The dental police force

Sir, I applaud the BDA's stance on the recent ARF price hike and am, of course, disappointed that the increase went ahead despite the efforts.

Dentists always regarded themselves as a self-regulating profession but, since the changes to the make-up of the Council, should we still regard ourselves as such? The Council is made up of six lay members and six members of our profession, the Chairman being a lay member and presumably having the traditional 'casting vote'.

I would, therefore, suggest that we are no longer a self-regulating profession, as a result of the potential distortion of influence in Council decisions by the make-up of the Council.

In consequence, why are dentists expected to pay the whole costs of what is, in effect, an external governing body?

The public purse pays for the police force etc so why should only dentists pay for the dental 'police force'?

1. Bearsden