Dental Protection has welcomed the new Guidance on Reporting Matters to the GDC, which consolidates reporting requirements for dental professionals into a single, comprehensive document.
The guidance brings together all reporting obligations, including health, criminal, and regulatory matters, into one place, helping professionals to more easily understand and meet the expectations that protect patient safety and public confidence in the profession.
Raj Rattan, Dental Director at Dental Protection said: “We know from supporting members that declaring information about yourself to the GDC can be very stressful. If you are charged with a criminal offence – including road traffic offences – knowing that this could potentially impact your professional registration can be a real concern. The same is true for professionals with health issues that impact their practice and who are often already dealing with a range of challenges prior to involving their regulator.
“We welcome the clarity that this new guidance will provide. It is a good thing to have guidance that brings together all the requirements and although we know that there is more to do, this is a step in the right direction.
“However, the GDC should be doing more to encourage local resolution of conduct and performance issues – whilst this is called out in the guidance, it could and should be highlighted better.
“Dental Protection members should seek advice and support from us before any self-referral, and if in any doubt as to whether to self-refer. For serious offences, the impact on public confidence needs to be carefully considered, and whether informing the GDC would help maintain confidence in the profession.”
The new guidance will take effect from 1 February 2025 and can be accessed here.
