Latest updates from the GDC
View from the Chair
Our Chair, Lord Toby Harris, thanks dental care professionals for providing data about their working patterns, reflects on the latest research into the public’s experience of dentistry and looks ahead to 2025.
Latest round of research into the public's experience of dentistry published
Our latest research into the public’s views and experiences of dentistry in the UK examines a variety of issues, including demand and access to services, affordability, and public confidence in dentistry.
Key findings include:
- Significant barriers to accessing dental services persist, especially within the NHS. Younger individuals, ethnic minorities, and urban residents face greater challenges in accessing services.
- Affordability continues to be a major concern. Nearly one-quarter of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the cost of dental treatment. The cost-of-living crisis has exacerbated this, with many prioritising urgent treatment over preventative care to save money.
- People have significantly more confidence in the quality of dental care in the UK (62%) than in their ability to access it (32%).
- While just over half (52%) stated no change in their confidence in how dental care is provided, 24% reported being less confident, with most blaming access issues for this decline and many others citing the rising costs.
You can read the full report on our research hub.
Consultation on assessed applications to Specialist Lists now open
We recently launched a 10-week consultation on amending the routes for assessed applications, which looks at the ways dentists can gain entry onto the GDC’s Specialist Lists. We believe the proposed amendments can bring about a number of benefits, including greater clarity for applicants, a fairer and more meaningful opportunity to demonstrate applicants’ suitability for admission, and increase the transparency and fairness of application processes.
Respond to our proposals by email or using the online survey. You will find the details in the consultations section of our website. The consultation closes on 12 September (23:59).
Annual Report and Accounts 2023 published
We have published our Annual Report and Accounts for 2023, providing an overview of our work, including the key stats and figures for our Registration and Fitness to Practise functions, and our financial performance.
In their joint statement, GDC Chair, Lord Toby Harris, and Chief Executive, Tom Whiting, said:
“As we look forward to the rest of 2024, we are confident in our Costed Corporate Plan and that it will help us play our part in working with the whole dental sector to support the continuing recovery of dentistry. This includes legislative change around how we register overseas dental professionals. We also remain committed to improving our regulatory activities where we can in the absence of legislative reform, while always ensuring that the public are protected.
“The GDC sets the framework for professional regulation and ensuring patient safety. But it is dental professionals themselves who deliver safe and effective care to their patients and whose professionalism we support. We are deeply appreciative of all that they do.”
You can find the full report on our website.
Response to DHSC proposals on an NHS tie-in for graduate dentists
Just before the General Election the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) invited comments on proposals for an NHS tie-in for graduate dentists in England. We submitted our response to the consultation in July, which included data from the dentists’ working patterns survey.
While our role does not extend to the provision of NHS services, we have set out where we believe further consideration of the risks to patient safety and public confidence is needed. Drawing on insights from our working patterns data, we have highlighted the benefits of doing further work to understand the potential behaviour changes from the proposals and the need to focus on making the NHS an attractive career choice.
You will find our consultation response on our website.