Thank you for contacting me about the British Association of Private Dentistry's tabled vote of no confidence in the Chief Dental Officer for England (CDO).
I know that, in April, the British Association of Private Dentistry (BAPD) was founded unofficially in response to concerns about access to dental care during the Covid-19 outbreak.
NHS England and the Chief Dental Officer have published regular updates about standard and urgent dental operating procedures for both NHS and private dental practices throughout this outbreak. Moreover, I know that the CDO and British Dental Association have been working to ensure private and mixed practices have access to all appropriate business support guidance to ensure that their staff are supported and that they are not put at risk by having to close.
I would encourage the BAPD to speak with the Office of the CDO for England directly to discuss their concerns. Other dental organisations have been in regular, constructive dialogue with that office, while I understand that the newly formed BAPD has not yet even made contact.
I know that, throughout all this, the safety of patients and dental teams has been foremost in the mind of the CDO and her team, and I congratulate them on their hard work.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me, and I will continue to monitor this issue closely.
