BDA urges government to delay CQC registration date

The British Dental Association (BDA) has written to the UK health secretary to call for a delay in the deadline by which dental practices must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

In the letter to Andrew Lansley, the trade body stated that many practices are facing difficulties having their Criminal Records Bureau checks countersigned before the March 31st 2011 deadline, through no fault of their own.

This will mean that thousands of dentists will potentially have failed to meet the CQC's requirements simply due to errors with the registration process.

Dr Susie Sanderson, chair of the BDA's executive board, criticised the situation as a "fiasco" while condemning the government's prior refusals to amend the deadline and its arguments that the process is progressing as planned.

"It is time for the government to take action to show that it understands the profession's concerns and halt the development of a crisis of confidence among dentists across England," she argued.

Last week, the BDA voiced concerns that new pension reform proposals outlined in the Hutton Review will be create negative repercussions for the dental sector.