Sir, I read with glee the editorial by Stephen Hancocks (BDJ 2007; 202: 505) It is all about motivation, asking what the DoH's motive was for explaining the ridiculous guidance about single-use reamers, preventing vCJD transmission. In my opinion, it is not about motivation, 'it is all about incompetence'. The side headline to the same editorial says 'handled logically this could have been a triumph ... instead it is an all too familiar shambles'. I think this sums up policy at DoH. Can anyone suggest a triumph by the DoH? Any decision-making done by this department ends up in failure and displeasing professional medical and dental staff alike.