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The DDU’s John Makin shares his hopes for the dental profession in 2026 and concludes with a reminder that goodwill is not just for the holiday season. It’s frustrating that many of the things that I want to see happen in 2026 are echoes of last year. I won’t be alone in that but I’m optimistic that we aren’t set for a ‘groundhog year’.…
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John Makin shares his top tips for using social media responsibly as a young dentist – from maintaining professional standards to staying secure online. Whether it’s sharing learning tips with fellow students, connecting with the wider dental community or simply expressing yourself, social media can be a great tool when you use it responsibly. However,…
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John Makin explores the GDC’s revised CPD guidance documents and the impact these changes will have on dental professionals. A crucial part of being a dental professional is to identify your learning and development needs in a personal development plan. Your CPD should be the most appropriate needed to achieve these aims and your plan…
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Policy makers must address the unforgiving dento-legal weather created by fitness to practise procedures if they want to resolve the crisis in NHS dental provision, says the DDU’s John Makin. Winter storms often bring reports of affected communities who’ve just managed to get back on their feet after a deluge. That feeling of constantly battling…
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A new treatment plan: John Makin reflects on the state of the dental service at the end of the year and what needs to change in 2025. From The Sound of Music on TV to the annual reappearance of novelty jumpers and Slade on the radio, the Christmas season is all about repeats. While I…
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John Makin looks at embedding changes to direct access allowing hygienists and therapists to supply and administer prescription-only medicines. Since June this year suitably trained dental hygienists or therapists have been able to administer, sell or supply certain prescription only medicines (POMs). They can do so without a dentist’s prescription, a patient group direction (PGD)…
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The new government’s rescue agenda for dentistry must include GDC reform says John Makin, head of the Dental Defence Union (DDU). A fresh start is always welcome provided it brings new energy and a sense of purpose. I was pleased that the health and social care secretary, Wes Streeting, met with dental leaders in his…
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John Makin analyses the potential impact of the upcoming general election, and suggests what the public will expect from politicians and dental professionals alike. With the count-down on to polling day in this general election, it has been great to see the main political parties making commitments in their manifestos to improve provision of NHS…
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John Makin analyses the challenges and opportunities posed by recently announced changes to dental regulation and policy as a result of the dental recovery plan. We are in an election year and access to an NHS dentist is undoubtedly something that politicians of all parties will want to promise to their constituents. However, policies to…
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John Makin, head of the Dental Defence Union (DDU), discusses what needs to be done to reform dentistry in 2024. The state of dentistry will be one of the big talking points on voters’ doorsteps when the prime minister calls the next general election. There’s welcome political consensus that hiring, training and retaining more dental…
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John Makin advises practices to tread cautiously before making any changes based on the recent top-up fees judgement. Much debate has followed May’s Court of Appeal ruling against the GDC on the permissibility of top-up fees. The case itself was highly complex. But one of the Professional Conduct Committee’s (PCC) findings of dishonesty hinged on…
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John Makin, head of the Dental Defence Union (DDU), explains the impact of a government inquiry on professional morale. Fears about NHS ‘dental deserts’ appearing across the country are long-standing but have gained traction since the pandemic. Now, the Health and Social Care Committee has launched an inquiry into the issue of access, to which…
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John Makin clears up some confusion about making effective use of direct access. It is almost 10 years since the General Dental Council (GDC) abolished the requirement for a referral from a dentist before a patient could see a dental care professional (DCP). A decade on, there’s been a recent move to encourage the use…
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John Makin, head of the Dental Defence Union (DDU) on whether 2023 will be the year that regulatory processes become fit for purpose. With the war in Ukraine, the cost of living crisis and the delays impacting the NHS, there is not a lot of good news around at the moment. Which is why it’s…
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John Makin, head of the DDU, discusses the PSA report on GDC case delays and the need for government action. At the time of writing, we are awaiting the results of the Conservative party leadership contest. This will determine our new Prime Minister. In its run up, there has been an understandable focus on the…
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Action to fix our warped system is long overdue, says the DDU’s John Makin on clinical negligence costs. No one would question that when a patient is injured because of negligence, they should be fairly compensated. Regrettably, fairness is not a notable feature of a civil litigation system. Disproportionate legal costs are one of several…
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The process to be restored to the register has become increasingly difficult, says John Makin. There continue to be reports that patients in some parts of the UK are experiencing significant difficulties in accessing dental care. Our skills as dental professionals are in demand and that demand is going up all the time. This means…
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John Makin takes a closer look at the GDC’s latest feedback and calls for further legislation change over dental regulation. Every dental professional knows that feedback is an essential resource. Making an effort to find out what patients think shows you care. But most importantly, it enables you to reflect on strengths and weaknesses. This…
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Allowing practitioners to raise concerns in the dental practice is an important part of healthcare, John Makin says. October’s Speak up Month is a timely reminder that raising concerns effectively is an important element of ethical practice in the NHS and private sector. The initiative by the National Guardian’s Office aims to foster a healthcare…
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