Latest updates from the GDC

View from the Chair: Listening to stakeholders and sharing learning from complaints and concerns

The GDC Chair, Lord Toby Harris, reports on recent events where we’ve been hearing from registrants and stakeholders about the issues they’re facing and how we might be able to lend our support, and highlights the shared learning from the recent review of the Dental Complaints Service.

Dental Complaints Service enquiries reach new high

The Dental Complaints Service (DCS) recorded its highest ever number of new enquiries last year, as more people turn to private dental care. Over a thousand new cases were opened, and the DCS helped to resolve twice the number of cases in 2024 than it did the year before. The DCS promotes local resolution of complaints by first asking patients to raise any issues with their dental practice.

And last year, most issues were effectively handled by the practice or dental professional involved, with only 30% of cases progressing to mediated resolution by the DCS. Around 80% of the cases concluded last year related to clinical practice. The most common treatment types referred to by patients were dentures, implants and removable braces.

The DCS Review 2023 and 2024 provides insights from the cases it helped to resolve over the two-year period to support further learning and prevention, and Shamir B. Mehta, GDC Senior Clinical Adviser, explores what can be learned from complaints and concerns about clear aligner treatment in his new blogpost.

Heading to the Dentistry Show in Birmingham?

You will find us at Stand N10 at this year’s British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show. The event takes place on 16 and 17 May 2025 at the NEC Birmingham. If you’re attending, please stop by for a chat. We look forward to connecting with you during the event.

Our Executive Director, Regulation, Theresa Thorp, will be taking part in a panel discussion called 'Fitness to Practise: A Case for Change' being held on Saturday 17 May at 9.30am.

Theresa will be speaking about the importance of reducing the adverse health and wellbeing impacts of fitness to practise investigations, due to their effects on professionals and patient care. For example:

heightened stress can cause errors in practice
anxiety can lead to defensive practice, and
stigma can lead to individuals leaving the profession.

Theresa will explain how recent process improvements, such as the use of initial inquiries and staff training and development, are helping us to improve timeliness and support, and will set out our future priorities, including plans to shift our focus from enforcement to compliance.

We also attended BDIA Showcase last month. You can find the full speech given by GDC Registrar and Chief Executive, Tom Whiting, which provides details of our priorities for 2025 and beyond, on our website.

For more about the British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show.

Consultation on the reform of NHS general dental services in Wales

The Welsh Government has launched a consultation on proposals to reform the way NHS dentistry is delivered through General Dental Service contracts in Wales. Responses need to be submitted by 19 June 2025.

The key changes proposed are:

Creating a single route of entry for people to access NHS dental services.
The implementation of a different remuneration system that is fairer and more transparent.
Disincentivising unnecessary routine examinations.
Adjustment to patient charges due to changes in the remuneration system and a shift in how these charges are to be collected.
Changes to contract terms and conditions, such as parental leave.

You can find out more and respond online.

Change NHS: Your priorities for change

You’re invited to share your priorities for change in the NHS by responding to a new survey focusing on the emerging ideas from the first round of engagement. Your views will be considered as part of development of the 10 Year Health Plan for England. You have until 5pm on Monday 14 April 2025 to respond.

Respond to the priorities for change survey.

Disclosure Scotland changes now in effect

Anyone working in a regulated role with children or protected adults must be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme from 1 April 2025.

The PVG scheme is administered by Disclosure Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. It undertakes criminal and other relevant background checks to help safeguard the public. You can find further guidance on regulated roles and the change from Disclosure Scotland.

Contact Disclosure Scotland if you have any questions.