Latest updates from the GDC - May 2022
The GDC’s chair meets dentists, dental nurses and dental deans
Our Chair, Lord Toby Harris, has been talking to dentists, dental nurses, dental deans and those who work in private practice this month to discuss sector challenges, priority issues, and the understanding of our role as a regulator.
In his latest update, the Chair has welcomed the PSA’s recognition of our work to improve timeliness in fitness to practise, and restated our commitment to resolving investigations as quickly as we can within current legislative constraints.
DHSC consultation on international registration closes tomorrow
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is consulting on proposals for changes to our international registration legislation. The consultation closes 6 May.
We’ve welcomed the proposals from DHSC, as they afford the flexibility needed to make proportionate, clear and robust rules for the registration of those who qualify outside of the UK. One aim of the proposals is to address long-standing capacity issues with the Overseas Registration Exam which have been exacerbated by COVID-19.
You can review and comment on the proposals online.
PSA review of GDC performance 2020/21
The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) published its 2020/21 performance review of the GDC in April 2022, finding that we met 17 of the 18 Standards of Good Regulation. You can find further details on our 2020/21 performance review online.
Update to IPC guidance from UKHSA
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) updated the guidance for Infection prevention and control (IPC) for respiratory infections in health and care settings (including SARS-CoV-2) for winter 2021 to 2022, and the COVID-19: inflection prevention and control dental appendix, on 14 April.
The guidance applies across the UK, with an addendum from Public Health Scotland.
GDC at Dentistry Show on 13 and 14 May
We will be at the Dentistry Show at the NEC Birmingham on 13 and 14 May.
Visit us on Stand K90 or come along to our presentations at the Dental Nurses' Forum and Dental Technology Showcase on the Friday afternoon. We’ll be sharing findings from our research on perceptions of the GDC, what we’re doing to shift them and explaining our responsibilities as the regulator of dental professionals.
This will be the first in person external event we’ve attended in over two years, and we would love to meet as many of our stakeholders as possible. We look forward to seeing you there.
GDC at the NES Annual Virtual Conference 2022
We joined the NHS Education for Scotland Annual Virtual Conference 2022 in April, speaking about our role as a regulator in a time of change. Discussions at our well-attended session focused on our activities in Scotland and our approach to regulation during the pandemic.
We’re attending a number of events across the UK in the year ahead. They’re a valuable opportunity for us to engage with the dental professions and other key stakeholders, to clarify our role, understand the priorities of others and encourage contributions that help to inform our thinking.
Six-month review of support for those with conditions or undertakings
Development support arrangements for dental professionals in England who have conditions or undertakings as a result of a fitness to practise investigation were changed last year, following the withdrawal of the service from Health Education England. Six months on, we brought together key stakeholders to check that those affected by the changes were getting the support they needed.
We’re pleased to report that there have been no significant issues, although the number of dental professionals needing development support has been low over the period. We agreed some minor improvements to our guidance, and to meet again later in the year. Thank you to all those who took part and supported the implementation of the revised arrangements.