The BDA Indemnity Underwriting Committee (UwC) regularly meets twice a week to assess any new applications that suggest an unusual level of risk. Using the information supplied by the dentist, the majority of clues above are not referred to the UwC, but approximately a quarter of the applications meet the very specific criteria that need to be reviewed. This material is inevitably sensitive in its content, so every document is meticulously de-identified and references to other parties similarly anonymised before secure circulation.

The UwC comprises insurance experts, people with years of experience in dental underwriting and/or handling cases, experienced clinicians and practice owners, and representatives of the BDA to protect the interests of BDA members both individually and collectively. Everyone concerned takes these responsibilities very seriously, demonstrating admirable commitment to fairness and consistency.

From the outset in April 2019, these were virtual meetings with committee members attending either online or by phone, so apart from the extra practical challenges caused by the admin team home-working once the BDA office closed, we were already well placed to deal with the complications of the COVID-19 pandemic.

One particular application referred to the committee turned out to be a game of two halves. The first half was never-ending and involved reading many hundreds of pages of documentation regarding an unfolding story of criminal proceedings, GDC investigations and hearings, negligence claims, complaints, and challenges from a wide range of NHS and statutory bodies. Plus letters from various other indemnity providers detailing expenditure averaging £130k or more a year, many years in succession, until the dentist's cover was finally terminated.

The second half was shorter and began with a long silence at the start of the meeting as if the first contributor had muted their microphone. The caller eventually spoke and explained with regret that they simply couldn't find anything positive to say about the application. Another committee member asked if the approaching 'season of goodwill' might make a difference. The original caller said that it was very helpful to be reminded of that, and added that recommending non-acceptance would really be the best way to show goodwill to all the members who chose BDA Indemnity - and help to keep their premiums down.

Dr Kevin Lewis