Sir, during the COVID-19 crisis redeployment of the dental profession is a controversial topic. With the wide variety of skillsets present within our profession, and the passion to help both our patients and the wider healthcare workforce, it is time for the dental profession to step out of our comfort zone in order to use these vital skills to aid the community and our NHS.

It was stated that over 13,000 dental professionals had signed up to volunteer for redeployment, which highlights the profession's willingness to unite with the rest of the NHS workforce to win the fight against COVID. This subject has caused many members of the profession to take to social media to express concerns over job roles, either with regards to a lack of skillset or, in contrast, to the underutilisation of skills present.

We can bring more than just teeth into the world of healthcare: from history taking, triaging, prescribing, cannulation and suturing, to the privilege of providing reassurance and support to worried families and patients. Existing hospital dentists and trainees have already been tasked with cross-cover of medical specialities and with increased training they are leading deployment to areas within their Trusts. Uncertainty and false information in relation to redeployment on social media within the dental profession will not provide the positivity needed.

With many dentists taking the Hippocratic oath upon graduation and living by a set of professional principles and values throughout their career, it is evident that putting 'patients' interests first' will remain a guiding factor for the work that we do. The entire dental workforce should take pride in being part of the NHS healthcare system and when this crisis is over, we should be able to look back as a profession with pride in our collective and positive response.