MDDUS slashes dental membership costs

SUBSCRIPTION rates for dentists have been cut by as much as 75 per cent by MDDUS as clinicians are forced to down tools in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

All but emergency dental treatment has been halted by the government in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19.

MDDUS used its discretionary powers as a mutual organisation to remove a financial burden from its members.

MDDUS CEO Chris Kenny said: "This is a difficult and uncertain time for dentists. The impact of the coronavirus on the dental profession is unprecedented and will be causing worries and concerns – both practical and financial – across the board.

"From a financial perspective, MDDUS is acting decisively in the interests of our members. “We are able to use our discretion as a mutual to make swift decisions in our members’ benefit at this testing time in a way that insurance providers cannot."

Aubrey Craig, Head of MDDUS Dental Division added: "We are automatically reducing subscriptions for all general dental practitioner members currently working more than one session per week to our lowest sessional rate.

"If our dental members are redeployed to work in support of NHS staff in hospitals/local urgent treatment centres specifically on the response to COVID-19, we will apply a further reduction."

MDDUS will adjust its dental members’ direct debits automatically from 1 April for three months in the first instance. It will maintain protection for claims from remote or emergency working and from regulatory actions in relation to both personal and professional conduct.

Dental hygienists and dental and orthodontic therapists will retain their full membership at no cost for the same period.

Click here to access advice and FAQs from the MDDUS coronavirus information hub.