The Dentist's Survival Guide By Dr. Stephen Hudson BDS, MSc, PHD Med Law, PGC Dental Law & Ethics

The threats we as dentists face have never been greater. We have a regulator that many considered to be out of control, until recently. The number of ‘fitness to practice’ cases are far in excess of the real risk posed by the profession.

Likewise, litigation by teams of dental negligence solicitors is causing the traditional discretionary indemnity model to crack and indemnity subscriptions are going ever higher. Add to that an NHS system that is now broken and damaging to patients and dentists and you have what many people might call the makings of a perfect storm.

If we concentrated on the bad, then everything would be bleak. Fortunately, there has conversely never been a greater time to be a dentist in the UK—technological advances and practice management strategies are advancing faster than we can often apply them. If we get things right with happy patients, dentistry can be one of the best jobs out there. So, mindful of the threats facing us, 30 UK dentists have come together to create a book to help us.

They give ideas and systems on how to deal with the challenges we presently face. Let’s have a brief look who’s in it.

• Amin Aminian talks about limiting patient dissatisfaction.
• Chris Barrow discusses the future of UK dentistry.
• Natalie Bradley investigates how those working in the CDS can keep the GDC on their side.
• Finbar Francis Bryson goes in depth into how to succeed in endodontics.
• Colin Campbell gives an honest, personal account of his GDC case.
• Andrew Chandrapal talks about the dangers of cosmetic dentistry.
• Thomas Coates explains how to sell a dental practice.
• Ian Dunn invites you to pick up a perio probe and stay out of trouble, perio now being a key litigation risk.
• Barry Glassman unravels the mysteries of occlusion.
• André Haigh summarises the game-changing Montgomery legal case.
• Keith Hayes examines where the CQC is heading.
• Victoria Holden outlines what happens in GDC fitness to practice proceedings.
• Pav Khaira shows us that we can survive any ‘what’ if we have a big enough ‘why’.
• Tony Kilcoyne discusses how to deal with the media.
• Ashley Latter builds rapport with us.
• Peter Loveday gives a recount of how he managed to emigrate as a dentist to Australia.
• Tej Mell discusses the three main threats to dentists.
• Barry Oulton discusses the benefits of neurolinguistic programming.
• Elaine Mo has some top tips for the young dentist.
• Kevin Rose explains the importance of trust.
• Affan Saghir shows how he stays motivated despite the storm clouds.
• Dhru Ratilal Shah tells us all how to stay out of trouble with the GDC.
• Harry Singh reveals some of the secrets of how to achieve financial freedom.
• Simon Thackeray talks about the importance of being humble.
• Simon Tucker lays down why it’s perhaps time to leave the NHS.
• Monik Vasant challenges you to strive for greatness
• Michael Young outlines the role of an expert witness.