Proposed changes to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012

Dental hygienists and dental therapists are trained, indemnified, and competent in the use of certain prescription-only medicines. BADT and BSDHT  have been working together, with the NHS England project, to propose changes to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 to include the use by dental hygienists and therapists of a mechanism called exemptions. 

Being able to use the exemptions mechanism will mean that:

• dental hygienists and dental therapists will be able to supply and administer certain medicines to patients that would normally need a prescription from a dentist.  
• dentists would be relieved of an administrative burden.  
• fewer patients would be turned away for treatment due to changes in their needs. 
• the dental hygienist or dental therapist would be able to treat their patient with the medicines they are trained, indemnified, and competent to use in a timely fashion, resulting in fewer appointments with fewer costs incurred by patients and dental practices. 
• there is a reduction in the number of interruptions to a dentist to ask them to prescribe a medicine.  

They believe that this would help dentists, dental hygienists, and dental therapists to provide safer, quicker, and more comfortable care for their patients. 

A Public Consultation on this proposal opened on 15th October. This will remain open for 8 weeks and the BADT and BSDHT would appreciate your support in completing the survey.

The Public Consultation can be found HERE
The consultation surveys can be found HERE