Dentists most appropriate to provide dental care to each patient – ADA submissions to DBA

ADAVB has submitted a response to the Dental Board of Australia’s consultation on the Scope of Practice Registration Standard and associated Guidelines. Key points argued by the Branch include:

·         The Guidelines, as currently drafted, do not clarify either to practitioners or the public the differences in services provided by the practitioners and therefore who is most appropriate to provide dental care to each patient.

·         There should be greater recognition of the clinical lead role of a dentist throughout the documents.

·         Allowing lesser trained individuals to perform an extended scope of practice will be detrimental to public safety.

·         If an allied dental practitioner wishes to practise with a significantly increased scope of practice and no supervision, then they need to train as a dentist.

·         A dentist should undertake an initial comprehensive oral exam, and refer patients as appropriate to other dental professionals whose scope of practice authorises them to treat. 

·         The Guidelines must specify that each practitioner is ultimately responsible for the treatment that they provide.

The ADA Inc. has also made a submission, as have various other ADA Branches.