 |
 |
|
News and AnnouncementsNational NewslettersNewsletter (September 06) Contents of Email to Members dated 18 September, 2008:Dear members, A protest against the APC fee increase for dental technicians has been maintained for a lengthy period and NZIDT have endeavoured to find a way to resolve this along with many other matters. Please find attachments of correspondence sent to the Dental Council regarding the APC protest and their reply. The executive recognise that although points contained in our letter remain unresolved, the apology provides a reasonable basis to make further progress. As a demonstration of good will on the part of NZIDT the executive believe it is now appropriate to settle outstanding APC payment for this financial year. We are now in a strong position to take swift actions based on accurate feedback from the wider NZIDT membership combining the coming AGM and our online database system. NZIDT will vigorously pursue the remaining issues raised in our attached letter. Putting an end to the APC protest removes any questioning of our support for registration, but doesn't remove the opportunity for NZIDT to take further action if it is deemed necessary. Some members will have already received a letter notifying them of a DCNZ timeline for making payments. We suggest members contact DCNZ and if they are unable to meet the deadline set negotiate a date that they are able to settle the outstanding fees. If members experience any problems with this please contact us via the NZIDT secretariat and we will participate on your behalf. It is looking like we will be very close to 200 delegates in Christchurch and we look forward to seeing you all there. Craig Metcalfe Executive Update:Dent Technicians Under Threat of Deregistration - NZIDT Position: The NZIDT is aware that there is a group comprising of members and non-members who see deregistration as a means of avoiding the compliance requirements imposed by the Dental Council of New Zealand. On Saturday 26th July 2008 the executive considered the implications of deregistration and for the following reasons does not believe this is in the best interests of members. NZIDT has looked into the issues relating to registration of dental technicians and has concluded that it should continue to support Registration for the following reasons:
Current Situation: Currently a volume of work is being sent to unknown and unregulated overseas laboratories to avoid paying the higher costs of the New Zealand market place. The regulated New Zealand environment makes it difficult for these large overseas companies to provide an on site New Zealand service as they would be required to achieve the same standards of compliance when operating in New Zealand. Deregulation would remove all barriers for entry to New Zealand and enable large operations to open with unknown standards that include workforce and materials used. Comparisons might be made with the results of the deregulation of the taxi and building industries. The executive believes that bargain basement dentistry would ensue and over a period of time dental technology businesses in New Zealand would be faced with lowering their standards and or wages and profits in order to compete. An increased portion of the public would ultimately suffer, as without any surety of regulated standards it would be a lottery as to whether the appliance fitted was of a safe standard. The consequences for public health would take time before it became apparent. Unfortunately by then the harm would have already been caused. There is evidence in various countries that supports this view. NZIDT Action: Tackling the problem of imported dental appliances is challenging. The executive has agreed to sponsor research into standards of imported dental work. Any evidence of harmful materials from this research will be valuable in the effort to maintain safe and comparable standards for the New Zealand public. This evidence will form part of a strategy to address the unfair and potentially unsafe practise of importing dental work from unregulated laboratories. The executive share many concerns and frustrations with compliance requirement imposed by the DCNZ, however, our members have never indicated support for deregistration as a solution. Members from the executive are meeting with the Ministry of Health on August 1st to discuss a way forward with the impasse we have with the DCNZ. For the past three years the executive has attended meetings, written letters, utilised legal expertise and worked at all levels to try and resolve matters. We are able to demonstrate to the Ministry that we have made a genuine effort to communicate and work through issues with the DCNZ. This is a fundamental part of the process required. The basis of our position is included as a separate attachment. A meeting is scheduled in Auckland on 11th August and in Wellington on Monday 26th August to discuss these matters and others relating to the respective branch. Members from other regions are encouraged to schedule meetings for this month. These meetings are for members only, however, new memberships will be welcomed. The AGM / Conference is scheduled for Friday 11th of October in Christchurch. It will be important to attend if you wish to have input on these and other matters. NZIDT membership continues to grow and this has enabled the executive to attract solid support from supply companies for the conference. This has helped us achieve a strong financial position that continues to benefit our members. NZIDT executive intends to take the position that it rejects all disputed decisions taken by DCNZ. NZIDT will define its own policies for our members to enable us to self-regulate under the HPCA act. NZIDT will notify the DCNZ of it’s policies and modify only those areas where DCNZ is able to supply verifiable evidence that our polices are likely to cause any significant harm to the public. Members will then operate under the policies and guidelines they set. NZIDT executive will continue with further dialog in order to find resolutions to any concerns DCNZ has with our policies.
