GDC Updates September 2024

The September updates from the GDC are now available including the following articles on registered dental care professional numbers and updated guidance on voluntary removal applications

Number of registered dental care professionals increases

The number of dental care professionals on the register has increased again. Following the recent annual renewal period, there were 75,905 dental care professionals on the register, an increase of 5.7% on the equivalent figure for 2023.

Working pattern data was volunteered by 58% of dental care professionals, and will be made available over the coming months. Thank you to everyone who provided their details.

See the figures following annual renewal.

Updated guidance on voluntary removal applications

Dental professionals can ask to be removed from the register at any time and it is normally an administrative process, except where there is a public interest in concluding an investigation. We have recently updated our guidance for use in situations where voluntary removal has been requested by a registrant who is subject to fitness to practise proceedings.

Applications for voluntary removal are likely to be granted where allegations are at the lower level of seriousness, and the dental professional involved confirms that they want to leave the register permanently. Where there are serious public protection concerns, investigations are likely to be concluded before voluntary removal is granted, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Find out more about leaving the register.

Also included in the September update: Chair's blogpost, covert surveillance guidance updates, new specialty curricula, live consultations and more ORE dates and more. 

Read the full GDC September 2024 Updates