Complaints handling: a step-by-step approach

Saturday 7 October 2023, 4.30pm-5.15pm, London

Enhanced CPD Theatre, Hall N9, ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1XL

Aimed at all members of the dental team, this lecture highlighted key stages of the complaint-handling process, and discussed worked examples using real patient complaints.

It was delivered by Dr George Wright MCGDent, Deputy Dental Director of Dental Protection and Chief Examiner at the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians. After qualifying from the University of Sheffield and completing Foundation Training, Dr Wright moved straight into NHS general dental practice, later becoming a Foundation Trainer in South Yorkshire, and Training Programme Director for Performer List Validation by Experience in Yorkshire and the Humber. He joined Dental Protection part-time in 2016, became a full-time Dento-legal Consultant in 2018, and in 2020 was appointed Senior Dental Educator in Risk Prevention, and subsequently Deputy Dental Director. He continues to work clinically within a family-friendly private dental practice.

Objective:

  • At the end of the session, attendees will understand the best way to handle a complaint using a step-by-step approach

Learning outcomes:

  • Understand key stages of the complaint handling process
  • Understand how early intervention can help to avoid unnecessary escalation of a complaint
  • Appreciate the differing requirements for responding to verbal and written complaints
  • Understand the importance of self-care when in receipt of a complaint

CPD:

  • 0.75 hours

GDC development outcomes:

  • A

This lecture was free to attend for both members and non-members of the College, and is one of five College sessions at Dentistry Show London 2023, a two-day conference hosting over 100 CPD lectures, 180 exhibitors and over 3,000 dental professionals. It is not possible to register specifically for this lecture in advance, but those wishing to attend will need to register for Dentistry Show London 2023 either in advance or on the day.

Conference visitors are also encouraged to drop by Stand G52 to meet College representatives.

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Managing medical emergencies in the dental practice

Saturday 7 October 2023, 2.00pm-2.45pm, London

Enhanced CPD Theatre, Hall N9, ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1XL

This lecture offered delegates up-to-date knowledge in order to sustain life when a medical emergency occurs in general dental practice.

It was delivered by Dr Sukhvinder Singh Atthi FCGDent, a lecturer in oral surgery at the University of Birmingham, and Tier II-accredited Oral Surgeon who treats nervous minor oral surgery patients with intravenous sedation. With 25 years’ experience working as an associate then principal dentist in general dental practice, he has also worked part-time in the Community Dental Service and spent part of his vocational training working in oral maxillofacial surgery units. He holds Master’s degrees in both Orthodontics and Oral Surgery, Postgraduate Certificates in Conscious Sedation, Leadership & Management and Learning & Teaching in Higher Education, the Diploma of Fellowship and Certificates in both Minor Oral Surgery and Dental Practice Appraisal from the FGDP(UK), and is qualified to ILM Level 5 in Coaching and Mentoring in Management. He is a Fellow of the College of General Dentistry and Higher Education Academy, an experienced dental trainer, and has been a board member of CGDent West Midlands (previously the FGDP West Midlands Division) since 2013.

Objective:

  • To enable the early recognition and management of deterioration in a patient that may become medically compromised during their dental treatment
  • To understand how to use mandatory drugs within an medical emergency

Learning outcomes:

  • Awareness and management of medical emergencies within dental practice
  • Review mandatory audit processes for drugs to use in medical emergencies
  • Knowledge of how to deal with an unconscious patient
  • Recognise and manage suspected sepsis

CPD:

  • 0.75 hours

GDC development outcomes:

  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D

This lecture was free to attend for both members and non-members of the College, and is one of five College sessions at Dentistry Show London 2023, a two-day conference hosting over 100 CPD lectures, 180 exhibitors and over 3,000 dental professionals. It is not possible to register specifically for this lecture in advance, but those wishing to attend will need to register for Dentistry Show London 2023 either in advance or on the day.

Conference visitors are also encouraged to drop by Stand G52 to meet College representatives.

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The mental health and well-being of dental staff

Saturday 7 October 2023, 9.15am-10.00am, London

Enhanced CPD Theatre, Hall N9, ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1XL

The practice of dentistry is challenging, and there is a body of evidence demonstrating high levels of stress-related burnout and impact on the well-being of dental professionals. This lecture explored common sources of stress and the evidence of the extent of their impact on well-being in the dental profession, and outlined evidence-based approaches to managing the well-being of the dental team.

