Disclosure Scotland Checks for Dental Practices

It's crucial for practice owners, dentists, and administrative staff to be well-informed about these legal responsibilities to uphold the safety and trust of both patients and colleagues. This guide aims to clarify the compliance process with Disclosure Scotland's requirements for dental practices, providing straightforward, actionable advice.

What is the PVG Scheme?

The Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme helps ensure people who are unsuitable to work with Children and Protected Adults cannot work with these vulnerable groups. For dental practices, this means ensuring that all clinical and certain non-clinical staff undergo appropriate Disclosure Scotland checks to confirm their suitability.

PVG Checks from a previous Employer

An employee's or potential employee's PVG certificate from a previous employer does not give the Practice up to date disclosure information, such as new vetting, a barring, or considerations for listing. Importantly, without directly linking your practice to an employee's PVG Scheme membership, you will not receive ongoing notifications about their suitability to work.

Undertaking PVG Checks will support your practice's NHS Combined Practice Inspection.

Eligible Roles for Disclosure Scotland Checks

There are several different job roles within a Dental Practice and not all of them are eligible for the same type of check.

Roles which are eligible for Disclosure Scotland checks are:

• Clinical Staff (Dentist, Dental Nurse, Dental Hygenist, Dental Therapist) are eligible for a PVG Scheme check. Positions who have line management responsibility of these positions are also eligible for a PVG Check.
• Non Clinical Staff such as Dental Receptionists are eligible for a Standard Disclosure Check.

Special Considerations for Dentists

When a dentist joins a health board's dental list, the board will check that the individual is a member of the PVG Scheme. The dental practice that is taking on the dentist will also need to carry out the same check. This is because the dentist is engaging with two bodies, the health board, and the practice. It's essential for Disclosure Scotland to be aware of both bodies that would need to be informed if the dentist was ever removed from the PVG Scheme.

How do I request a PVG Check for my employee?

You can obtain a PVG Scheme check for the following positions - Dentist, Dental Nurse, Dental Hygienist, and Dental Therapist, from Scottish Disclosures. We can progress online PVG checks on your preferred candidates or a PVG update on your existing employee.

How do I request a Standard Disclosure Scotland Check for my employee?

You can obtain a Standard check for the position of Dental Receptionist. Please contact us at info@scottish-disclosures.co.uk where we can progress a Standard application form on your behalf