How the LDC can help you.
Why join the LDC?
Dentistry is a rapidly changing profession with new regulations and guidance been publised on a weekly bases.
Keep up-to-date with the latest news and developments and more important be apart of the pre-discussions and help shape the future.
The LDC’s role includes:
- Representation on the NLDC.
- Contract discussion with Local NHS England.
- Funding of both GDPC and BDA representatives to feed local issues to a national level.
- Hold AGMs where dentists can network with other dentists in their local area.
- Hold 3 monthly general meetings- all welcome
- Sends representation to the LDC Conference where motions are proposed for the GDPC to negoagiate with the DoH.
- Support members who are having difficulties.
- Future the interest of dentistry in the area.
- Arrange Seminars and conferences for local dentists and staff
What is the LDC and what does it do?
LDCs were set up in 1948, becoming Statutory bodies under the 1977 NHS Act. As such PCTs have to consult with the LDC on matters of local dental interest. We represent any dentist in the county of Norfolk who holds an NHS list number with the PCT. Also we represent PDS practitioners, assistants and deputies provided they have expressed a wish to be represented by the LDC and private practitioners. The members of the LDC are elected to represent the interests of those dentists listed above both pastorally but also should problems arise in their professional lives they are available for advice and help.
The LDC is involved with providing input into several dental committees in Norfolk including
– Professional Executive
– Committees (PECs) of PCTs
– Oral Health Advisory group
– Clinical Governance within the LDN’s
– Patient representative groups LDC members also assist in Dental discipline committee (Poor performance) ensuring the dentist involved is supported
– Providing members for DPB appeals
– Advising PCTs over complaints against dentists ensuring the dentists interests are represented positively
– Feed back of grass roots views nationally
Following the NHS reforms in 2006, local commissioning and developments in the provision of NHS dental services. LDCs will also make nominations to or may be consulted about membership of certain committees of the Primary Care Organisation.
In Scotland while health boards do consult LDCs, the role of the LDC does not have a statutory basis. There are over 130 LDCs in the UK.
Regional groups/ Federations of LDC’s
In England LDC Secretaries and Chairs meet on a regional basis to discuss issues affecting the profession. These Regional Groupings have formal constitutions and adhere to Strategic Health Authority (SHA) boundaries.
LDCs involved in these groupings find them a very useful way of developing communication across the locality, while maintaining an individual LDCs autonomy. The BDA would encourage any LDC not currently part of a grouping to consider joining or forming one in their area.
Norfolk LDC is at present funded by a Statutory Levy, paid by subscribing practitioners on a monthly basis. The Levy is used to pay committee expenses such as meeting rooms, hire of equipment, reimbursement of loss of income for representatives on LDC duty, travelling expenses for representatives and other administrative expenses.