It was delivered by Professor Tim Newton, a psychologist who has spent over 30 years working in dental settings. Professor of Psychology as Applied to Dentistry at King’s College London and Honorary Consultant Health Psychologist to Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, he has undertaken a range of research and service delivery addressing the well-being of all those working in dentistry, including developing resources to support the mental health and well-being of the dental team. His clinical work is focussed on individuals with dental phobia, and support for individuals facing challenging dental procedures.

Objective:

  • To provide an overview of the published information on the well-being of the dental team, including the impact of stress and burnout, and identify evidence-based approaches to tackling the impact of stress and burnout on well-being

Learning outcomes:

  • Identify the common sources of stress identified in dental practice
  • Outline the extent of burnout and stress-related impact on well-being amongst members of the dental team
  • Describe techniques for alleviating work related stress in dental settings
  • Plan steps to alleviate personal stress

CPD:

  • 0.75 hours

GDC development outcomes:

  • B

This lecture was free to attend for both members and non-members of the College, and is one of five College sessions at Dentistry Show London 2023, a two-day conference hosting over 100 CPD lectures, 180 exhibitors and over 3,000 dental professionals. It is not possible to register specifically for this lecture in advance, but those wishing to attend will need to register for Dentistry Show London 2023 either in advance or on the day.

Conference visitors are also encouraged to drop by Stand G52 to meet College representatives.

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Record-keeping in the real world of general dental practice

Friday 6 October 2023, 1.15pm-2.00pm, London

Enhanced CPD Theatre, Hall N9, ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1XL

This lecture discussed the importance of comprehensive and accurate record-keeping, and why it is fundamental for good clinical practice and essential for delivering quality patient care.

It was delivered by Dr Abhi Pal FCGDent, Principal of a mixed NHS-and-private dental practice and the first elected President of the College of General Dentistry. Dr Pal has worked in general dental practice since qualifying with honours and distinction from Guy’s Hospital, London, in 1987, and has practised at the The University Dental and Implant Centre in Birmingham since 1991. Editor of the College’s Training Standards in Implant Dentistry and Co-Editor of its Mentoring in Implant Dentistry: Good Practice Guidelines, he was elected to represent the West Midlands region on the National Board of the Faculty of General Dental Practice UK in 2014, re-elected in 2017 and 2020, and was the Faculty’s eleventh and final Dean. In 2019 he was Guest Editor of the Primary Dental Journal issue focussed on dento-legal matters.

Objective:

  • At the end of the session attendees will have an understanding of the current guidance and best practice for dental record-keeping

Learning outcomes:

  • Understand what constitutes effective record-keeping in dentistry
  • Understand the dento-legal issues that can arise when storing, sharing and disposing of patient records

CPD:

  • 0.75 hours

GDC development outcomes:

  • A
  • D

This lecture was free to attend for both members and non-members of the College, and is one of five College sessions at Dentistry Show London 2023, a two-day conference hosting over 100 CPD lectures, 180 exhibitors and over 3,000 dental professionals. It is not possible to register specifically for this lecture in advance, but those wishing to attend will need to register for Dentistry Show London 2023 either in advance or on the day.

Conference visitors are also encouraged to drop by Stand G52 to meet College representatives.

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Sustainability in dentistry and healthcare

Friday 6 October 2023, 9.15am-10.00am, London

Enhanced CPD Theatre, Hall N9, ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1XL

This lecture explored what sustainability means and how the dental sector can contribute to sustainability goals. It will cover the work of the FDI World Dental Federation, the BDA, CGDent and organisations such as the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, and explore how individual dental professionals and practices can best contribute.

It was delivered by Professor Paul Batchelor FCGDent, Associate and Dental Group Chair of the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, and a contributor to the FDI’s report on sustainability in dentistry. Honorary Clinical Professor at the University of Central Lancashire School of Medicine and Dentistry and an Honorary Lecturer at University College London, he is also co-lead of the NHS Complete Care Community Programme and Chief Assessor for Intercollegiate Faculty Specialist Examination in Dental Public Health. He is a Fellow of the College of General Dentistry, the Faculty of Public Health and the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, holds a PhD from the University of London and is Editor of the College’s Dementia-Friendly Dentistry: Good Practice Guidelines. He is a past Vice Dean, Chief Fellowship Assessor and National Research Facilitator of the FGDP(UK) and was Course Director of its Diploma in Leadership and Management. He has also served as President of the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry, Advisor to the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee and as an ORE examiner.

