MDDUS
INSIGHT
DENTAL

The pitfalls of treating friends and family

Dice with a tick and cross
A dentist examines a patient Pitfalls

Managing risks in oral surgery

Professor John Marley offers practical advice on common pitfalls.

Help support road sign Practice management

Managing poor performance

How can you support your team to ensure they perform at their best?

Man taking call on headset Advice

Call log

A range of common - and not so common - queries from dental care professionals

Case file: Claim

Root in situ

...It is claimed that Dr N should have referred Mr K for extraction of the root fragment before undertaking the bridgework...

Older man with toothache Case file: Complaint

Chemical burn

...the dentist apologises and explains it is possible a small drop of acid etch may have splashed onto Mr A’s face...

Neon tubes showing heart and tooth Case file: Advice

Infective endocarditis risk

...Dr C asks for advice on antibiotic prophylaxis and whether this should be prescribed by a cardiologist or the patient's GP...

A broad outlook on the world Professional development

Being a generalist in a specialised world

Dental business coach Alun Rees reflects on the benefits of taking a broad approach to developing your career.

Compliance cogs Risk

Probity – the hidden pitfalls

Even dentists who pride themselves on being open and honest at all times can sometimes fall foul of the rules.

Risk alert

Burnout risks patient safety

There is a well-established causal relationship between reduced clinician wellbeing and increased patient safety incidents - and the rise in the incidence and severity of reported burnout is concerning

Feature

The surprising history of medical defence

Allan Gaw explores some unexpected twists and turns in the story of MDDUS.

Making decisions Ethics

Hard choices – on difficult decisions

Professor Deborah Bowman reflects on the complexities of making difficult decisions.

Inclusive people graphic Viewpoint

A place of acceptance

Medico-legal adviser Dr Gordon McDavid offers a personal perspective on the workplace challenges facing LGBTQ+ healthcare professionals.

Dr Jane Elizabeth Waterston Vignette

Frank and fearless

Jane Elizabeth Waterston - Scottish teacher and the first woman physician in southern Africa.

News

Shocking level of sexual harassment directed at female surgeons

15 September 2023

Dental care professional numbers on the up

18 August 2023

Digital phonelines a positive step says RCGP

18 August 2023

GDC publishes clarification on trainee dental nurses awaiting registration

11 August 2023

Treatment cancellations cause major impact

28 July 2023

NHS England plans for a challenging winter

28 July 2023

Some children waiting over a year for dental extractions

19 July 2023

MDDUS Updates

Professional pitfalls in social media use

02 October 2023

Get 20% off Income Protection for the first two years*

28 September 2023

MDDUS group cover

28 September 2023

MDDUS at the RCGP conference

22 September 2023

Advice for doctors during industrial action

19 September 2023

Notice of Annual General Meeting

21 August 2023

Advice for junior doctor members during industrial action

31 July 2023

Editor: Ms Sarah Harford

Managing editor: Joanne Curran

Associate editor: Jim Killgore

Emailinsight@mddus.com

Editorial departments

Dental: Mr Aubrey Craig 

Legal: Joanna Jervis

Insight Dental is published quarterly by The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland, registered in Scotland No 5093 at 206 St Vincent Street, Glasgow G2 5SG.

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors in Insight Dental are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of MDDUS.

View previous issues of Insight Dental

Insight Dental is published quarterly and distributed to MDDUS members through the UK who work in dental care

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Cover of Insight Dental Q1 2023

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