Dentists Act 1984

[F1Insurance]U.K.

Textual Amendments

F1S. 26A and cross-heading inserted (coming into force in accordance with art. 1(4)-(7) of the amending S.I. (see the London Gazette, issue nos. 57734, 57975, 58050 and 58769, dated respectively 19.8.2005, 5.6.2006, 21.7.2006 and 18.7.2008)) by The Dentists Act 1984 (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2011), art. 16 (with Sch. 7) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2006/1671)

[F226A.Indemnity arrangementsU.K.

(1)A registered dentist who is practising as a dental practitioner must have in force in relation to him an indemnity arrangement which provides appropriate cover for practising as such.

(2)For the purposes of this section, an “indemnity arrangement” may comprise—

(a)a policy of insurance;

(b)an arrangement made for the purposes of indemnifying a person;

(c)a combination of the two.

(3)For the purposes of this section, “appropriate cover”, in relation to practice as a dental practitioner, means cover against liabilities that may be incurred in practising as such which is appropriate, having regard to the nature and extent of the risks of practising as such.

(4)Rules may make provision in connection with the information to be provided to the registrar—

(a)by or in respect of a person seeking registration in the register for the purpose of determining whether, if his name is entered in the register, there will be in force in relation to him by the time he begins to practise an indemnity arrangement which provides appropriate cover;

(b)by or in respect of a person seeking restoration of his name in the register for the purpose of determining whether, if his name is restored in the register, there will be in force in relation to him by the time he resumes practice an indemnity arrangement which provides appropriate cover; and

(c)by or in respect of a registered dentist seeking retention of his name in the register for the purpose of determining whether, if his name is retained in the register, there will continue to be in force in relation to him an indemnity arrangement which provides appropriate cover.

(5)Rules may make provision requiring a registered dentist to inform the registrar if there ceases to be in force in relation to that dentist an indemnity arrangement which provides appropriate cover.

(6)Rules may make provision requiring a registered dentist to inform the registrar if there is in force in relation to that registered dentist appropriate cover provided under an indemnity arrangement by an employer.

(7)Rules made under subsection (4) may require the information mentioned there to be provided—

(a)at the request of the registrar; or

(b)on such dates or at such intervals as the registrar may determine, either generally or in relation to individual dental practitioners or dental practitioners of a particular description.

(8)Where a person fails to comply with rules made under subsection (4), or there is a failure to comply with rules made under subsection (4) in relation to him, the registrar may—

(a)refuse to register his name in the register;

(b)refuse to restore his name to the register; or

(c)erase his name from the register.

(9)Where a registered dentist is in breach of subsection (1) or fails to comply with rules made under this section—

(a)the registrar may erase that person's name from the register; or

(b)the breach or failure may be treated as misconduct for the purposes of section 27(2)(a) , and the registrar may accordingly refer the matter to the Investigating Committee under section 27(5)(a) .

(10)Where a person's name has been erased from the register under subsection (8)(c) or (9)(a), that name shall be restored to the register on that person's application, if he satisfies the registrar that he meets the requirements of—

(a)section 15(3)(a) to (c);

(b)this section; and

(c)any rules made under section 34B which apply to that person's case.

(11)This section does not apply to a person who is registered by virtue of section 36 and Schedule 4 (visiting dentists from relevant European States).]