Latest Updates from the GDC

Changes to rules for international registration 

Changes to the rules for the registration of internationally qualified dental professionals will come into effect on 9 March 2024. The rules, now made by our Council, provide the basis for the introduction of an Overseas Registration Exam (ORE) application processing fee and to increase examination fees to ensure costs are recovered and fees are allocated fairly.

These initial changes mean that we can now take further steps to deliver additional ORE capacity while we modernise the international registration framework.

Find out more about the outcomes of this consultation on our website.

Updated guidance on indemnity and insurance published

We have published the outcome report to our consultation on updating the Guidance on Indemnity and Insurance, along with the revised guidance that will come into effect from 12 February 2024.

We received a good number of responses to our consultation with most welcoming the proposed changes to the guidance. We also received much valuable feedback and suggestions for improvements, all of which has helped shape the finalised guidance.

Although the updated guidance does not introduce any new requirements for dental professionals, it clarifies the requirements around holding cover that will compensate patients who have suffered harm, in the event of a successful claim.

We encourage dental professionals to familiarise themselves with the updated guidance as it now provides more information to better support them to meet their responsibilities towards patients, including information on the additional benefits to consider when choosing cover, such as wellbeing support.

Sign up to the January events on Exploring Professionalism

There are just three weeks to go before we have our first online event to continue our exploration of new ways of setting standards and guidance for the dental team.

The online events will take place on Wednesday 10 January (15:30-17:30) and Tuesday 16 January (18:30-20:30) and will build on the series of events we held in the Autumn.

Representatives from a variety of organisations from the dental sector will join us to discuss:

what we have heard from dental professionals and other stakeholders so far
what the role of the GDC and other organisations is in providing guidance for dental professionals
what support is needed from the GDC and others before any changes are made to the current model of standards and guidance.

Everyone joining the events will have opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback.

Our future regulatory framework starts to take shape

Government proposals to provide the General Medical Council with the necessary powers to regulate aesthesia associates and physician associates have been presented to parliament, following a public consultation held this year. The proposals were presented as a template for future reform for all healthcare professional regulators, including the GDC.

The template for reform is now starting to take shape, but more work is needed to develop a framework that will work for all healthcare professional regulators, and the timetable for future reforms remains uncertain following this round of consultation.

Legislative reform is needed to deliver our functions more effectively and with greater efficiency, and we will continue to press for regulatory reform to accelerate, with the support of our stakeholders. In the meantime, we will continue to make improvements where we can within our legislative constraints.

Find out more about regulatory reform on our website.

Guidance for the Interim Orders Committee updates published

We have now published updated guidance for the Interim Orders Committee, part of the independent Dental Professionals Hearings Service. The Interim Orders Committee is responsible for considering and controlling immediate and serious risks to public safety and confidence. The updates follow a public consultation held at the start of the year.

The changes promote consistency in the approach to immediate risks and support decision-making that is proportionate and appropriate to the risks posed. Updates include giving additional weight to the seriousness of concerns relating to sexual assault, harassment and violence, and providing further guidance on adjournments and postponements.

You will find the updated guidance and conditions bank for the Interim Orders Committee and glossary of terms on the Dental Professional Hearings Service website.