GDC’s plan provides frameworks for how they plan to manage uncertainty while furthering their ambition for a flexible and responsive regulatory framework that:
- maintains dental education and training standards
- supports the registration of those who meet GDC’s standards
- provides public protection if a dental nurse professional falls short of expectations
GDC is about to enter an important period of transition for the dental team as they look to modernise their standards and guidance, putting more trust in dental professionals to exercise their judgment and professionalism while meeting the oral health needs of their patients.
Their strategic priorities are to keep building effective prevention strategies and operating a proportionate system for resolving concerns, to further their ambition to shift the balance from enforcement to prevention. The strategy includes plans to embed new principles of professionalism and focusing GDC’s investigations on the most serious concerns.
The GDC will be focusing on their core functions and making improvements where they can, because GDC recognises that the timetable for reform is far from clear or certain. GDC’s regulatory framework has not been fundamentally updated for four decades and its weakness is becoming increasingly apparent. Reform is necessary if they are to become more agile and improve their efficacy and performance, and will continue to press government.
The GDC also know there are issues facing dentistry that fall beyond their remit, such as widening health inequalities and access to NHS dental services, but where they can play a role. GDC’s strategy includes proposals of how they could contribute, and they are particularly interested to hear views from their stakeholders on their proposals and any opportunities to engage.
Estimated fee levels have been articulated at a level that is fair to dental professionals and that will ensure GDC can sensibly manage financial risks caused by high and volatile inflationary pressures, ensuring they continue to be a sustainable regulator.
The General Dental Council expects fees to be higher than the levels set in 2019, to around £730 (+7%) for dentists and to around £120 (+5%) for dental care professionals. These are their current best estimates of the level at which the fees will be set, and the actual level will be set in relation to the final expenditure plan following this consultation.
Inflationary risks are affecting everyone in the UK and GDC’s expenditure plans have been formulated with this in mind. GDC will further manage inflationary risks going forward by:
- continuing to drive efficiencies and challenge GDC costs before fees are set in October each year
- committing to limiting any further increases in 2023 to the rate of inflation, unless further exceptional circumstances arise.
Ths GDC’s consultation provides stakeholders with an opportunity to help shape GDC’s strategy for the next three years, and they invite all those with an interest in how dental professional are regulated to share their views.
The full plans are published on GDC’s website for your advanced review.
The online form for consulation is now available online.
Following the GDC’s announcement, BADN – the association for dental nurses in the UK, will be lobbying GDC to not raise the Annual Retentian Fees for dental nurses, the lowest paid members of the dental team. We also encourage all dental nurses to respond to the consultation.
