Position Statements, Briefings and Consultation Responses
The Faculty of Dental Surgery produces position statements and briefings on key issues in dentistry and areas of public policy. We also frequently respond to consultations issued by the UK Government and its agencies, Parliament and others, on relevant policy matters.
You can search our documents by exploring the following topics:
Patient safety
FDS response to DHSC consultation on the total restriction of online advertising for HFSS products
This consultation response sets out the Faculty’s support for the Department for Health and Social Care’s proposals to introduce a total restriction on online advertising for products which are high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS). It also highlights some loopholes which will need to be addressed, for example around influencer marketing.
FDS/BAPRAS position statement on oral piercing and tongue splitting
This statement, produced jointly by the Faculty and the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, highlights the potential adverse consequences of oral piercing and tongue splitting procedures.
FDS/FGDP response to NHS England consultation on Never Events
This consultation response from the FDS and FGDP (UK) sets out our joint position on NHS England's Never Events Policy and Framework Review 2016-17, highlighting the importance of focusing on learning and improvement when Never Events occur in order to achieve positive change and improve patient safety.
FDS position statement on English language testing of healthcare staff and the EU
This statement sets out the Faculty’s view on the current system of English language tests for EEA healthcare professionals coming to work the UK, highlighting that EU rules prevent health regulators from systematically testing clinical language skills. The Faculty is calling for this to be addressed as part of the UK’s negotiations on leaving the EU.
FDS response to NICE consultation on third molar extraction
The Faculty of Dental Surgery has jointly responded to NICE’s draft scope on its review of guidelines on impacted third molars with the British Association of Oral Surgeons and the Faculty of General Dental Practice. The consultation requested comments on the clinical and cost effectiveness of the prophylactic removal of impacted third molars. Our response looked at the impact on patient harm and clinical best practice.
FDS response to NICE consultation on antimicrobial stewardship
The Faculty of Dental Surgery jointly responded to the NICE consultation on antimicrobial stewardship with the Faculty of General Dental Practice. Although we agreed with the need for a quality standard, we were disappointed that they were developed without dental input and expertise, and outlined where the guidance would apply to dental professionals.
FDS response to GDC consultation on English language controls
The Faculty of Dental Surgery has a number of concerns regarding the General Dental Council’s proposals to test the English language skills of dentists from the EEA who wish to practise in the UK. In particular, the proposal to use the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assessment is insufficient as it tests the use of everyday English, rather than language and communication skills in the UK healthcare setting.
FDS response to Department of Health consultation on language controls for healthcare professionals
The Faculty of Dental Surgery strongly supports the four UK Health Departments’ proposals to impose language controls on dentists from the European Economic Area so that those who do not have the necessary knowledge of English are not able to practise in the UK. The measures will also strengthen the GDC’s powers to take fitness to practise action where there are concerns about the English language skills of professionals who are already in practice.
FDS response to NICE review of guidance on the extraction of wisdom teeth
The Faculty of Dental Surgery has rejected NICE’s proposal that new evidence on the benefits of prophylactic removal of healthy wisdom teeth is not strong enough to warrant a review of the recommendations. We are concerned that certain evidence was not considered as part of the assessment and have urged NICE to reappraise its guidance.
FDS briefing for parliamentary debate on dental implants and periodontal checks
The Faculty of Dental Surgery provided a written briefing to peers in advance of Baroness Gardner’s debate in the House of Lords on 23 July 2014 on the need for periodontal checks following the fitting of dental implants.
Public policy
FDS position statement on children's oral health
This statement updates the Faculty's 2015 report on children's oral health. It makes a number of recommendations for how the government can tackle child tooth decay by taking action in three areas: prevention, access and education.
FDS position statement on oral health and general health
This statement highlights the links between oral health and general health, including conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and makes recommendations about how the oral health profession can play a broader role in prevention
FDS response to DHSC consultation on restricting price and location promotions
This consultation response sets out the Faculty of Dental Surgery's support for the Department of Health and Social Care's proposals to restrict price and location promotions for products which are high in fat, sugar and salt, which were originally announced in Chapter 2 of the Childhood Obesity Plan in 2018.
FDS response to London Assembly Health Committee investigation into child dental health
In this response to an investigation conducted by the London Assembly Health Committee into child dental health, the Faculty highlighted a number of measures which would help reduce tooth decay in the capital. These include introducing supervised tooth brushing programmes, improving children's dental attendance and encouraging all London's schools to go sugar free
FDS response to DHSC consultation on ending sales of energy drinks to children
This consultation response outlines the Faculty of Dental Surgery's support for banning the sale of energy drinks to all children under the age of 18, given the impact that such products can have on oral health as a result of their acidity and high sugar content.
FDS response to Welsh Health Committee inquiry into Dentistry in Wales
The Faculty submitted evidence to an inquiry into Dentistry in Wales undertaken by the National Assembly for Wales' Health, Social Care and Sport Committee. This highlights the importance of the Designed to Smile scheme in tackling child tooth decay and the need to improve oral health for other groups such as teenagers.
FDS report - Improving older people's oral health
The Faculty of Dental Surgery has published a report highlighting the need for action to improve older people's oral health, which can have a significant impact on their general health and wellbeing. Poor oral health can make it more difficult to eat, speak and take medication, and has also been linked to conditions such as malnutrition and pneumonia.
FDS position statement on cake culture
This statement highlights the impact of office "cake culture" on public health, and provides advice and recommendations for reducing sugar consumption at work.
FDS/FGDP response to HMRC consultation on the soft drink industry levy
This consultation response from the FDS and FGDP (UK) sets out our joint position on the soft drinks industry levy, which was announced as part of the Childhood Obesity plan and will be introduced from 2018.