Update of activites June 2008 (Uploaded 24 June 08):Fee IncreaseThe NZIDT has taken a stand and as you will be aware has advised members only to pay last year’s fee until we receive clarification of the fee increase. There were a number of issues here; the obvious one being the increase, the other was the fact the DCNZ did not consult prior to doing the increase. The NZIDT requested the DCNZ justify the increase, they have sent a letter that outlined costs on the 12th of June and the NZIDT executive is considering the letter. Short Course for CDTsVincent Bennani has offered to run a course on complete dentures in conjunction with the NZIDT. NZIDT will work together with him to set up and run a course for CDTs. The course will have a theory session and hands on session. (Further information will be posted when ready) Implant Overdenture (IOD) courseThe NZIDT proposal made last year to enable all CDTs to carry out two ball mandibular implant overdentures was declined by the DCNZ. The NZIDT has requested that the decision be justified and is awaiting a response from the DCNZ. IOD referral process and scopeIt was noted and appreciated that the DCNZ had changed its viewpoint on the interpretation of the wording “final fit for IODs are the responsibility of the prescribing dentist.” This has been revised and now the CDT only has to ensure the patient is referred back to the dentist for ongoing maintenance. Database DevelopmentThe NZIDT database is close to being launched and will be an online database accessed through our web browser. The application is has been tested with and is compatible with Internet Explorer and Firefox. All transactions with the database use Secure Socket Layers (SSL) to keep the data secure. The database records membership of the New Zealand Institute of Dental Technologists. It keeps records on each member including name, business name, addresses, contact details, membership status, financial status, invoicing, branch membership and more. One of its main functions is to allow NZIDT members to record their Continuing Professional Development. Future Developments
Removal of temporary crownsDental Association support DTs and CDTs to do this – Board does not favour any change of the scope – believe best step for NZIDT and NZDA to discuss and come up with solution. NZIDT is to write to NZDA and put together a joint submission. There is a need to identify protocol via people who want to do this. Interested executive members are going to approach dentists in their local areas and formulate a submission. Also a letter will be sent to the NZDA to start dialog on the topic. Conference OrganisationThe NZIDT is committed to delivering a 2 day conference with dental company involvement. Refer NZIDT website. DCNZ Auditing ProcessDCNZ audits 5% of DTs or CDTs every year. They have just done 2 or 3 of these for the first time. They go through the registration from that is filled out each year with the individual that is being audited. Individuals are audited not laboratory. People felt it could be a waste of time until he did one – however afterwards the participants felt it is very valuable. It was felt that it gave the technician a better idea of where they are at and what is required. Approach is low key and non-threatening. CorrespondenceA Tauranga company has corresponded with the NZIDT raising the issue of overseas work being sold in New Zealand. This issues comes down to the person who is fitting the work is responsible i.e. the dentist. NewsletterNo more newsletters will go out via mail the internet and email will be the main communication tool for members. If individuals request information be sent via mail CLAD will arrange this service, but it is hoped that all members will provide email addresses. MOUThe executive is in the process of revising the draft MOU the DCNZ supplied. Medical Emergence CourseApproved Red Cross training course – available in 2008. Refer NZIDT web page for details.
Valid: HTML 4.01 | CSS |
Back to top