Objective:

  • At the end of the session attendees will have an understanding of sustainability and how they can contribute to addressing the issues

Learning outcomes:

  • Provide a definition of what sustainability means
  • Explore the impact that the delivery of dental care makes
  • Understand how the individual can contribute

CPD:

  • 0.75 hours

GDC development outcomes:

  • B

This lecture was free to attend for both members and non-members of the College, and is one of five College sessions at Dentistry Show London 2023, a two-day conference hosting over 100 CPD lectures, 180 exhibitors and over 3,000 dental professionals. It is not possible to register specifically for this lecture in advance, but those wishing to attend will need to register for Dentistry Show London 2023 either in advance or on the day.

Conference visitors are also encouraged to drop by Stand G52 to meet College representatives.

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Dentistry Show London

Friday 6- Saturday 7 October 2023, 9.00am – 5.30pm, London

Hall N9, ExCeL LondonRoyal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1XL

The College was a key education partner for Dentistry Show London 2023, hosting five lectures in the Enhanced CPD Theatre during the two-day conference.

The College welcomed members and non-members alike to its sessions, with experts in their fields sharing their knowledge and giving advice on a range of subjects encompassing clinical dentistry and professionalism. Sessions included:

Friday 6 October:

Saturday 7 October:

Delegates had access to over 100 CPD lectures in all across multiple lecture theatres, as well as over 180 exhibiting suppliers, and the opportunity to network among over 3,000 dentists, dental therapists, dental hygienists, dental nurses, practice managers, dental technicians and laboratory owners.

College representatives were available throughout the conference at Stand G52 to talk to delegates about our vision for the profession, the benefits of membership and fellowship, and to answer questions.

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Shamir Mehta, Subir Banerji and Jason Leitch to lead study day

The College has announced Professor Shamir Mehta FCGDent, Dr Subir Banerji FCGDent and Professor Jason Leitch CBE FFGDP(UK)(Hon.) FCGDent as the speakers at its annual study day in Glasgow.

l-r: Professor Shamir Mehta FCGDent, Dr Subir Banerji FCGDent and Professor Jason Leitch CBE FFGDP(UK)(Hon.) FCGDent

Professor Mehta and Dr Banerji will deliver a series of lectures entitled Wearabouts – the how, what, wear and why of managing tooth wear in general dental practice, which will present the current evidence on tooth wear, provide a guide to managing tooth wear in general dental practice, and illustrate the clinical techniques applied in the rehabilitation of the worn dentition.

Professor Leitch will then deliver the annual Caldwell Memorial Lecture on Recovering from a Pandemic: NHS Scotland’s legacy post-COVID.

Shamir Mehta is a Professor and Course Lead for the MSc in Restorative Dentistry at the College of Medicine and Dentistry and Ulster University, Senior Clinical Teacher and Director of the MSc in Aesthetic Dentistry at King’s College London, and Visiting Professor and PhD supervisor at Radboud University, where he is part of the Radboud Tooth Wear Project. He has published papers, written book chapters and co-authored/co-edited textbooks on tooth wear and aesthetic dentistry, and is a member of the European Expert Consensus Panel on Severe Tooth Wear. In addition to his BDS, he holds a BSc, a Master’s in Clinical Dentistry in Prosthodontics and a PhD, as well as the Diploma of Fellowship of the former Faculty of General Dental Practice and Fellowships of the International College of Dentists, College of General Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and Faculty of Dental Trainers of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He is also a partner in two dental practices in Harrow, Senior Clinical Dental Advisor to the GDC on Fitness to Practise, and chaired the Careers Pathways Reference Group which guided the development of the College of General Dentistry’s Professional Framework for Career Pathways in Dentistry.

