The Council has recently been dealing with a number of matters where practitioners have failed to ensure that their professional indemnity insurance (PII) arrangements were current. The Council thought it timely for a reminder to be provided to all dental practitioners.

As you should be aware, registered dental practitioners who undertake any form of practice must have PII arrangements in place.  These arrangements must comply with the Dental Board of Australia’s (the Board) registration standard Professional Indemnity Insurance Arrangements.

Practitioners are also required to make declarations relating to their PII arrangements when applying for registration with the Board and when renewing their registration each year.

There may be serious implications for both you, and your patients, where you fail to have PII arrangements in place that meet the Board’s standard.

In addition, you are obligated to notify the Board, within seven days if, during your registration period, you no longer have PII arrangements in place that meet the standard.  This is a requirement under s.130 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW) and is referred to as a notice of certain events. Failure to do so may constitute behaviour for which health, conduct or performance action may be taken by the Council.

Now may be the perfect time to check the currency of your PII and/or to set a reminder to renew your PII!