NCAS aims to keep dentists healthy

Dentists with health and addiction problems can get help from a new programme under development.

The National Clinical Assessment Service (NCAS) is collaborating with other partners to launch the new scheme.

Director Alastair Scotland said the move was “overdue business” and dentists should be able to expect the same level of care as NHS patients received.

“A practitioner’s poor health can impact greatly on patient safety,” he added.

“This programme will protect that safety by supporting the health of practitioners.”

He said often health professionals managed health issues themselves or informally by chatting to colleagues and this was not adequate.

The programme will initially be available to dentists, as well as doctors, in the London area.

NCAS has recently been offered as a formal service in Scotland following an informal ad hoc paid service.

It has dealt with about 5,000 cases where the performance of a dentist or doctor has given rise to concern.