12 December 2011

Private dental complaints up by 24%

The Dental Complaints Service (DCS), which deals with complaints about private dental care, has revealed a 24 per cent increase in complaints from 1,180 in 2009/10 to 1,559 in 2010/11.

Of the 1,559 complaints it received in between May 2010 and the end of April 2011, 67 per cent were resolved within a week – a record it’s very proud of.

The statistics have been revealed in its Annual Review.

DCS Annual Review 2010-11 

The DCS, which was set up by the General Dental Council in 2006, provides a free, impartial service for patients and professionals to help resolve complaints as quickly and satisfactorily as possible for both parties.

When a complaint can’t be resolved with the help of a DCS complaints officer a panel meeting will be held. Twenty-three of these have been held in the 12 months to the end of April this year. Three trained volunteers (made up of lay and registrant members) help both parties bring the complaint to a close without the need for costly legal proceedings.

Head of the DCS, Hazel Adams said:

“We’re working hard with professionals and the public to ensure we’re able to provide one of the best complaints handling services in the UK. We are committed to being fair and impartial and we do not take sides.”

The DCS is keen to raise awareness of its role with the public and earlier this year produced a leaflet aimed specifically at patients. ‘Making a complaint about private dental care’ aims to guide patients through the process of raising an issue and the steps the DCS can take to help them reach a solution with their dental professional. Copies can be ordered online at www.gdc-uk.org

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