this may be a result of the impact of COVID-19 on dental practice during the year.

While the numbers of complaints have reduced, the Council has noted that there appears to be an increased complexity to complaints, and a number of these continue to raise concerns about treatments being performed outside the individual practitioner’s expertise and/or beyond the usual services that can be safely delivered by dental practitioners. This obviously results in a greater risk to the health and safety of our patients. The Council reminds you that you must only perform dental treatments that you have been educated and trained in, and that you are competent in.

The Council would also like to remind dental practitioners of their professional obligations, as stated in the Dental Board of Australia’s Code of Conduct and Social Media Guidelines. While you may hold personal beliefs about the efficacy or safety of some public health initiatives, you must make sure that any comments you make on social media are consistent with the codes, standards and guidelines of the profession and do not contradict or counter public health campaigns or messaging. A registered dental practitioner who makes comments, endorses or shares information which contradicts the best available scientific evidence may give legitimacy to false health-related information and breach their professional responsibilities. Practitioners need to take care when commenting, sharing or ‘liking’ such content if not supported by best available scientific evidence.

Stakeholder engagement

Engagement with stakeholders continues to be a priority for the Council. Regular meetings/interaction has occurred with the Dental Board of Australia.  During 2020, representatives from the Australian Dental Association (ADA); the Australian Dental Prosthetists Association (ADPA); the Australian Dental & Oral Health Therapists’ Association (ADOHTA), and the Dental Hygienists Association of Australia also attended Council meetings to report on their work and to discuss issues with the Council.

The Council continues to contribute at both a national and state level with dental stakeholder groups established to collaborate and to share information relevant to dental practitioners and students.

As the year draws to a close, on behalf of the Council I would like to extend my best wishes to you all.  I hope you get the opportunity to take a well-earned break over the festive period and to enjoy time with family and friends.  I wish you all the best for 2021.  

Conjoint Associate Professor F. Shane Fryer OAM

President

Information sheet: Infection control inspections and audits of records

Under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW) (National Law (NSW)), the Council has the power to conduct an inspection/audit.  Inspections/audits are generally conducted to:

• investigate a complaint
• confirm compliance with the Dental Board of Australia’s approved standards/codes/guidelines
• confirm compliance with any conditions placed on registration.

The Council has recently developed an information sheet for dental practitioners that outlines the Council’s inspection/audit process and it can be accessed via the Council’s website.

The Council continues to undertake random infection control inspections and the newly developed information sheet, as well as the Council’s infection control checklist, should assist practitioners if an inspection/audit is carried out at their practice.

Dental Board of Australia retires guidelines on dental records

As you may be aware, in October 2020 the Dental Board of Australia retired its Guidelines on record keeping.  The Code of Conduct continues to provide guidance to dental practitioners about health-record management.

The Board has also made available new resources for dental practitioners to assist them in complying with their obligations under the Code of Conduct, and these include a fact sheet and a self-reflective tool.  The resources are available on the Board’s website.

Dental Council of NSW education and research grants

The primary role of the Council is to protect the public by managing complaints about conduct, performance and health matters concerning registered dental practitioners practising in NSW and health and conduct matters related to registered students training in NSW.

Under section 41S of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW) the Council may establish an Education and Research Account to provide funding for research and education purposes relating to the health, performance and conduct of registered dental practitioners and students.

The Council’s Education and Research Program provides Grants to applicants to undertake approved research/education projects – up to $10,000 per application. Grants are available to applicants who are registered dental practitioners (all divisions) whose principal place of practice is in NSW, or registered students (all divisions) training in NSW. Grants may be awarded to individuals, groups or institutions.

Examples of the types of projects the Council may support include:

· Identification of areas of need in the Council’s regulatory programs. For example, deficiencies in educational programs that lead to registration, identification of risk factors associated with complaints, or the assessment of outcomes relating to health, performance or conduct pathways

· Development and evaluation of Continuing Professional Development courses or training that will support the Council’s regulatory activities. For example, professional ethics, regulatory processes, or training for members of the Council, Tribunals or Panels

· Preparation, coordination and conduct of conferences to convey outcomes of research relevant to the Council’s regulatory work.

The Research and Education Grants Guidelines provide further information about the application process.  To apply, please use the Research and Education Grants Application Form.

The Council calls for applications twice a year.  Applications for the mid-year round of funding open on 1 March and close on 1 May, and the end of year round of funding opens on 1 September and closes on 1 November.

Please place a reminder in your calendars now and lodge your application prior to the closing date!

For more information, please visit the Council’s website.

Dental Board of Australia’s Revised Scope of Practice Registration Standard

On 1 July 2020, the Dental Board of Australia’s (DBA) revised scope of practice registration standard took effect.  The standard outlines the obligations placed on practitioners.

Practitioners in all divisions of dental registration must only perform dental treatment for which they have been educated, trained and are competent and:

• is within their own scope of practice 
• falls within the definition of dentistry, and 
• falls within the scope of their dental practitioner division.

A dental practitioner must not direct any person whether a registered dental practitioner or not to undertake dental treatment or give advice outside that person’s education or competence.

The DBA has developed a Know your scope portal on its website which provides further information and useful resources for practitioners.  The Council recommends that all practitioners review the information, including the DBA’s Scope of practice registration standard and Scope of practice guidelines.

Health and wellbeing support service for dental practitioners

The Dental Board of Australia (DBA) has funded a nationwide health and wellbeing support service for dental practitioners.

Dental Practitioner Support is the first national 24/7 telephone and online service for all dental practitioners. The service also offers support to dental students, educators, employers, Australian Dental Council exam candidates and concerned family members.

An experienced team of counsellors will provide confidential and immediate support, advice and referral on a wide range of health and wellbeing related issues. The service runs independently of the DBA.  Anyone calling the service does not have to give their name.

Access Dental Practitioner Support: 1800 377 700 or dpsupport.org.au

If you are experiencing difficulties, the Council strongly recommends you access this free and anonymous service.