FDS position statement on measures to reduce sugar consumption
This statement sets out the Faculty’s view on the measures that should be introduced to decrease sugar consumption, in order to address oral health alongside obesity.
FDS response to CAP consultation on food and soft drink advertising to children
While we understand the emphasis on the need to prevent childhood obesity, given the impact of sugar on tooth decay, the restriction of advertising of high sugar products to children would also have great potential to improve their oral health, which is in a concerning state.
Dental Facts and Stats: Children in England
An infographic produced by the Faculty of Dental Surgery to illustrate the state of children's oral health in England
FDS report - Actions for the government to improve oral health
The Faculty of Dental Surgery has published a report outlining the actions the government should take to improve oral health and standards of care in England. Approximately a third of five-year-old children and a third of adults in England are suffering from tooth decay; it is the most common cause of hospital admissions among five to nine-year-olds; and the incidence rates of oral cancer in the UK have risen by a third in the last decade.
FDS report - The state of children's oral health
The Faculty of Dental Surgery has published a report which shows that action must be taken to reduce the high numbers of children being admitted to hospital for tooth decay, in some cases for multiple tooth extractions under general anaesthetic. The situation is particularly alarming considering approximately 90% of tooth decay is preventable.
FDS response to NHS Outcomes Framework Review
The NHS Outcome Framework sets out the outcomes and corresponding indicators used to hold NHS England to account for improvements in health outcomes. The Faculty of Dental Surgery strongly supports the proposal to measure and highlight the incidence of secondary dental procedures for young children as this will drive improvements in primary care.
FDS response to Department of Health consultation on dental contract reform
The Faculty of Dental Surgery responded to the Department of Health’s proposals to change the dental contractual system to focus on improving oral health through prevention and increasing access.
FDS response to Department of Health consultation on food labelling
The Faculty responded to the Department of Health's consultation process entitled "Front of Pack Nutrition Labelling".
Dental practice
Welfare checks for children and young people awaiting dental care under general anaesthesia
Whilst our patients wait for treatment, it is imperative that welfare checks are in place so that those most urgently requiring care are identified and prioritised. In line with NHS operational planning guidance, there is a requirement to collect data on the patients under our care so that recovery is fair and equitable. With this in mind, this welfare check guidance has been designed with a triage pro forma, intended for adaption and implementation within Managed Clinical Networks (MCNs).
FDS response to GDC consultation on the principles of specialist listing
The Faculty of Dental Surgery has produced this response to the General Dental Council's consultation on the principles of specialist listing, outlining the Faculty's views on what the purpose of the lists should be in the future and whether a specialist register should be introduced.
FDS response to NICE consultation on oral health for adults in care homes
The Faculty of Dental Surgery welcomed NICE’s draft guidance on oral health for adults in care homes. These people will be likely to have complex oral health needs so the guidance will help to ensure that care home staff are trained to address issues such as tooth decay, gum disease, pain and infection.
FDS response to CQC consultation on the regulation of primary care dental services
The Faculty of Dental Surgery generally supports the Care Quality Commission’s proposals to improve the regulation and inspection of primary care dental services. However we have called for clarification that the CQC will inspect both private and NHS providers, along with specialist dental services provided in primary care settings.
FDS response to Quality Assurance Framework for CPD in Dentistry
The Faculty of Dental Surgery has responded to COPDEND’s draft quality assurance framework for CPD in dentistry. The framework has been developed to support CPD providers and CPD users (i.e. dental professionals) in developing and identifying high quality CPD activities.
FDS response to GDC consultation on standards for specialty education
The Faculty of Dental Surgery responded to the General Dental Council’s draft Standards for Specialty Education, which will apply to all UK programmes that lead to inclusion on the specialist lists.
FDS response to COPDEND DFT Curriculum
The Faculty of Dental Surgery responded to the UK Committee of Postgraduate Deans and Directors’ consultation on the Dental Foundation Training Curriculum review.
Dental profession
FDS response to GDC consultation on guidance for Case Examiners
The Faculty of Dental Surgery broadly supports the General Dental Council’s draft guidance on agreeing undertakings and issuing warnings for Case Examiners as it should lead to a more efficient procedure which will benefit the patient, the dentist, their families, the whole dental team and the GDC.
FDS response to GDC duty of candour guidance
The Faculty of Dental Surgery has welcomed specific guidance that explains how dentists and dental care professionals can support the duty of candour. However we are concerned that the guidance did not cover reporting adverse incidents and near misses, which provides the opportunity to learn from mistakes and prevent possible harm in the future.
FDS position paper on the regulation of the specialties
The Faculty of Dental Surgery has developed a position paper on the General Dental Council's ongoing review of regulation of the specialties. This includes recommendations on how to improve regulation and awareness of the specialties in order to further protect patients.
FDS response to the GDC's detailed proposals to improve its fitness to practise processes
The Faculty of Dental Surgery has responded to the General Dental Council’s detailed proposals on changes to improve its fitness to practise processes, including the introduction of case examiners; the power to agree undertakings with registrants; and a new requirement to seek representations from dental professionals before issuing a warning.
FDS response to the GDC's proposals to improve its fitness to practise processes
The Faculty of Dental Surgery supports the Department of Health's proposals to improve the General Dental Council's early investigation stages of its fitness to practise processes. The changes will allow the GDC to introduce case examiners to take on the decision-making functions currently exercised by the Investigating Committee, in order to improve the speed of decision making and reduce costs.
FDS response to review of the GDC's role in regulating the dental specialties
The Faculty of Dental Surgery provided a robust response to the GDC’s proposals, with a call to maintain its specialist lists to protect the public and maintain standards in dentistry.