Paul Mottram was re-elected chair of the General Dental Practice Committee (GDPC) Private Practice Sub-Committee, and said private dentistry increasingly needs to be sensitive to external pressures to ensure businesses are sustainable.
Paul said “Our costs are rising, and as dentists in private practice, we have to ensure our businesses are sensitive to an increasingly volatile environment. Personally, I have seen more changes than ever in the last five years and being a part of the BDA has helped me to cope with those rising pressures. We are stronger as one profession, we are all independent business people, and we need to work together.”
The group discussed associates’ views of working in private practice, ensuring they have an understanding of the business environment. Associates need to have support and mentorship as they develop their private practice, so that they can gain clinical skills, build up a steady patient list, and know how to maintain realistic earnings.
The group consider and represent the need of GDPs in both private and mixed practice and make recommendations to the GDPC on policy and campaigning work.
New representative Neelam Prasad was welcomed to the group. Robert Middlefell was elected the cross representative for the Federation of Small Businesses, and Stuart Johnson elected cross representative to the British Medical Association’s private practice committee.
The pressures on private practice
The committee discussed the rising costs of running private practice, including wage increases, regulatory pressures, recruitment and retention issues, and the need to ensure private practitioners can share patient records across the sector and refer appropriately.
There were concerns over private practices knowing what they need to do to be compliant with the different regulatory agencies, and acknowledgement of the advice and support the BDA can offer. With some dentists diversifying and moving into cosmetic treatment, it was felt it is essential to ensure you are practising within the law.
Our new dental market insight report was highlighted as a great tool for members to access to keep informed and help make critical business decisions.
The committee also plans to ensure MPs are aware of the important role private dentistry plays in the UK market, and the pressures practitioners are under.
Find out more about the GDPC Private Practice Sub-Committee and how you can get involved in the BDA.
The GDPC Private Practice Sub-Committee members discuss the issues facing the sector today.