1 December 2011
Last updated
Q1. I work full-time in the Community Dental Service and have been informed that my employers are no longer the Primary Care Trust. I am now employed by a new organisation called a Social Enterprise Group (SEG). What is the situation as far as my indemnity arrangements are concerned?
As an employee of a PCT, your indemnity cover would have been with the National Health Service Litigation Authority (NHSLA). Now that you are no longer an employee of the Trust, your new employer (the SEG) should have made their own arrangements for indemnity cover. This could either be with the NHSLA (no change) or another indemnity provider. Alternatively, your new employer may ask you to arrange your own indemnity. If the latter is the case, please contact our Membership Department who will advise you on the change from an “Employer Indemnified” subscription grade to a “General and/or Specialist Practice” grade.
Click here to view a full list of our membership rates for dentists, oral surgeons and maxillofacial surgeons in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Click here to view a list of our cosmetic rates for dentists, oral surgeons and maxillofacial surgeons in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
If there appears to be an increase in your annual subscription then you might wish to consider approaching your new employers for a refund of any additional cost. Further advice on your new contract arrangements with the SEG can also be obtained from the BDA Salaried Services Department.
Q2. I have come under some criticism from my line manager about my diagnostic skills and treatment of decay in children. I have to attend an investigating meeting at the Trust. Can DPL help me?
Dental Protection would wish to offer support and assistance in any situation where the member's professional reputation is being challenged. Dental Protection has a large and experienced team of dento-legal advisers and local advisers and would normally be able to offer assistance and representation at an investigating or disciplinary meeting.
Q3. I have been suspended from work pending investigation about my poor timekeeping. I appreciate I have been late on a number of occasions, but I have a problem with my time management as I am a single parent. Would DPL assist?
The complaint being investigated relates more to your personal conduct rather than your professional conduct and this would normally be a matter to be dealt with by your professional body or trade union such as the BDA, BSDHT, BADN etc.