CDO letter
CDO(2022)4 – CDO Letter – Legionella Risk Assessment
The CDO has issued a letter today advising of the publication of updated SDCEP guidance on Legionella Risk Assessments and the impact of this on dental practice inspections. A copy of the letter can be viewed below.
CDO(2022)3 – CDO Letter – Survey Reminder
The CDO has issued a letter today encouraging those whohave not already done so, to complete the survey on the list of treatment items. The survey will remain open until 23.45 on 31 July 2022. The letter also contains further information on the dental reform advisory group. A copy of the letter can be viewed…
CDO(2022)2 – CDO Letter – Updated Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
Please find attached the updated SOP for dental teams in Scotland updated 4 April 2022. These sections reflect the main and important changes made to the current guidance by ARHAI (Anti-microbial Resistance and Health Care Infection) Scotland and approved by the COVID-19 Nosocomial Review Group (CNRG).
De-escalation of COVID-19 infection prevention and control (IPC) measures
The Chief Nursing Officer’s Nosocomial Review Group (CNRG) have reviewed the advice from the Antibiotic Resistance & Healthcare Acquired Infection (ARHAI) group of NHS NSS and that the COVID guidance has been amended. The proposed changes come into immediate effect and are outlined in a letter DL(2022)07 A letter from the Chief Dental Officer indicates…
Managing Impact of COVID-19 on NHS Dental Services Over the Winter Period
The Chief Dental Officer has written to the profession to provide an update on managing the impact of COVID-19 (Omicron) over the winter period within NHS dental services. The Dental SOP has also been revised and a copy of this is attached, along with the FAQ and DL Letter regarding daily LFDs for Healthcare Workers,…
Revised Scottish Dental Access Initative
This letter PCA(D) (2021)8 provides details of a further revision of the Scottish Dental Access Initative (SDAI) which takes effect from the 20th December 2021. Download a copy of PCA(D)(2021 )8
CDO Letter – Red Band Hand Pieces
In a letter today the Chief Dental Officer has highlighted: requirements of equipment eligible for the allowance and; the NES webinar: “Reducing AGPs, Using Red Band Hand Pieces and Electric Micromotors in Practice”.
CDO Letter – Deputy Chief Dental Officer for Scotland Appointments
In a letter today, the Division of the Chief Dental Officer for Scotland announces three new Deputy Chief Dental Officers. The successful candidates bring a wealth of experience to their roles, which will support our continuing remobilisation and recovery phase, as well contributing to the development of Scotland’s major programme of change in the delivery…
CDO Letter – Infection Prevention and Control guidance
In a letter today the Chief Dental Officer has provided an update on some forthcoming actions in relation to infection prevention and control IPC guidance. It indicates that work is underway, led by Public Health England but involving all UK countries, to examine government policy for people who have been vaccinated, this work includes: A…
CDO Letter – Activity Management- General Dental Services
Today the Chief Dental Officer has released a letter providing further information regarding activity monitoring in the General Dental Services during the continued pandemic restrictions. Initial notice of the policy was provided in PCA(D)2020 (13) and this letter outlines the next steps. Download a copy of the letter CDO(2021)7
CDO Letter on Antimicrobial Prescribing
Notification of changes to prescribing guidance in the light of the remobilisation of services after COVID-19.
Scottish Government Policy on ventilation in dental premises
This letter from Tom Ferris the Chief Dental Officer announces that funding of up to £5 million will be available from the Scottish Government for the dental sector to help dental practices purchase, renew or upgrade ventilation equipment that meets the requirement of 10 air changes per hour. The scheme will run during the current…
CDO Letter, 13 April 2021
Letter from the CDO covering the Ventilation Survey, LFD Testing and the COVID-19 Surveillance Programme.
CDO Letter regarding Ventilation Survey
Your Designated Dentist should complete this survey by 23rd April 2021.
COVID-19 Surveillance Programme in Dental Settings
The Chief Medical and Dental Officers have just issued a letter indicating that the dental asymptomatic infection screening programme is to be discontinued at the end of March 2021. Public Health Scotland has published findings of the programme from August to December 2020 and a final report will be published in May 2021. Download a…
Latest COVID Restrictions, 05 Jan 2021 – CDO Letter
CDO Letter clarifying the position for dental practices following the further restrictions announced from 5th January 2021.
Rent Reimbursement and QI Cycle- CDO Letter
The Chief Dental Officer (CDO) has issued a letter today providing information on the practice premises revaluation exercise and quality improvement (QI) activity. Download a copy of the letter CDO(2020)17
CDO Letter – Full range of NHS dental treatments from 1st November
In a letter released today, Tom Ferris CDO Scotland announced that, as of Sunday 1st November dental contractors will be able to provide a full range of dental treatments to NHS patients. This announcement follows the recent publication of the Scottish Dental Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP) ‘Review of Aerosol Generating Provcedures in Dentistry’ which improves understanding…
CDO letter and NHS advice about FFP3 respirators
Scotland’s Chief Dental Officer and NHS NSS Clinical Directorate address have written to dentists about the safety of the 3M 1863 FFP3 respirators provided by NHS Scotland to allow the provision of urgent aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) in practice.


