Hospital Dentists

We provide an excellent service for clinicians working in a hospital environment where the problems frequently differ from other areas of dentistry. Dental Protection offers you support with:

Complaints

For many years, the whole team from hospital consultants down to house officers appear to have had some degree of immunity to complaints. Times have changed and dentists, like any other professional, are expected by patients and the Trust to be accountable for their acts and omissions, even although a patient's complaint or claim may be mainly directed towards the Trust or Health Board. Dental Protection’s team of advisers are very experienced in helping members deal with patient complaints both in primary and secondary care. We are able to advise on reports and responses made to employing Trusts in response to patient complaints, in an effort to achieve successful local resolution.

Professional performance

Clinical governance has an increasing role to play in hospital medicine and dentistry and from time to time Dental Protection is asked to assist members who are accused of under-performing. This can be a very worrying time for any member who may feel professionally isolated when they are the subject of an investigation by the Trust, National Clinical Assessment Service (NCAS) or the GDC and GMC. Our dento-legal advisers have considerable experience in dealing with such situations and can assist or represent a member either personally or, if necessary, with a member of our extensive legal team.

In the past we have successfully challenged Trusts and Health Boards over their reluctance to allow legal representation at a Trust disciplinary procedure, especially when the allegations are of a serious nature.

Frequently asked questions