How best to use dental therapists in practice is the topic for a presentation at this year's BDA conference.
Steve Brookes will present Can we prevent disease within the current UDA system?, briefly reflecting on the past to gain an understanding of where dentistry is today, where the Department of Health wants dental teams to be, and exploring the opportunities that now exist for the benefits of patients, the dental team, and commissioners of services.
Steve says: ‘Working within the dental environment for 25 years, I have been fortunate to have experienced the provision of dental care from the aspects, of a vocational trainee, vocational trainer, associate, clinical assistant, single-handed practitioner to clinical director with Rodericks Ltd and winner of VT Trainer of the year in 2008.
‘Working outside the clinical environment with the GDC as part of the DCS, PCT as DPA, LDC member and Oxford Deanery as vocational training adviser since 1999, has provided me with a balanced perspective of the challenges, difficulties and opportunities faced by all members of this profession.'
Since 1997, he has been involved in the delivery of dental care in general dental practice with the benefit of a dental therapist, undertaking school examinations with focused preventive advice and care across three practices.
Steve adds: ‘Learning during this period has now been expanded across our estate of 35 practices.'
‘Always keeping in mind GDC guidance “acting in the patients best interests”, I will look at innovative ways of delivering preventive care and advice utilising the benefits of the dental therapist to meet the needs of your local population.'
He plans to explore ways of working with, paying, and maximising the dental therapist in the team, and how they are going to be key players in meeting the forthcoming PCT's Key Performance Indicators and quality accounts.
The presentation takes place at the the BDA's flagship event, which takes place between 20 and 22 May at Liverpool's Arena and Convention Centre.
