All the dental devices we use are strictly regulated to ensure that the products on the market are safe and effective. As such manufacturers, distributors and others involved in supplying the £1 billion+ dental product market all have obligations under the regulations and invest significantly to achieve compliance.

Dental professionals also have an important role to play, and the British Dental Industry Association (BDIA) has prepared a series of short regulatory explainers to help members of the dental team understand the importance of regulation and how to make sure that you and your practice remain compliant.

BDIA Chief Executive, Edmund Proffitt, says; ‘There are growing threats to both patients’ and a professionals’ safety arising from the use of counterfeit and non-compliant dental devices. These are generally purchased via some online vendors, usually at knock-down prices, and from disreputable suppliers. The BDIA has produced its FAQs to help dentists and dental practices understand how dental devices are regulated, and how important it is to use correctly certified products.’’

All registered dental professionals have an obligation to identify and follow relevant regulations under the GDC’ s Standard for the Dental Team (Standard 1.9.1: You must find out about laws and regulations that affect your work and follow them). That is why the BDIA has produced a simple video guide to device regulation and FAQ documents covering Medical Device Regulation, Counterfeit and Non-compliant devices, Importing Medical Devices and Chairside Manufacturing.

Counterfeit and non-compliant devices can put you and your patients at risk, so it’s important to understand the dangers of these products and what you can do to avoid them.

The video and FAQs are available to download, please visit https://bdia.org.uk/what-we-do/device-regulation-faqs/