General Dental Council
- Established in 1956 to set and maintain standards in UK dentistry
- Aims to protect the general public from unqualified dental professionals
- Headquarters located in Wimpole Street, Marylebone, London
- Aims to promote confidence in dental professionals and be at the forefront of health care regulation
- Entirely funded by the profession it regulates
Registration of dental care professionals
- GDC regulates dental professionals such as dental nurses, dental technicians, dental therapists, dental hygienists, orthodontic therapists, and clinical dental technicians
- Dental nurses were able to voluntarily join the GDC register since July 2006, and it became mandatory in July 2008
Overseas Registration Exam
- Administered by the GDC to test the knowledge, skills, and professionalism of candidates
- Designed to ensure that UK graduates and overseas dentists have the same basic level of knowledge and skills
- Consists of two parts: Part 1 tests application of knowledge to clinical practice, and Part 2 tests practical clinical skills
Council
- The Council consists of 12 members, 6 registrants, and 6 lay members
- Changes in the Council structure occurred in October 2013, with new governance arrangements
- Council members are appointed and supported by the General Dental Council (Constitution) (Amendment) Order 2012
History
- Established in 1956 through an amendment to the Dentists Act 1948
- Restructured over the years, with a decrease in the number of members
- In October 2009, a smaller fully appointed Council with 24 members was formed
- Last elected Chair of the GDC was Kevin OBrien from 2011 to 2013
- Further restructuring occurred in October 2013
The General Dental Council (GDC) is an organisation which regulates dental professionals in the United Kingdom. It keeps an up-to-date register of all qualified dentists and other dental care professionals such as: dental hygienists, dental therapists, dental nurses, dental technicians and clinical dental technicians. It was established in 1956 to set and maintain standards in UK dentistry, with the aims of protecting the general public from unqualified dental professionals.
Its headquarters are in Wimpole Street, Marylebone, London.
The General Dental Council has also stated that it aims to promote confidence in dental professionals and to be at the forefront of health care regulation. The GDC is tasked with ensuring that all dental professionals maintain up to date knowledge, controlling the quality of dental education in the country, ensuring a proper quality of care is given to the patients, and helping any patient who has questions or complaints. It is meant to act as a bridge of communication between the government, public and the dental professionals.
The General Dental Council is entirely funded by the profession it regulates.
