Latest updates from the GDC - October 2022

View from the GDC Chair 

Our Chair highlights the value of building relationships and understanding with stakeholders and the professions during his first year in the role. In his October blog post, he also reflects on the views submitted by dental professionals during the consultation on our strategic plans for the next three years. And in a look to the future, points to the economic uncertainty being felt by us all and the forthcoming Council decision on renewal fees. 

Student Engagement Programme 2022/23 begins

We are now getting in touch with education and training providers to arrange dates for the 2022/23 student engagement programme. We will again be speaking to all first and fifth year BDS students and are also encouraging dental therapy and dental hygiene, or dental technology students to attend.  

Please confirm your dates online, or if you have a group of students who would be interested in learning more about the GDC, and our role as their professional regulator, please get in contact by email.

Whistleblowing disclosure report 2021 published

The Whistleblowing disclosures report 2021 includes disclosures made to the GDC, and seven other healthcare professional regulators. The number of whistleblowing disclosures made to the GDC during the reporting period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022 has fallen from 93 last year to 61 this year, with the number of professionals raising concerns relating to the pandemic reducing over the period.  

Speaking up to protect others is important, and we encourage it where there are serious concerns about public safety or confidence. We have continued to review our processes and procedures for the identification of whistleblowers, including recognising how whistleblowing concerns differ from other concerns raised by dental professionals about dental professionals, often called ‘blue on blue’.

You can out more about whistleblowing disclosures on our website.

Professional health and social care regulation conference 2022

The professional health and care regulation conference, Looking to the Future, will take place on 24 October 2022 in Edinburgh. GDC speakers include our Chief Executive and Registrar, Ian Brack, who will lead on the pressing need for regulatory reform, and other speakers discussing the importance of promoting professionalism, diversity in dentistry and public and patient engagement.

Council Member, Angie Heilmann MBE, will chair a panel discussion on what we’ve learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. You will find all of UK professional health and care professional regulators at this popular event, with contributions from the Scottish Government, DHSC, and the Professional Standards Authority.

Attendance is free of charge, but you will need to register your attendance at what is widely acknowledge as the UK’s principal regulatory conference.