News

The GDC has recently commenced another consultation related to clinical experience required before overseas dentists may sit the statutory examination to be registered. This is still open and details are available here. BSP has submitted a reply which is available for members to view here.

Following a meeting on 14th March 2007, BSP Council unanimously agreed to open Associate membership of BSP to all DCPs registered with the GDC forthwith. Existing benefits of Associate membership of BSP will continue to apply (details are available here.). This will be ratified at the next AGM in November 2007, and the membership forms and categories on the website will be updated accordingly soon. However it was decided that since the AGM is not for some time, Council approved an immediate change. Membership fee rates will be unchanged. There will be no reduction in fees for student associate members, those doing postgraduate training or for those within 4 years of first registration.

The partnership programme between the British Society of Periodontology and Henry Schein has now existed for 6 months. In this time, around 25% of practicing UK BSP members have taken part in this. This preferred purchasing scheme benefits both the BSP and individual members, with no additional cost to members, and in fact the Society benefits through an annual donation to our Fellowship Fund from Henry Schein. Details are available here.

The closing date for applications for the Research Fellowship is fast approaching!! Details are available here.

The General Dental Council (GDC) is seeking a chair and members to help guide the development of training paths for dentists wanting to become specialists.

The International Society for Breath Odor Research is holding its 7th International Conference in Chicago from the 22-24th August 2007. For further details and a preliminary program visit here

All members will have received an email inviting them to become involved in a new initiative that will hopefully lead to development of an Expert Witnesses list held by the Society. This will be developed ovr the next year.

The General Dental Council (GDC) is seeking dental professionals to join its independent Fitness to Practise Panel. Members of the panel are responsible for hearing cases where a dental professional's fitness for registration has been called into question by their conduct, health or professional performance. Membership of the Fitness to Practise Panel is drawn from an independent pool of dental professionals, as well as lay people. The panel is undertaking a broader range of hearings, and needs more dental professional members to meet this increasing demand. Applications are invited from all GDC-registrant groups (dentists, dental hygienists, dental therapists, dental nurses, dental technicians, clinical dental technicians and orthodontic therapists). Applicants do not need to be registered with the GDC when they apply, however they must be registered by 1 June 2007 to proceed with their application. New members will be selected through an interview process. Successful candidates will receive training to enable them to work on the panel. Application packs will be available on the GDC website at www.gdc-uk.org and from the Hearings Department on 020 7887 3821, or by email at hearings@gdc-uk.org Forms will be available from 8 January 2007. All completed application forms must be received by Monday 26 March 2007.

The AGM of the Society on 22nd September 2006 confirmed proposals previously approved by Council to modify some of the existing society awards. These changes have been made and are available to see on the website Awards pages.