Recognition for Dental Care Professionals

That this House commends the work of dental nurses, dental therapists, dental hygienists, orthodontic therapists and dental care professionals (DCPs) carrying out frontline work at Urgent Care Dental Centres during the covid-19 outbreak; notes that dental nurses in particular are a focal point in the provision of dental treatment delivered by clinicians; further notes that the DCPs are the largest group within the dental team, with 68,000 dental care professionals in the UK; recognises the vital work that this, often overlooked, profession carries out, providing essential care to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in both primary and secondary care settings; urges the Government to allow dental nurses and dental care professionals to fulfil their full potential, by making the contractual changes necessary for dental hygienists and therapists to open a course of dental treatment and prescribe medication under the exemptions mechanism; further urges the Government to improve the consistency and recognition of dental nursing qualifications; calls on the Government to expand dental nurses scope of practice, enabling them to use their skills during the backlog of the covid-19 outbreak and beyond; and further calls on the Government to improve the recognition of dental technicians and the essential skills they have in supporting and delivering care for vulnerable groups and the frail.