The Government’s HTM 01-05 decontamination guidelines do not reassure dentists
During March 2010, the NHS Supply Chain launched the national decontamination contract offering a range of tested products by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) after the British Dental Association (BDA) had requested review of the HTM 01-05 decontamination guidelines for dental surgeries by National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
The significance of this contract is that dental practices not part of an NHS organisation may only order from NHS Supply Chain’s dental decontamination national framework agreement, not from any other of NHS Supply Chains. The Guidelines aim to streamline the supply process as competitive rates so that patients may have a cleaner and safer environment for dental care through quality decontamination of reusable equipment.
The BDA showed concern over the impact of the standards demanded by HTM 01-05 and the lack of evidence to suggest adequate scientific reference. The issue of cross-infection control was raised by MP Hollingbery to the Health Secretary suggesting that NICE check both the evidence base and the cost-benefit analysis. Government denied the request.
Health Minister Simon Burns responded that the scrutiny from their expert working group comprised of the Spongiform Encephalopathies Advisory Committee (SEAC) and the Advisory Committee on Decontamination Science and Technology (ACDST previously ESAC-Pr) ensured validity and adequate assessment of risk. Senior Buyer at NHS Supply Chain, Karen Chell, announced that “All dentists can now save time sourcing products to meet HTM 01-05 standards and be secure in the knowledge that they meet the latest decontamination standards.”
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