Dental Hygienists Scale and Polish
At Thames Street Dental, we regularly remind our patients and readers about the importance of regular dental checkups, and recommend a regular scale and polish with one of our dentists or dental hygienists.
The UK government recently announced new powers which were granted to dental hygienists and pharmacy staff, including dental therapists and hygienists, aimed at improving patient access to care. These dental professionals can now supply and administer certain medicines, such as tooth pain relief and fluoride, without a dentist’s sign-off.
This change is expected to streamline care delivery, reducing bureaucracy and freeing up dentists’ time for more patient-facing clinical services. These measures are part of broader efforts, including the NHS Dental Recovery Plan, to enhance primary care access and reduce NHS dentistry waiting lists.
This development underscores the value of dental professionals working at the full scope of their practice, benefiting both patients and the healthcare system at large (GOV.UK). Our dentists support these changes, recognising the potential for more efficient practice operations and enhanced patient care, but for the time being, will continue to provide dentist approval and oversight for all medication supplied and administered to patients at Thames Street Dental in Kingston. We reserve the right to review this decision in the future, and may utilise the exemption once we gain more confidence in the process, training provided to dental hygienists and once we have fully assessed the potential challenges which could occur as a result of this change.
NHS dental care in the UK has been under considerable strain for many years, with demand for appointments outstripping supply, leading to extended waiting times for patients. This strain was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which introduced further delays in treatment and routine check-ups on the NHS, contributing to a backlog of dental care needs. Amid these challenges, the government and dental professionals have been seeking ways to improve efficiency within dental practices, ensuring that patients can access the care they need in a timely manner.
Historically, the scope of practice for dental therapists and dental hygienists has been limited, with certain procedures and the administration of medicines requiring direct oversight or prescription by a dentist. This arrangement, while ensuring patient safety and care quality, has also introduced bottlenecks in treatment workflows, with dentists becoming the bottleneck for many routine but essential services.
Recognising the need for a more fluid and efficient approach to dental care, the UK government, following extensive consultation with dental professionals and the public, has introduced new regulations. These changes are aimed at expanding the roles of dental therapists and hygienists, enabling them to perform a wider range of duties and administer specific medicines without the need for a dentist’s prior approval. This shift is part of a broader effort to decentralise care delivery within dental practices, allowing dentists to focus on more complex cases and procedures while entrusting routine dental care and preventive dental care to capable and qualified dental therapists and hygienists who have undergone suitable training.
The decision to grant these new powers was not made lightly but is the culmination of careful consideration of the benefits and potential risks, with a strong emphasis on maintaining the high standards of patient care the public expects and deserves. By leveraging the full skill set of dental professionals, the government aims to alleviate the pressure on dental services, reduce dentist waiting times, and ultimately, improve patient outcomes.
Below is the summary of new powers for dental hygienists and dental therapists:
Dental therapists and dental hygienists can now supply and administer specific medicines to patients without the need for a prescription or direct supervision by a dentist. This includes a range of over-the-counter and prescription medications, such as pain relief and fluoride treatments, which are commonly used in dental care.
The changes enable these professionals to carry out a broader range of dental treatments. While the exact dental treatments have not been exhaustively listed, the focus is on routine and preventive dental care, increasing the accessibility of these services to the public.
With the ability to administer certain medications independently, dental therapists and dental hygienists can offer more comprehensive care during their sessions. This autonomy allows for more efficient use of dental clinic time and resources, enabling dentists to focus on more complex dental cases and dental surgeries.
This change is a small step in the right direction. Overall, it would not make a big impact to most smaller or private dental practices such as Thames Street Dental. If the government identifies additional suitable efficiencies, reductiion of unecessary regulation and red tape, the combination of these changes could have a much larger benefit to all dental practices in the UK.
The following benefits could be gained from these changes:
One of the primary objectives of these changes is to enhance patient access to NHS dental care. By empowering dental therapists and hygienists to perform additional treatments and administer certain medications without a dentist’s direct supervision, patients can receive timely care. This is particularly crucial for routine dental check-ups, preventive dental care, and basic dental treatment procedures, which constitute a significant portion of dental services. Reducing the dependency on dentists for such services not only alleviates the burden on dental professionals but also ensures patients can receive care with reduced waiting times.
The new regulations are designed to streamline operations within dental practices. By broadening the scope of practice for dental therapists and dental hygienists, dental teams can optimise the distribution of tasks based on the complexity of dental care required. This leads to a more efficient use of the dentist’s time, focusing on complex and specialised treatments that require their expertise. Consequently, dental practices can serve more patients effectively, improving overall service delivery and patient satisfaction.
These changes recognise the valuable skills and contributions of dental therapists and dental hygienists, further integrating them into the core dental care team. This empowerment is likely to lead to increased job satisfaction and morale among these professionals, as they are able to fully utilise their training and skills. Furthermore, it opens up new pathways for professional development and career advancement within dental practices, enhancing the appeal of these roles in the healthcare sector.
By facilitating easier access to routine and preventive care, the new powers granted to dental therapists and hygienists are expected to promote a greater emphasis on preventive dental health. This shift towards prevention can play a significant role in improving public oral health outcomes, reducing the occurence of dental diseases and conditions that require more intensive and costly dental treatments.
