Dentists urged to meet record card checks standard

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release: Tuesday, 21 January 2014

Dentists in England are urged to comply with NHS record card check regulations or risk termination of their contract, says UK-wide dental defence organisation MDDUS.

Record cards should, of course, be completed accurately and contemporaneously to ensure discussions with patients on such things as treatment options and plans are recorded and compliance in this area is vital for both dentist and patient.

MDDUS dental adviser Rachael Bell believes dental practitioners should pay particular attention to regulations regarding record keeping and claims as those are key areas where problems can arise during routine checks by Dental Practice Advisers. For example, MDDUS has dealt with cases where dentists have run into difficulties when claiming for treatment plan costs.

“Some dentists may not appreciate the possible consequences if they do not meet standards during record card checks,” says Bell. “If these checks show errors have been made with claims in a particular band or the quality of record-keeping falls short of current standards, then practitioners may be referred to Local Area Teams for further action.

“In these situations, a practitioner’s NHS contract can have conditions placed upon it or the contract can even be terminated resulting in serious financial consequences for the dentist.”

Administrative checks on patient records are carried out randomly with the purpose of assessing whether these records are maintained in line with regulations and best practice.

To ensure they are fully compliant, dentists should familiarise themselves with the Faculty of General Dental Practice UK’s document on examination and record keeping and the conditions laid out in the regulations regarding when to make a claim.

“Particular attention should be paid to when a free replacement can or cannot be claimed,” adds Bell. “Practitioners should ensure that all the treatment necessary to secure dental health is made under the one course of treatment, otherwise they may be accused of splitting treatment plans in order to gain financially.

“Dentists should contact their dental defence organisation at the earliest opportunity if they suspect there are problems following routine record card checks. Furthermore, all contract holders must be fully aware of the guidelines surrounding claims for each band and they must ensure all staff working for them also follows these regulations.

“If practitioners are found to have made an inaccurate claim, then they can find themselves having to replay considerable sums of money back to the NHS, which can have serious consequences for the viability of their practice.”

A copy of the National Health Service (Dental Charges) regulations can be found here

Ends

For further information contact Richard Hendry on 0845 270 2034 or 07976 272266, or email rihendry@mddus.com.

Note to editors

MDDUS (The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland) is a medical and dental defence organisation providing access to professional indemnity and expert medico- and dento-legal advice for doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals throughout the UK. For further information on MDDUS go to www.mddus.com.