Our team celebrates by reflecting on their experiences in designing comprehensive cover and support for dental professionals, and what makes it different.
Len D’Cruz, Head of BDA Indemnity
The mutual indemnity providers such as Dental Protection (DPL), Dental Defence Union (DDU) and Medical and Dental Defence union of Scotland (MDDUS) provide discretionary cover.
BDA Indemnity provides contractual insurance which means you know exactly what is covered and you will have a detailed policy that explains the contract and provides you with certainty. This means you can have peace of mind while you look after your patients.
In the unlikely event that you feel we have not been fair in dealing with your case, it is reassuring to know that you can seek the support of regulators like the Financial Conduct Authority and The Financial Ombudsman Service. The mutual providers do not have these safeguards. If they decline to support, you would be left on your own at a very stressful time in your career.
Our Advisors
The team supporting BDA Indemnity has evolved over the last five years to cope with the growing numbers of members who have heard about the quality of the indemnity team and have now purchased a policy.
These reflections look back at the development of the only indemnity for dentists that blends dento-legal expertise, with the full breadth of the other advisory services embedded within the BDA.
Joseph Ingham, Dento-Legal Advisor
BDA Indemnity is often asked to provide a speaker for a local branch or section meeting, or a larger national event, such as Showcase. Legal and ethical issues, as well as complaints handling, are GDC recommended CPD topics, so it is hardly surprising that these speaker requests are so frequent.
One of the most asked questions following a lecture is, ‘how do I get to work for an indemnity organisation?’ Never within earshot of other delegates, such questions are always asked discreetly on a one-to-one basis. This tells me two things: firstly, a lot of dentists would like an alternative to providing clinical care. Secondly, I am lucky that my career path has resulted in me working with a small but immensely talented group of people at BDA Indemnity. While the role is not without its challenges, these are offset by the camaraderie of the dento-legal advisors (DLAs) and our incredible support staff. It remains a privilege to assist colleagues in what is often the lowest point in their career.
Clare Lawrence, DLA
Having worked in the dento-legal field for several years, I feel very fortunate that I am now working for BDA Indemnity. Not only do I believe in the indemnity product that we provide, but we also have a connection, like no other organisation, to the BDA itself. This means that if the indemnity route is not the best place to obtain the advice being sought, we can direct members to one of the other BDA advisory services to obtain the information they need.
Our indemnity team is hugely passionate about seeking the right outcomes for fellow dentists and we go the extra mile to protect them by fighting their corner. Not only do we have first-hand experience as dentists, in all aspects of dentistry, both in primary and secondary care, but we also understand the dento-legal field in detail. The vast background of the team means we have seen, and been involved in, almost every type of case and its outcomes, obtaining the best possible resolution whenever possible.
Shreeti Patel, DLA
The most attractive feature of BDA Indemnity is the experience of our DLAs, whose seamless expertise is there for our members. The team of DLAs has spent many years in clinical practice, and some still do. Several of the team have also accumulated many years of dentolegal experience having previously worked with other indemnity providers.
The team is experienced in all areas of dentolegal work but, whatever the cause, we all know that any professional challenge is very worrying and can lead to a high level of stress. At such times, the support of another dentist who understands the issues, can be invaluable. This is why our members can always speak to an experienced DLA when they call.
All our cases are handled by the DLA and not a case manager which frequently makes the turnaround better than other providers. We are an insurance-backed indemnity provider, and yet, still give advice 24/7 and assist with written complaints. Since its inception five years ago, our indemnity policy is only available to BDA members who can now access complete support for their professional career.
Susie Sanderson, DLA
I am very proud to be working for BDA Indemnity as part of an experienced team of dentists with shared values, commitment and a collegiate approach to problem solving. We’ve all worked in dental practice and know just how stressful it is to have our work and patient care challenged by patients themselves or by a third party acting on their behalf. This is the motivation for us to provide our dental colleagues with swift, properly considered, accurate, and empathetic advice.
My biggest sadness is that a culture of fear of litigation or GDC investigations has grown over the last few years, particularly among our younger colleagues. The whole BDA Indemnity team appreciates this, and we know how important it is to provide the prompt assistance and honesty that creates additional value to the support and reassurance we provide.
Russell Heathcote-Curtis, Dental Advisor
I have been involved with BDA Indemnity since its inception and it has been a real privilege to have spoken to so many of my dental colleagues while explaining the concept of a “one stop shop” for all their dental needs. Whatever problems or questions a dentist might have, the combination of BDA membership together with a policy from BDA Indemnity will ensure they can find the help needed for any aspect of dental practice. And if you are facing a legal or regulatory challenge it is reassuring to know that you will always be able to get help by speaking to an experienced dentist when you call.
Bindiya Thakrar, DLA
As the most recent advisor to join the BDA indemnity team, I have been struck by the high level of dedication they share. As well as being incredibly knowledgeable, the DLAs will often go above and beyond the call of duty, to ensure that policy holders receive sound advice, from evidence-based knowledge, all in a timely manner. The same ethos can be found in everyone working for BDA Indemnity.
All the advisors you speak to are experienced clinicians, something other indemnity providers may not always offer. Their experience provides insight into what happens when you are challenged by a patient. We understand that receiving a complaint or a letter from a solicitor is one of the most stressful events in a career, and we will aim to resolve the issue as quickly and favourably as possible.
In addition, as a BDA member with an indemnity policy, you can access the wealth of other BDA resources available to support you when professional problems arise.
David Croser, Consultant Dental Advisor
My involvement with indemnity providers has usually been on the communications side, which over the years allowed me to interact with dental associations and indemnity arrangements from many different countries. It soon became clear that there were many advantages for any dental association that worked with a preferred indemnity provider or developed its own insurance policy. I often wondered why the BDA had not done something similar. And five years ago, they did.
The fragmentation of the UK market began somewhat earlier, and the competition between providers (Insurers and Mutual Defence Organisations) resulted in a wide choice of indemnity arrangements. But three things struck me as particularly beneficial about the creation of BDA Indemnity:
- Access to another dentist when a legal challenge arises
- A unique policy that covers all aspects of dental practice whether as an associate or business owner
- The recent addition of BDA Indemnity alongside the existing BDA services provides a one-stop solution for members, whatever professional problems arise.
