Meeting report: 21 February 2017
The fifth meeting of the 2016/ 2017 session was held in Lecture Theatre 2 of GDH on Tuesday 21st February 2017 commencing at 7pm.
There were 65 members and guests in attendance. Apologies were received from 6 members. The minutes of the previous meeting, published online were approved.
The President, Mr Arshad Ali, welcomed the members and guests to the meeting.
The President introduced the speaker Mr Aubrey Craig and invited him to give his address to the society entitled ‘Time and tide wait for no registrant’.
Mr Craig started by defining his aims for his address. These were to update the society on the ethical and legal challenges facing the profession now and in the future, to give knowledge of regulation and practical tips to keep safe.
He gave a definition of ethics and explained that the General Dental Council (GDC) have ‘codified’ ethics and referenced the GDC’s standards document from 2013. Mr Craig then discussed risk management in detail and led us through the various aspects of risk management in terms of personal, clinical and in practice.
He discussed in detail ethical principles and ethical practice and laid emphasis on the patient journey and patient centred care. He highlighted and demonstrated good quality record keeping and the guidance available for this. He discussed good practice governance and policies. He reminded us all about the use of abbreviations and gave a few amusing examples of these to the audience’s diversion. He generously gave interludes with clinical cases and helpful hints and tips.
Mr Craig discussed the change in our practice following the Montgomery ruling in 2015. He described the changes in terms of CPD and introduced the appraisal process, which is coming to the profession from early next year. He discussed the duty of candour and the law / quasi law giving useful reference documents and rulings.
Mr Craig discussed the GDC and their role in protecting the public. He discussed the changes within the GDC and explored the future of regulation in the face of changing landscape. He described the new triage team, case examiners and the consultation document ‘Shifting the Balance’.
Looking to the future Mr Craig debated sustainability from a personal, professional, ethical and legal/quasi legal angle. He highlighted the challenges of meeting present needs and planning for the future in terms of regulation. He anticipated changes in healthcare in the face of increased pressures and increased expectations. Mr Craig gave a personal reflection on the profession in the past and looking to the future. The President then thanked Mr Craig for his lecture and opened the floor to questions. A generous number of questions were asked and answered.
The President asked Professor John Gibson to propose the vote of thanks. He thanked the speaker for his excellent, engaging presentation and commented on how time passed in an instant and the audience were spellbound. He recognised Mr Craig’s range of experience and contribution to the MDDUS. He recognised the journey the audience were taken through risk management, ethics and regulation during Mr Craig’s address. The President then asked the audience to show their approval in the usual manner and presented the speaker with a Glasgow Odontological Society paperweight.
The President then invited Mr Bruce Hogan to the floor who introduced a one day symposium entitled ‘Top Tips for GDPs’ to be held on the 2nd of June 2017 at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow with an evening drinks reception. Mr Hogan invited members and guests to register for this symposium.
The next meeting is on Tuesday 21st of March 2017 in the Lecture Theatre 2, GDH. The speaker is Mr Andrew Darwood and he will give his lecture entitled ‘A lifetime in Implantology’.
The meeting was closed at 20.30.