General Dental Council

The General Dental Council is an independent organisation responsible for the statutory regulation of the dental team including.

-Dentists

-Oral and maxillofacial surgeons

-Dental nurses

-Dental therapists and dental hygienists

-Dental technicians

-Clinical dental technicians

-Orthodontic therapists

Members of our Healthcare Team have extensive experience in representing registrants before the Interim Order Committee and Practice Committees (Professional Conduct Committee, The Professional Performance Committee and The Health Committee)

Cases are referred to the Initial Assessment Team and are investigated by Caseworkers who decide whether the case should proceed to Case Examiners.

The Case Examiners consider the allegation(s), any comments from the dental professional, and any further comments from the person who raised the concern(s). All parties receive a complete copy of the paperwork to be considered (other than material containing sensitive health information).

It is often critical that Legal representation is secured at the Interim Order/Case Examiner Stage as it is the first opportunity that the dental professional has to provide details of their case.

Deans Court barristers provide expert legal advice about how best to prepare and present the dental professional’s case. Their approach and advice on strategy will ensure that the case is addressed effectively at all stages. They are expert in the advocates’ skills of cross examination and presenting submissions before the GDC on behalf of the dental professional.

Cases include:

-Dentist with EU qualifications who faced over 140 charges including fraud and failures to maintain adequate care in relation to radiography, oral hygiene and periodontal treatment.

-Dentist who faced false allegations of fraud

-Statutory appeal for GDC; case dismissed on preliminary issue of extension of time; appearing in case below, concerning allegations incl. dishonestly placing cow bone material without informing patient and in earlier proceedings concerning failure to obtain informed consent and inaccurate website statements.

-GDC case concerning allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a dental nurse and clinical failings.

-Representation of a dentist who had qualified in a non-EU country and after qualification had practised for several years both abroad and in the UK. He ceased practice approximately 10 years ago in order to qualify as a doctor which he has done. He wished to progress in his chosen field of oral and maxillofacial surgery but found that dual registration with the GDC was necessary, so he reapplied for GDC registration. He has no intention of practising again as a dentist. His application was refused based on the age of his dental qualifications and lack of recent experience. The GDC’s position was that that meant he could not demonstrate the “requisite skills and knowledge” demanded by the Dentists Act. The GDC did, however, acknowledge that his qualification was a “recognised overseas diploma” for the purposes of the Act. The case centred on consideration of the arcane complexities and legal interpretation of Article 34 of “Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications” and sections 15 and 16(2)(2A) and (2B) of the Dentists Act.