The British Dental Association (BDA) is urging dentists in England to join their campaign calling on the Government to address concerns about the registration of dental practices with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The BDA would like practitioners to demonstrate the strength of feeling on this issue by sending a postcard directly to their Member of Parliament.

The BDA is sending all members a postcard emphasising the increasing burden of red tape encircling practitioners and the detrimental effect it has on patient care. Members will find a copy of the postcard in the December issue of bdanews.

The postcard presses MPs to demand the Secretary of State for Health does three things: simplify the arrangements for the CQC so it does not duplicate functions carried out by other bodies; ensure that the CQC registration fee is set at a reasonable level; and delay the deadline for registration to allow these concerns to be properly addressed.

The BDA has written directly to the Secretary of State outlining the profession's concerns and calling for the three steps to be taken.

The campaign was launched with the delivery of a giant postcard to Sir Paul Beresford MP, the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Dentistry, at Parliament. It was presented by BDA Executive Board Chair Dr Susie Sanderson and BDA General Dental Practice Committee Chair Dr John Milne.

'The BDA has reiterated these concerns to Government on numerous occasions,' said Dr Milne. 'It's time for Government to hear from the wider profession. I urge every dentist in England to send a postcard to their MP and force action on this vital issue.'