Subir Banerji is the Programme Director of the MSc in Aesthetic Dentistry and a PhD supervisor at King’s College London, co-author of books including Practical Procedures in the Management of Tooth Wear and Practical Procedures in Aesthetic Dentistry, and an Associate Professor in Prosthodontics at Melbourne Dental School. A general dental practitioner in the same private dental practice in Ealing which he joined after graduating from Newcastle Dental School in 1987, he is particularly interested in restorative, aesthetic, prosthodontic and implant dentistry, and has over 20 years’ experience of teaching undergraduate and postgraduate dentists both nationally and internationally. He has completed both a Master’s in Clinical Dentistry in Prosthodontics and a PhD from King’s College London, and is a Fellow of the International College of Dentists, International Congress of Oral Implantologists, International Academy for Dental Facial Esthetics, College of General Dentistry and the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. He is an advisor to the General Dental Council, on the editorial board of the Academy of Dental Excellence, director of his own postgraduate educational academy, and Head of Continuing Medical Education at i2i Telesolutions Pvt Ltd. In 2022 he was elected to the CGDent Council to represent members in Central London.

Professor Mehta and Dr Banerji also guest-edited the well-received most recent issue of the College’s Primary Dental Journal, Aesthetic Dentistry – Part One, with the much anticipated Part Two due to be distributed to College members at the end of September.

Jason Leitch is the National Clinical Director for Scotland, and became a popular and well-known figure to broadcast media audiences throughout the UK for the clarity of his communication during the COVID-19 pandemic. After graduating from Glasgow Dental School in 1991, he undertook training posts prior to becoming a clinical lecturer in oral surgery and sedation and honorary consultant in oral surgery. In 2005 he became the first dental professional to be awarded a Health Foundation Quality Improvement Fellowship to study at Harvard, where he later completed a Master’s in Public Health, and in 2004 he completed a PhD at the University of Glasgow. He has worked for the Scottish Government since 2007, with previous roles including National Clinical Lead for Safety and Improvement and National Clinical Lead for Quality. An Honorary Professor at both Dundee and Strathclyde universities, he is also a member of the US National Academy of Medicine, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in Boston, and a Fellow of the College of General Dentistry, the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the Higher Education Academy. He was awarded Honorary Fellowship of the former Faculty of General Dental Practice (FGDP) in 2020, and is a CGDent Ambassador, a non-executive board member of the MDDUS and a past Chair of both the GDC Conduct Committee and GDC Health Committee. He was awarded a CBE in 2019.

The annual study day, organised by CGDent Scotland, takes place at Glasgow Science Centre on the first Friday in December – 1 December this year – and includes six hours of CPD. Finishing with a drinks reception, the day is attended by up to 400 dental professionals from across Scotland and the wider UK, and for its many regular attendees also marks the start of the festive social season.

The Caldwell Memorial Lecture, delivered annually at the end of the study day, is held in memory of Robert Craig Caldwell, who graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1950 and became a much-loved Dean of the School of Dentistry at the University of California, Los Angeles, before he died of leukaemia at the age of just 44.

The study day is open to all dental professionals, and can be attended in person or virtually.

Fee discounts are available to College members as follows: College dentist members can buy their tickets for just £149 until 9pm on Thursday 31 August, and £249 thereafter, compared to the full rate for non-member dentists of £349. The concessionary rate for dental technicians, dental hygienists, dental therapists, dental nurses, practice managers, Foundation Dentists and retired practitioners is £149, but for College members in these categories it is just £129.

Breakfast, a three-course lunch, refreshments throughout the day and evening drinks are all included in the attendance fee, and there is an accompanying trade exhibition to visit.

Other discounts to the full rate are available to recent graduates, members of the CGDent Scotland study group and members of the Glasgow Odontological Society. Year 5 dental students at the University of Glasgow and University of Dundee will also be hosted.

The event is supported by Scottish Dental Care, Martin Aitken, Nexus Dental Laboratory, Real Good Dental, Strictly Confidental, Bryant Dental, Clyde Munro, Coltene, the DDU, GC UK, Haleon, IWT, Kerr, MDDUS, Orascoptic, NHS National Services Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland, Septodont, WEL Medical and Wright’s.

For further information, visit our events pages.

