The Coronavirus crisis is affecting everyone; however, it is having a particularly big impact on the dental profession following the recent announcements from the Chief Dental Officers of all four nations. As you will be aware, the Chief Dental Officers are currently advising on a reduction in the level of service dental practices should offer and the types of procedures that are no longer permitted due to the risks associated with the Coronavirus for both the patient and dental professionals. Additionally, in recent days the BDA have advised their members to cease trading until further notice, although this isn’t the advice of the UK Government as of yet.
The BACDT have consistently offered advice and information based on the recommendations laid out by the UK Government and their leading scientific advisors, and this will remain the position of the BACDT for the foreseeable future.
At times of national crisis, it is imperative that we all pull together and support one another, it is with this in mind that the BACDT Board have decided that all subscriptions will be on hold for a 3 month period starting from the 1st April (subs for the 29th March will still be called) and during that period we will, upon the usual membership application process, allow any registered CDT and student CDT access to membership free of charge for 3 months. The purpose of this is to ensure that all CDTs in the UK are able to have access to all the information that we have available to the association in order to preserve and support the profession of Clinical Dental Technology in the UK.
It is hoped that by allowing everyone access, we can avoid false information and indeed misleading information being spread across the profession at a time when we need clarity and clear guidance.
By freezing the subs for all, the BACDT’s resources will be stretched to their limits and indeed we will be changing the way in which we are handling enquiries to reflect this. Rather than the usual telephone contact for the membership, all enquiries must be sent to info@bacdt.org.uk As well as this, the BACDT Board have made themselves available to aid the association on a more operational basis for the foreseeable future. Importantly, all Coronavirus information will be emailed to every member; such information will reflect any new advice that is issued specifically from any of the regulators in dentistry, business support organisations, and/or the UK Government as well as information released to us from any of the four Chief Dental Officers.
As a member of the BACDT, I hope that you will benefit from the 3 months freeze of subscriptions; you do not need to do anything with your bank, as the office is able to manage all of this centrally. I also hope that as a current member of the BACDT you see the value in us opening the door to everyone at this time. During this period of social distancing, the BACDT Board and I believe that this is the time for all of us to get closer and support one another.
I want to assure you that the BACDT are completely behind all our members and are representing you and the CDT profession at the highest level on a daily basis, particularly during the Coronavirus crisis. Equally, I want to wish you and your families health over the next few months; we hope you stay safe in these unprecedented times.
Best wishes,
Steve Taylor
BACDT President