GDC launches 12-week consultation on fitness to practise guidance

The General Dental Council (GDC) has opened a 12-week public consultation on proposed updates to its guidance for case examiners and its undertakings bank, as part of its ongoing work to make fitness to practise (FtP) processes fairer, clearer and less daunting for all involved.

The consultation, which runs until 23:59 on 18 June 2026, invites views from anyone with an interest in or knowledge of the FtP process, including registrants, legal representatives, and those who raise concerns with the GDC.

Reducing fear of the process

The GDC has acknowledged that FtP investigations can feel lengthy, complex and intimidating. This review forms part of a sustained programme of work to address that, with the proposed changes aimed at improving clarity, supporting proportionate decision-making and increasing transparency about how case examiner decisions are reached.

Case examiners play a critical role in the FtP process. Working in pairs, one registered dental professional and one lay person, they assess allegations of impaired fitness to practise during the investigation stage and determine whether a case should proceed to a practice committee hearing.

Key proposals include:

• Strengthened guidance on allegations of sexual misconduct, discrimination and harassment, reflecting the seriousness of these concerns
• Standardisation of the publication period for warnings to 12 months
• An updated undertakings bank that better reflects the distinct nature and purpose of undertakings
• Plain-language revisions throughout, to make the guidance more accessible to registrants, their representatives and those raising concerns

Some updates align the case examiner guidance more closely with existing practice committee guidance, ensuring a consistent approach across the FtP process.

Quote from Tom Whiting, Chief Executive and Registrar, GDC:

"Our vision is to be a trusted and effective regulator that supports dental professionals to provide safe and effective care for their patients. A key part of that is ensuring our fitness to practise processes are fair, efficient and proportionate and that we improve transparency, which is one of our values.

"It matters that the guidance used to make these decisions is up to date, clear and supports decision-makers to act consistently at every stage. This consultation gives the sector an opportunity to review the proposed revisions, and I would encourage anyone with an interest in this area to read the consultation materials and share their views."

This consultation sits within a broader programme of FtP reform. Changes already implemented include:

• A streamlined approach for single patient clinical concerns — now expanded to include less serious conduct concerns — which has halved the initial assessment stage from 30 to 16 weeks
• Enhanced practical support for registrants, informants and witnesses, including hearing support coordinators and improved provision for vulnerable witnesses
• Regular training for GDC caseworkers and managers, delivered by a specialist mental health charity, to help staff identify and support participants who may be in distress

How to respond

The consultation is open now and closes at 23:59 on 18 June 2026. The GDC encourages all those with an interest in the FtP process to review the proposals and submit their views via the online form.

The Dental Technologists Association (DTA) represents the interests of dental technologists across the UK.