Scotland has launched a new scheme which seeks to protect vulnerable people while having medical treatment, including dental treatment.

Under the scheme the UK General Dental Council (GDC) must share information with the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme. Dentists must also abide by a number of principles as laid down by the GDC. These include maintaining ‘professional knowledge and competence’ which is principle 5 out of 6.

This particular principle also expects dentists to “find out about laws and regulations which affect your work, premises, equipment and business and follow them.”

The PVG replaces a previous scheme in which dentists and others had to disclose personal information. It is hoped the new scheme will strike a better balance between the actual need to protect children and others, and proper regulation. There has been criticism that people were over regulated.

It isn’t clear as yet what information about dentists should be disclosed to the new governing body of the PVG. Dentist leaders are currently in negotiations. Patient confidentiality is also something that must be protected.

Dentist employers will be sent new PVG application forms shortly.

In associated news, it has been reported that more people than ever in the Western Isles of Scotland are signing up with NHS dentists.

Shona Robison, who is Scotland’s Public Health Minister told local reporters in Stornoway: “I am pleased to see that more people in the Western Isles have access to a NHS dentist.

“Across Scotland, an extra million people, including the vast majority of children living north of the border, now have access to NHS dental treatment.

“With increased access to dentistry we expect to continue to see improvements in the oral health of the nation.”