The GDC's Approach to Fitness to Practise
The GDC's fitness to practise process is governed by the Dentists Act 1984 (as amended) and the GDC's own procedural rules. Like other UK healthcare regulators, the GDC assesses whether a registrant's fitness to practise is impaired — that is, whether their practice poses a risk to patients, colleagues, or public confidence in the dental profession.
The GDC's Standards for the Dental Team sets out the professional obligations against which all registrants are assessed. Where a concern is raised, the GDC considers whether the conduct or practice in question fell below the standards in that document and, if so, whether it rises to the level of a fitness to practise concern rather than a purely clinical or service matter.
The GDC triages all complaints carefully. Clinical complaints that are better handled through NHS or practice complaints procedures, or concerns that do not meet the threshold for fitness to practise action, are often signposted elsewhere. A complaint being made against you does not automatically mean a formal GDC investigation will be opened.
The GDC Investigation Process: Stage by Stage
When a concern is received by the GDC, it is assessed to determine whether it falls within the GDC's remit for fitness to practise action. The GDC considers whether, if the allegations were proved, they could impair a registrant's fitness to practise. Concerns that do not meet this threshold are closed, often with guidance for the complainant about alternative routes.
If the threshold is met, you will receive a letter from the GDC formally notifying you that an investigation has been opened and setting out the concerns being considered.
The moment you receive a letter from the GDC, contact your dental defence organisation — Dental Defence Union (DDU), Dental Protection, or MDDUS. Do not respond to the GDC without their guidance. Your defence organisation has experience of GDC proceedings and their involvement from the outset is essential.
During the investigation stage, the GDC gathers evidence relevant to the concerns raised. For dental professionals, this typically includes:
- Dental records, radiographs, treatment records, and correspondence
- Statements from the complainant and any witnesses
- Expert opinion from an independent dental expert on the clinical standard of treatment provided
- Information about your employment history and any prior regulatory history
- Your own written response to the concerns
You will be given the opportunity to provide a written response at this stage. The quality and tone of this response — whether it demonstrates insight and accountability or appears defensive — can influence how the case is assessed at every subsequent stage. Prepare it carefully with your defence organisation's support.
In cases where the GDC considers there to be an immediate and serious risk to patients or public confidence in the profession, it may refer the matter to an Interim Orders Committee (IOC). The IOC can impose an interim suspension or conditions on your registration while the investigation proceeds.
An IOC order is not a finding of guilt and does not prejudge the final outcome. However, it can have immediate consequences for your ability to practise and must be taken seriously. If you receive a notice of an IOC hearing, seek urgent advice from your defence organisation.
Following the investigation, Case Examiners review the evidence and consider whether it meets the threshold for referral to a Fitness to Practise Committee. Their possible decisions include:
- No case to answer: The case is closed
- Advice: Guidance provided to the registrant without formal action
- Warning: A formal warning recorded on your registration and published on the GDC register
- Undertakings: Voluntary conditions on your practice agreed with the GDC
- Referral to Fitness to Practise Committee: The case proceeds to a formal hearing
Fitness to Practise Committee hearings are formal proceedings. Like other healthcare tribunal hearings, they proceed in stages: determination of the facts (to the civil standard of proof), assessment of current impairment, and — if impairment is found — determination of the appropriate sanction.
Sanctions available to the GDC range from a reprimand and conditions on registration through to suspension and erasure from the dental register. Erasure is reserved for the most serious cases.
The most common areas of concern in GDC fitness to practise cases include inadequate clinical record-keeping, failure to obtain valid informed consent, substandard clinical treatment, issues of probity and honesty, and unprofessional conduct. Each of these maps directly to specific standards in the GDC's Standards for the Dental Team.
Remediation for GDC Cases: What Counts
Demonstrating genuine remediation is critical in any GDC fitness to practise case. The GDC's Fitness to Practise Committee considers remediation in assessing both current impairment and the appropriate sanction. Evidence that carries weight includes:
- Accredited CPD specifically addressing the area of concern — for example, a certified course in dental ethics, clinical record-keeping, or informed consent if those are the areas raised
- A maintained reflective log demonstrating sustained engagement with the issues raised
- Clinical supervision with a named supervisor and written report
- Employer references that address the specific concerns, not just general professional performance
- Documented changes to practice — updated protocols, new consent processes, audit evidence
See our guide on how to write a reflective statement for detailed guidance on structuring your reflection for regulatory purposes. The principles apply equally to GDC, GMC, and NMC cases.
All Probity & Ethics courses are certified by the CPD Certification Service (CPDUK). Our GDC remediation courses cover dental ethics, professional standards, probity, reflective practice, and professional boundaries — the areas most commonly at issue in GDC fitness to practise cases. All courses are online with an instant CPD certificate.
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CPD UK Certified courses in dental ethics, probity, and professional standards — written for dental professionals facing GDC investigations. Available online. Certificate on completion.
Browse GDC Remediation CoursesFrequently Asked Questions
Who can refer a dentist to the GDC?
Patients, employers, NHS bodies, other healthcare professionals, the police, courts, and other regulatory bodies can all refer concerns to the GDC. The GDC may also act on information from coroners, public inquiries, or its own monitoring of registrants.
Does a GDC investigation automatically affect my registration?
No. An investigation alone does not affect your registration. You can continue to practise during a GDC investigation unless the GDC applies to an Interim Orders Committee for an interim suspension or conditions on your registration.
What is the most important thing a dentist can do during a GDC investigation?
Contact your dental defence organisation immediately — DDU, Dental Protection, or MDDUS — before responding to the GDC. Begin building a remediation portfolio as early as possible, including relevant CPD, supervision, and a maintained reflective log. Early remediation carries significantly more weight with panels than evidence assembled shortly before a hearing.
Does the GDC regulate dental nurses and hygienists as well as dentists?
Yes. The GDC regulates all registered dental professionals in the UK — dentists, dental nurses, dental hygienists, dental therapists, dental technicians, clinical dental technicians, and orthodontic therapists. All are subject to the same fitness to practise process and the GDC's Standards for the Dental Team applies to all registrants.
Can I appeal a GDC Fitness to Practise Committee decision?
Yes. You can appeal a GDC decision to the High Court (England and Wales) or Court of Session (Scotland). The GDC also has a right of appeal. Strict time limits apply and specialist legal representation is required. Seek advice from your defence organisation immediately if you are considering an appeal.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional regulatory advice. If you are facing GDC fitness to practise proceedings, seek independent legal advice and contact your dental defence organisation without delay.