GDC regulation extends beyond fitness to practise investigations and hearings. Dentists and dental care professionals can encounter a range of regulatory issues affecting their registration and ability to practise.

We provide specialist advice on GDC registration, restoration, disclosure and professional conduct matters, helping dental professionals understand their regulatory obligations and manage potential risks before they develop into formal proceedings.

GDC registration advice

Registration with the General Dental Council is fundamental to practising as a dentist or dental care professional in the UK.

Problems concerning registration, applications, disclosures or eligibility can have significant professional consequences.

We advise on regulatory issues affecting registration and help clients understand the requirements and evidence that may be necessary to support an application or address concerns raised by the GDC.

Restoration to the GDC register

For professionals who have previously been removed from the register, restoration can be an important step towards returning to practice.

Restoration applications may require detailed evidence addressing the circumstances that led to removal, subsequent remediation and the applicant’s current fitness and suitability to practise.

We can advise on the requirements applicable to your circumstances and assist with preparing the strongest possible application and supporting evidence.

Disclosure and professional conduct advice

Dental professionals may have obligations to disclose certain matters to the GDC.

These can include issues arising from criminal proceedings, employment, professional complaints or other regulatory matters. Understanding what needs to be disclosed, when it needs to be disclosed and how the disclosure should be presented can be important.

We provide practical advice designed to help professionals meet their regulatory obligations while avoiding unnecessary regulatory risk.

Preventative GDC regulatory advice

Not every regulatory problem begins with a formal fitness to practise investigation.

Dentists and DCPs may seek advice about difficult professional situations before deciding whether a formal response is necessary.

We can advise on matters including:

• complaints and concerns raised by patients;
• professional conduct issues;
• communication with employers;
• disclosure obligations;
• clinical and professional documentation;
• responding to concerns about practice;
• potential GDC referrals;
• professional boundaries; and
  managing emerging regulatory risk.

Early advice can provide an opportunity to resolve problems before they escalate.

Protecting your professional reputation

For dental professionals, regulatory issues can affect far more than GDC registration. They can impact employment, professional relationships, income and reputation.

Obtaining specialist advice at an early stage can help you understand the regulatory implications of a situation and make informed decisions about how to respond.