If you have any queries, please contact us:

LDC SECRETARY

Mr. Nick Stolls

The Secretary, Norfolk LDC,

26 Redenhall Road, Harleston

IP20 9ER 

Day Tel:    01379 854466  

Day Fax:   01379 854172

Home Tel: 01379 586547

stolls.fam@btinternet.com

What is the LDC and what does it do?

LDCs were set up in 1948, becoming Statutory bodies under the 1977 NHS Act. As such PCTs have to consult with the LDC on matters of local dental interest. We represent any dentist in the county of Norfolk who holds an NHS list number with the PCT. Also we represent PDS practitioners, assistants and deputies provided they have expressed a wish to be represented by the LDC and private practitioners. 

The members of the LDC are elected to represent the interests of those dentists listed above both pastorally but also should problems arise in their professional lives they are available for advice and help. 


The LDC is involved with providing input into several dental committees in Norfolk including
· Professional Executive Committees (PECs) of PCTs
· Oral Health Advisory group
· Clinical Governance within the PCTs
· Patient representative groups


LDC members also assist in
· Dental discipline committee (Poor performance) ensuring the dentist involved is supported
· Providing members for DPB appeals
· Advising PCTs over complaints against dentists ensuring the dentists interests are represented positively
· Feed back of grass roots views nationally

 

Following the NHS reforms in 2006, local commissioning and developments in the provision of NHS dental services. LDCs will also make nominations to or may be consulted about membership of certain committees of the Primary Care Organisation.

In Scotland while health boards do consult LDCs, the role of the LDC does not have a statutory basis. 
There are over 130 LDCs in the UK.

Regional groups/ Federations of LDC's

In England LDC Secretaries and Chairs meet on a regional basis to discuss issues affecting the profession. These Regional Groupings have formal constitutions and adhere to Strategic Health Authority (SHA) boundaries.

LDCs involved in these groupings find them a very useful way of developing communication across the locality, while maintaining an individual LDCs autonomy. The BDA would encourage any LDC not currently part of a grouping to consider joining or forming one in their area.

Norfolk LDC is at present funded by a Statutory Levy, paid by subscribing practitioners on a monthly basis. The Levy is used to pay committee expenses such as meeting rooms, hire of equipment, reimbursement of loss of income for representatives on LDC duty, travelling expenses for representatives and other administrative expenses.