What the New Scope of Practice Means for Dental Technicians

The General Dental Council (GDC) has officially launched the new Scope of Practice documents today, 1 November 2025, replacing the previous version with immediate effect.

At a recent seminar led by Ross Scales (GDC) and attended by Tony Griffin (representing the Dental Technologists Association, DTA), the updates were discussed in detail to raise awareness among all members of the dental team, with particular focus on Dental Technicians and Clinical Dental Technicians (CDTs).

Key Takeaways for DTA Members

Nothing has been lost from the previous Scope of Practice. The new version is more logical, streamlined, and easier to follow, but all previous permissions for trained and indemnified Dental Technicians remain in place.

The GDC strongly encourages all registrants to read Section 1 (the first seven pages) of the new document. This section provides crucial context on how to interpret the profession-specific pages in Section 2. Without understanding Section 1, registrants risk missing the full intent and flexibility built into the framework.

The DTA has been actively involved in consultations and has pushed hard to ensure that the voices and professional aspirations of Dental Technicians are reflected in the final document.

Other Sources of Guidance

In section 1.8 on page 8, the GDC also reminds registrants that they must understand and follow all other laws and regulations that affect their practice.

There are external standards and legal frameworks which may permit or restrict certain tasks and which set out specific training or development requirements, these are not set by the GDC but are still binding on all registered professionals.

For example, there are legal requirements covering the manufacture of custom-made dental devices (such as those regulated by the MHRA), and medicines legislation determining who can supply or administer medicines.

Failure to comply with these wider regulations, standards or laws could put a professional's GDC registration at risk. This section reinforces the expectation that all registrants must stay up to date with legal, safety and regulatory obligations alongside their clinical competence.

Professionalism, Competence, and Indemnity

The updated document reinforces the GDC's emphasis on registrants being:

• Professional in their conduct

• Competent in their skills

• Properly indemnified for any extended scope of practice activities

Extended Dental Technician duties

With further training, insurance to cover extended scope areas and under appropriate supervision as part of a multidisciplinary clinical team, Dental Technicians can:

• Take impressions, intra-oral scans, and measurements for making dental appliances

• Carry out implant frame assessments

• Record occlusal registrations

Dental Technicians may also see patients directly, outside a multi-disciplinary team, for specific tasks such as denture repairs and shade taking.

Dental Technicians wishing to expand their role are encouraged to align their development with the new Safe Practitioner Framework, designed to help individuals assess and evidence their skills.

Safe Practitioner Framework for Dental Technicians (GDC)

In Summary

"The new Scope of Practice doesn't take anything away - it simply makes it clearer, more accessible, and more supportive of professional growth," said Tony Griffin, DTA representative. "It's a positive step forward for our profession and reinforces the trust placed in qualified, competent Dental Technicians."