No Images? Click here August 2019 Newsletter![]() Message from the PresidentThe Dental Council of New South Wales has increased the complaints component of the registration fee for NSW dental practitioners for 2019/20. This will ensure the Council can continue its work to regulate the profession in NSW and protect public health and safety. The fee covers the registration period for dental practitioners from 1 December 2019 to 30 November 2020. All NSW practising dental practitioners will see an increase in the complaints component of the total registration fee paid to AHPRA. The total registration fee has a complaints component that funds the work of the Council and the Dental Board of Australia sets the rest of the fee and announces the total fee in September. For the complaints component of the fee, dentists and specialists will pay $592, dental prosthetists will pay $568, and dental hygienists, dental therapists and oral health therapists will pay $286. The complaints component of the fee for non-practising registrations of dentists and specialists and dental prosthetists will increase to $72 and $81 respectively, while non-practising dental hygienists, dental therapists and oral health therapists will pay $36. These changes are necessary to allow the Council to effectively regulate our profession and it is noted that the Council has also experienced an increase in complaints and associated regulatory activity, such as inspections of dental practices to ensure compliance with infection control guidelines. It is important to be aware that the Council is funded solely from practitioner registration fees. While it is recognised that this is a large increase in the complaints component of the registration fee it is emphasised that this is required to ensure the Dental Council has sufficient resources to act as an effective regulator to protect the public and maintain trust and confidence in the profession. The Council has made considered projections concerning future costs. This fee increase will enable the Council to manage the increasing volume and complexity of regulatory activities. Conjoint Associate Professor F. Shane
Fryer OAM News from the CouncilApply now: Dental Council of NSW Education and Research Grants 2019The primary role of the Dental Council of New South Wales (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. Applications open on 1 September 2019 and close on 1 November 2019. Engagement framework between the Council and StakeholdersThe Council continues to engage with stakeholders on issues pertaining to patient safety and dental practitioners’ compliance with approved guidelines and acceptable standards of practice. This engagement involves the Dental Board of Australia, Health Care Complaints Commission, professional associations and indemnifiers, universities and the Doctors’ Health Advisory Service. This engagement framework recognises the importance of partnership/engagement between our organisations. It also creates a platform to further develop engagement through collaborative work including, for example, research and education/engagement with the profession. A number of topics have been canvassed to date and these include: · the ongoing review of standards/guidelines/policies relating to practice in NSW. This has included scope of practice, infection control and record keeping · the management of complaints about dental practitioners in NSW and any changes required to improve the process for both complainants and practitioners. The aim being to remove any inefficiencies and unnecessary steps in the process · mechanisms for anticipating and proactively addressing emerging issues and risks in the profession that relate to patient safety · the further development of support services for registered dental practitioners and dental students. The Council looks forward to ongoing collaboration opportunities with these organisations.
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