Dentists have been given some clarification from the Scottish Government on reducing the use of dental amalgam.
Following changes to EU regulations on dental amalgam that were effective from 1 July 2018, the Scottish Government has now issued a memorandum1 on the phasing down of dental amalgam, including a list of the revised fees for non-amalgam restorations.
From 1 July 2018, an EU Regulation placed a legally-binding obligation to terminate the use of dental amalgam in deciduous teeth, and to restrict its use, except when necessary, for children under 15 years old, and for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Following queries from members, BDA Scotland has received clarification from Scottish Government and Practitioner Services Division that 'resin' restorations are defined as: 'Any non-amalgam restoration which includes composites and resin-modified glass ionomer restorative materials.'
The code for pregnant and breastfeeding women has not altered and can be found in the Practitioner Services Discretionary fee guide 20172.
References
Scottish Government Population Health Directorate. Phasing Down of Dental Amalgam. Amendment No. 138 to the Statement of Dental Remuneration (SDR). June 2018. Available at http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/pca/PCA2018%28D%2908.pdf (accessed 13 August 2018).
NHS National Services Scotland. Practitioner Services Discretionary fee guide 2017. Available at https://nhsnss.org/media/2370/discretionaryfeeguideapril2017_001.pdf (accessed 13 August 2018).
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Clarification given on amalgam restorations and revised fees. Br Dent J 225, 280 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2018.709
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2018.709