Dr title okay for dentists says poll

23 September 2010

A survey carried about by the BDA has found that four out of five dentists think it is appropriate to use the courtesy title of 'Dr'.

The BDA conducted the survey as part of a discussion hosted on the communities section of its website. The debate attracted high levels of interest, being viewed more than 2,800 times between late July and early September.

The results of the poll will be communicated to the General Dental Council in response to its consultation on Principles of ethical advertising, in which it proposes that dentists "should not use the courtesy title 'doctor' (or the abbreviation 'Dr') unless they have a PhD or are a medically qualified and registered doctor".

The draft consultation document further states:

"Its use as a courtesy title is potentially misleading to patients and it is important that patients do not assume that you have training or competencies which you do not possess"

Dr Susie Sanderson, Chair of the BDA's Executive Board, said:

"This issue has generated unprecedented levels of interest from contributors to the BDA’s online communities. Participants have sent a very strong signal about their wish to continue using the title Dr. We have listened to them and will convey the strength of that feeling to the GDC in our response to its consultation on this issue.

"It is clear from the contributions to this forum that, as long as it is made clear that the individual in question is a dentist, patients do not seem to be confused by the use of the title. The practice of referring to dentists in this way is long-established overseas and is also now firmly embedded in the UK."

The BDA is urging individual dentists to contact the GDC directly with their views. The consultation closes on 1 October 2010. Go to the GDC website to respond.