Bulletin April 2010.
qxp 10/03/2010 14:37 Page 142
DOI: 10.1308/147363510X494382
Practice-based
specialists and the
Faculty
Ann R Coll Surg Engl
(Suppl) 2010; 92:142
DAVID BARNETT FDS BOARD MEMBER
Historically the Faculty of Dental
Surgery is committed to achieving
and maintaining the highest
standards of clinical dental and oral
surgical practice through its fellows,
members and trainees. The
composition of the Board of the
Faculty reflected this role in so far
as those elected were and continue
to be eminent professors and
distinguished consultants. About six
years ago the Board elected a fellow
from specialist practice outside the
hospital and university setting. That
might have been viewed as a ‘token’
specialist appointment but a subtle
development has occurred as the
Faculty evolves in a time of
significant change.
What change?
The Faculty of Dental Surgery now has a
growing number of specialists whose main
practice is not in district hospitals or
academic departments, but in the high
street. Fellows and members working in
142
FAC U LT Y U P DAT E
primary care and specialist practice are
increasing.
In my own specialty of orthodontics just
over 50% of the 1,400 active members
belong to the subgroup concerned with
specialist practice. The British Society for
Restorative Dentistry estimates that
about 50% of their 500 members work in
specialist practice. The British Society of
Periodontology could not give precise
figures but estimates that about 100
members are in specialist practice, while
the British Association of Oral Surgeons
estimates that about 15% of their 400
members are working at least part of the
week in a practice environment.
It is true that not all the members of
specialist societies will be members of the
English College but there will be
significant numbers of our fellows and
members who now practise their
specialty outside the hospital
environment. Changes to the way in
which healthcare is being delivered
suggest that this will increase and it may
well redistribute many more fellows and
members away from the hospital setting.
About five years ago the Board of the
Faculty supported my request for the
formation of a subcommittee to cater for
this group. The Specialist Practice Liaison
Group was formed as a consequence. It
meets twice yearly with representatives
invited from all the specialist societies and
the community group.
What purpose does it serve?
The subcommittee keeps the specialist
societies and particularly those members in
the high street informed about the
activities of the Faculty. Two Board
members sit on the committee and inform
the members of current issues that are
under consideration by the Board and
Faculty that may have a bearing on their
practice. When relevant Department of
Health papers are published these are
flagged up for information. When national
committees form, reform or change, (and
that seems to happen almost monthly)
there may be an impact on specialists in
practice. Recent publications and
Department of Health papers that are
pertinent to best practice appear from
time to time and these can be brought to
the attention of the committee members. It
is not a one-way street. The Faculty
welcomes suggestions and comment. These
meetings give the societies an opportunity
to air their concerns and views.
There has been an increasing frequency of
change to regulations and requirements that
permit us to practise. For those who
provide treatment in the personal dental
services new contracts loom and new
hoops are being prepared by the
purchasers. All specialists working in the
high street should take full advantage of the
services that the Faculty provides
Remember that there is a huge amount of
information available via the website. There
are numerous relevant courses, including
some that fulfil core continuing professional
development (CPD) requirements, and
CPD can be recorded online in the College.
One final request
The Faculty needs more people who
work in the high street to consider
standing for the Board of the Faculty. That
way we can ensure that the Faculty is
inclusive and speaks for all specialists.