Sir, with statutory registration of DCPs approaching, I believe I have identified a potential problem with the legislation which could leave members of the profession open to legal challenge. I currently employ a student as a dental nurse on Saturday mornings and I approached the GDC to enquire if as a dental student, using the training exemption, he could continue to work part-time as a DSA, following the introduction of registration. I was informed that a dental degree will not be considered a suitable training course to allow someone to practise as a dental nurse. Furthermore, qualified practitioners will only be able to assist a colleague if the duties undertaken are considered to be within their competence and if suitable supervision from a registered nurse is available.

While it should be possible for any dentist assisting a colleague to claim competence, what will happen in the event of a mishap or patient complaint? Any competent lawyer will certainly use this ruling to attack the profession and I therefore believe that in these circumstances we will all be at risk.

It would also appear that, at the present time, no exemption to this rule has been made for dental students practising within a teaching hospital. This means that every time one dental student assists another they will be guilty of illegal practice and again open to legal challenge.

Surely it is possible for the GDC to introduce a hospital exemption for students, or ideally to declare that a dental degree is a suitable qualification for someone to enter the dental nurse register if they should wish to do so? While it is unlikely many of us would wish to register as a dental nurse, this would at least protect both students and practitioners.