Enhancing the efficiency of dental services and expanding access to preventive care contribute to the long-term sustainability of NHS dentistry. By preventing dental issues from escalating into serious health problems, the changes can lead to a reduction in healthcare costs associated with more invasive treatments and emergency dental care.
As mentioned, Thames Street Dental will not be implementing these changes initially. We will review this in the future, once we have gained industry insights to ensure that the training provided is suitable, and the following risks are minimised:
The expansion of dental therapists’ and dental hygienists’ roles introduces concerns about maintaining the high standards of patient care that the public expects. The delegation of additional responsibilities, such as the administration of certain medicines, must not compromise the quality of dental care. Ensuring that all dental professionals are equipped to provide dental treatments safely and effectively is paramount. The risk lies in the potential variability in the quality of care if these professionals are not uniformly prepared/trained for their expanded roles.
With these new powers comes the need for robust oversight mechanisms to ensure these expanded roles are executed within the bounds of safety and professionalism. Effective oversight is essential to maintain public trust and ensure that the delegation of tasks does not lead to fragmented care or dilution of responsibility. There must be clear guidelines and accountability structures in place to govern the expanded scope of practice, ensuring that patient welfare remains the utmost priority.
The question arises whether the current training programs for dental therapists and dental hygienists adequately prepare them for their expanded roles. As the scope of practice widens, there’s a pressing need to review and potentially enhance educational curricula to include more comprehensive pharmacology, diagnosis, and treatment planning components. This ensures that as these professionals take on more responsibilities, they are fully equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver care safely and effectively.
Patient safety remains a critical concern, especially regarding the safe administration of medicines. Expanding the ability of dental therapists and hygienists to prescribe and administer drugs independently raises questions about the safeguards in place to prevent medication errors and ensure appropriate use. It’s vital that stringent protocols are established and followed to mitigate risks and protect patient health at every stage of care.
The expansion of dental therapists’ and dental hygienists’ roles under the new UK government regulations may significantly impact professional dynamics within dental practices, particularly when it comes to professional boundaries. As these dental professionals begin to undertake more responsibilities traditionally reserved for dentists, there could be shifts in team hierarchies, role perceptions, and collaborative practices. While these changes hold the promise of creating more efficient, team-based care models, there’s also a potential risk of ambiguity in roles leading to operational inefficiencies or tensions. Clear communication, well-defined roles, and ongoing training will be essential in navigating these changes, ensuring that all members of the dental team can work together harmoniously towards the common goal of providing high-quality patient care.
The recent regulatory changes granting new powers to dental therapists and hygienists are poised to significantly influence dentists’ roles within the healthcare ecosystem, potentially reshaping their relationships with patients. As routine and preventative care tasks are increasingly delegated, dentists may find themselves concentrating more on complex and specialised procedures, altering the traditional dentist-patient dynamic. This shift could enhance the dentist’s role as a specialist within dental practices, offering deeper engagement in challenging cases. However, it also raises questions about patient perceptions and the value placed on the dentist’s role in regular dental health maintenance. Successfully navigating this transition will require dentists to adapt to new models of patient interaction and care delivery, emphasising the collaborative nature of modern dental practice and reinforcing the integral role of dentists in overseeing comprehensive dental care.
The broadening of dental therapists’ and dental hygienists’ scopes of practice introduces a complex array of regulatory and legal implications that must be carefully navigated to ensure the continued provision of safe and effective dental care. Key challenges include updating professional standards and practice guidelines to reflect these new roles, ensuring that legal frameworks adequately protect both practitioners and patients under the expanded scope of practice. Moreover, there will be a need to address potential liability issues and revise insurance policies to cover the broader range of services provided by these dental professionals. Regulatory bodies, alongside healthcare policymakers, will need to work closely with professional associations to develop clear, comprehensive guidelines that facilitate the smooth integration of these changes into existing practice models, all while safeguarding the high standards of patient care and safety that are the hallmark of the dental profession.
The introduction of new powers for dental therapists and hygienists in the UK represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of dental care delivery, aimed at enhancing efficiency and accessibility within the NHS dental system. At Thames Street Dental, while we embrace the potential for streamlined operations and improved patient care, we approach these changes with a commitment to uphold the highest standards of dental excellence that our patients have come to expect. We recognise the necessity of adapting to the changing landscape of dental practice, yet we proceed with caution, prioritising the maintenance of quality care, patient safety, and the integrity of the dentist-patient relationship. Our decision to continue requiring dentist oversight for the administration of certain medicines is a testament to our dedication to these principles. As we monitor the unfolding impacts of these regulatory changes, we remain open to evolving our practices in alignment with the best interests of our patients and the broader dental community. This proactive, patient-centric approach ensures that Thames Street Dental not only adheres to the current best practices but also remains at the forefront of adopting innovations that genuinely enhance the quality and accessibility of dental care for all.
As we navigate through these changes in dental care delivery, your feedback and experiences are invaluable to us at Thames Street Dental. We encourage our patients and the wider community to engage with us, sharing your thoughts on these new developments and how they might impact your dental care experience. Whether it’s by email, or during your next visit, let us know your perspectives. Together, we can ensure that these regulatory changes truly benefit those they are meant to serve: you, our patients. Stay informed, stay connected, and let’s shape the future of dental care together.
For any questions or to discuss how these changes may affect your treatment, don’t hesitate to contact us or book your next appointment online. Your voice matters in this evolving landscape of dental health.
020 8546 6546
