Sir, I always find that your editorial has a good handle on matters and A risky business (BDJ 2010; 209: 483) was no exception. The letter from Professor Pankhurst and from D. Andrew, same issue but different issues, serve to illustrate that the greatest risk today to dental professionals in the UK comes not from Legionella contaminated DUWLs but from HTM 01-05, PCTs, the CQC, the HSE and a plague of other regulations and regulatory bodies.

Cynical? Perhaps. Overwhelmed? Maybe. Cornered? Definitely!

However, when my grandson told me recently that he'd like to become a dentist, I told him that there was no finer profession to be in.

Retired? Nearly. Dead? Not quite yet. Given up? Never!