Principles of management responsibility

One of the changes to the Dentists Act which came into force in July 2006 was to open up ‘the business of dentistry’ to dental care professionals as well as dentists. This means that all members of the registered dental team can now receive payment for dental treatment, own dental practices and dental laboratories and employ other members of the dental team.

Another of the changes to the Act was to remove the limit on the number of ‘dental bodies corporate’ (DBCs) which can exist, meaning that any dental practice or group of practices can now become a corporate body.

In the light of these changes, the Council felt that it would be helpful to give guidance to registrants about their responsibilities when acting in a business capacity. The principles apply to any registrant who has a management role, whether that is in a DBC, a Primary Care Trust, a practice, dental laboratory. It also applies to registrants who are responsible for conducting clinical trials and those working in educational institutions, such as universities.

This guidance document expands on how you should apply the principle ‘put patients’ interests first and act to protect them’ to your work in your management role. You should read it with the other guidance in the ‘Standards for dental professionals’ series.

Download the guidance:

 Principles of management responsibility (February 2008)