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CPD submission reminder

Colleagues are reminded that Monday 28 August 2023 is the deadline for all dental professionals other than dentists to submit an annual CPD statement detailing professional development activity undertaken between and 1 August 2022 and 31 July 2023.

Delegates at the annual CGDent Scotland Study Day held at Glasgow Science Centre

The GDC requires dental therapists, dental hygienists, orthodontic therapists and clinical dental technicians to complete a minimum of 75 hours of verifiable CPD every five years, and dental nurses and dental technicians a minimum of 50 hours.

All dental professionals need to complete at least 10 hours of verifiable CPD during any two-year period, and must submit an annual CPD statement whether or not they have undertaken any CPD in the preceding 12 months.

The next submission deadline for dentists is 28 January 2024, covering education undertaken during 2023.


The College offers members access to a wide range of CPD opportunities:

CPD library

Free, on-demand access to a library of around 1000 hours of certified, GDC-compliant CPD. To access the content, log in to www.prodentalcpd.com using the details sent to you following your transfer/entry into College membership.

Live webinars

Live, College-hosted webinars covering a wide range of subjects are available free to members every month, powered by ProDental. Webinars this year have included:

Members also have free access to all of ProDental’s regular live webinars.

And if you miss a live webinar, you’ll find it in the online library within around 24 hours.

Details of all past and upcoming webinars can be found here

Study Days

Members receive heavily discounted attendance fees for the College’s study days and events as well as some events organised by third parties. The following are currently scheduled:

Details of all recent and upcoming study days and events can be found here

Stay up-to-date with news about our webinars, study days and member discounts by ensuring you are signed up to the College’s monthly newsletter here

Third party resources

The College also recommends the following online resources developed by third parties, each of which offers free CPD:

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Bruxism diagnosis management

Friday 29 September 2023, London

Royal Society of Medicine, 1 Wimpole Street, Westminster, London, W1G 0AE

Bruxism can cause multiple debilitating problems throughout the body and can be difficult to diagnose and even harder to manage.

This one-day course was designed to help clinicians, including dental professionals, understand the condition and learn how to diagnose it sooner and create realistic and achievable multi-disciplinary treatment plans.

Expert speakers explored the cause and effects of Bruxism, discuss diagnosis and examined possible treatments. The programme ends with a Q&A session with Professor Gilles Lavigne.

Speakers:

  • Barabara Carey, Consultant in oral medicine
  • Luke Cascarini, Consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon and head and neck surgeon
  • Gilles Lavigne, Specialist in oral medicine
  • Sara McNeillis, Consultant in sleep medicine and anaesthesia
  • Javier Moraleda, consultant ENT
  • Clare Simon,  lead and founder of The London Dental Sleep Clinic

Fees:

  • Dentist £150
  • Dental Team £99

**COLLEGE MEMBERS RECEIVE 20% DISCOUNT IF THEY BOOK BY MIDNIGHT ON MONDAY 31 JULY 2023**

(You must sign in to the website in order to view the member discount code)

For more information on the Bruxism Diagnosis Management course, click here.

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The Hall Technique

CGDent on-demand webinar, Thursday 21 September 2023

This CGDent on-demand webinar explores the use of the Hall Technique for managing caries in primary molars and focuses on the theory, indications and contraindications for the use of the Hall Technique. Tips for the placement of Hall crowns, the structuring of appointments, challenges with the Hall technique and how to overcome potential difficulties which may arise are discussed. 

Speakers:

  • Reuben Bennett, DCT2 currently working in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral Medicine in Bristol
  • Yi Loo, Registrar in Paediatric Dentistry at King’s College Hospital, London
  • Nabeel Ilyas, Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry, Registrar in Birmingham Community NHS trust and Birmingham Children’s Hospital

CPD approx 1.5 hours

GCD development outcomes: C

This recorded webinar is hosted by the College of General Dentistry and powered by our CPD delivery partner, ProDental CPD – watch below.

It is free to view live for all dental professionals, and College members also have free access to the recorded webinar and can claim CPD hours for free. A £20 fee will apply for non-members who wish to claim CPD.

Membership of the College of General Dentistry is open to all registered dental professionals.  Membership is available from £125 per year for dentists, from £83 for other dental professionals, and from £42 for Dental Nurses and those eligible for a concession. See the full list of CGDent membership rates here.

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