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LDC conference raises hackles
23rd Jun 2006
Dentists from across the country gathered together last week to attend the 55th annual conference of the Local Dental Committees (LDC). Held at the Tower Guoman Hotel, London, delegates rolled their eyes in frustration when the Health Minister cancelled her visit yet again. In a letter to Dr Brian Skinner, Rosie Winterton said she was ‘saddened to cancel due to diary difficulties’. The news follows the rage generated at the BDA conference earlier this month, when Winterton eloquently avoided answering any questions. Dr Skinner met with the minister in an earlier meeting before the conference, and relayed her comments to delegates on the day. To the onslaught of insults from dissatisfied dentists, Dr Skinner stood his ground. He said: ‘Let me tell you we did oil a few hinges with little reliance from her advisors, and we have an invitation for another meeting in six months time.’ On questions of quality of care, UDAs, access, orthodontics, referrals, the answers were disappointing. Her responses followed the same vein: ‘I’m delighted this has been raised, and I hope to work with the implementation review group to fine tune this…etc, etc.’ Referring to the £100m announced last week, the Minister said it would be rolled out across two years – not in one year. In the next breath she said: ‘But how would you like to spend it?’ On dentistry was the answer from the committee! As one delegate said to conference: ‘It’s the same old, same old, what did you actually achieve seeing her face to face? Do you really, really think by meeting the minister she will say, “oh yes, I’m wrong, I’ll change my mind!”’. Another said: ‘Can I suggest you let some of us ladies attend so we don’t fall for her flirting? – You should have been more aggressive, instead of falling for her patronising manner.’ There should have been just one question, bellowed one dentist. ‘Why did she not attend conference? If she can face the House of Commons, she can certainly face us!’ Listing the committee’s achievements, Lester Ellman, chair of the BDA’s General Dental Practice Committee fought back. He said: ‘These frustrations are widely understood, but we have repeatedly said that the new contracts are flawed and the implementation of them up to 1 April was shambolic. ‘We have worked hard to get the DoH to move and it is always a thankless task, but one that we hope bears some help.’ Peter Ward, the BDA’s chief executive said: ‘This war has not ended and there is still time, so lets join together and continue this fight.’
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