What Are GDC Conditions of Practice?
GDC conditions of practice are restrictions imposed by a GDC practice committee — most commonly the Professional Conduct Committee — following a GDC fitness to practise hearing at which impairment has been found. Unlike GDC suspension, conditions of practice allow the dentist to continue practising. The conditions tailor the restrictions to the specific concerns identified, allowing the committee to address the risk without removing the dentist from practice entirely.
Conditions of practice are imposed where the practice committee concludes that the risk posed by the dentist can be adequately managed through targeted restrictions rather than complete removal from practice. They reflect the committee's view that the dentist is capable of practising safely within defined limits and that there is a realistic prospect of remediation.
GDC conditions of practice are governed by section 27B of the Dentists Act 1984 and are recorded on the public dental register throughout their duration. They are subject to review hearings at which the committee assesses compliance and decides whether to vary, continue, or lift the order.
Types of GDC Conditions of Practice
The specific conditions imposed depend on the nature of the concerns found at the fitness to practise hearing. Common types of GDC conditions of practice include:
- Supervised practice — working under a named clinical supervisor who monitors practice and submits regular reports to the GDC. The supervisor must be a registered dental professional with no regulatory concerns and must be approved by the GDC
- Designated CPD requirements — completion of specific CPD courses addressing the areas of concern within a defined timeframe. Often the single most important condition to fulfil early and document clearly
- Treatment restrictions — prohibition on carrying out certain clinical procedures where the committee has identified specific clinical concerns, for example restrictions on prescribing certain medications or on carrying out complex restorative work unsupervised
- Employer notification — mandatory disclosure of the conditions order to current and future employers and NHS commissioners, and a requirement to provide the GDC with the employer's contact details
- Health-related conditions — attendance at a named health professional, compliance with a treatment plan, chemical testing where substance misuse is a concern, or regular health assessments
- Compliance reporting — regular written reports submitted to the GDC's case review team confirming compliance with all conditions
- Mentoring or retraining — attendance at a designated mentoring programme or retraining course to address identified competence concerns
GDC conditions of practice imposed by a practice committee following a hearing are distinct from undertakings agreed with case examiners before a hearing. Undertakings are voluntary agreements at the case examiner stage — a way of resolving concerns without a full fitness to practise hearing. Both conditions and undertakings are recorded on the public register, but only conditions follow from a finding of impairment by a practice committee.
How Long Do GDC Conditions of Practice Last?
GDC conditions of practice can be imposed for any period the practice committee considers appropriate, up to a maximum of 36 months. The conditions are subject to review hearings during this period. At each review the committee can vary the conditions, revoke them where the dentist has demonstrated sufficient remediation, or extend them within the 36-month cap where further time is needed.
Where the committee at a review hearing is not satisfied with compliance or remediation, it can replace conditions with a period of GDC suspension or, in the most serious cases, refer the matter for a fresh hearing at which erasure may be considered. This underlines the importance of treating every condition as non-negotiable from the first day of the order.
How to Comply with GDC Conditions of Practice
Compliance with GDC conditions of practice must be strict, documented, and continuous from the first day the order takes effect. The 28-day appeal period after the hearing means the substantive conditions do not take effect until either the appeal window closes or any appeal is concluded. Dentists should use this window to begin organising compliance, not to delay engagement.
- Read every condition carefully — understand precisely what each condition requires. If any condition is unclear or appears unworkable in your practice setting, raise this immediately with your legal representative rather than attempting to interpret it yourself
- Notify your employer immediately — where a condition requires employer notification, do so promptly and in writing. Keep a copy
- Appoint your supervisor — if supervision is required, the supervisor must be identified and approved by the GDC before you begin practising. Do not practise unsupervised where supervision is required
- Complete designated CPD immediately — do not leave CPD conditions until near the review date. Complete them early, keep certificates, and send evidence to the GDC's case review team as directed
- Submit compliance reports on time — missing or late compliance reports are treated as a failure to engage and will be raised at the review hearing
- Keep your own compliance log — a chronological record of every step taken to comply with conditions, with dates and supporting documents, forms the foundation of your review hearing evidence bundle
Dentists who treat GDC conditions of practice as an administrative burden rather than a structured opportunity to rebuild trust consistently struggle at review hearings. Those who engage proactively, document everything, and arrive with a strong compliance file consistently achieve better outcomes.
What Happens at a GDC Conditions of Practice Review Hearing?
At the review hearing, the practice committee considers all evidence submitted by the GDC and the dentist. The committee reviews compliance with every condition, any additional remediation undertaken, supervisor reports, and any new concerns that have arisen during the period of conditions.
The possible outcomes at a GDC conditions of practice review hearing are:
- Revocation of conditions — where the committee is satisfied that fitness to practise is no longer impaired. The dentist returns to unrestricted practice
- Variation of conditions — for example, relaxing supervision requirements as confidence in the dentist's practice builds, or adding new conditions where new concerns have emerged
- Continuation of conditions — the committee is not yet satisfied with the level of remediation and continues the order for a further period within the 36-month maximum
- Replacement with suspension — where compliance has been inadequate or the risk has not been addressed
- Referral for a fresh hearing — in the most serious cases, where escalation to erasure may be considered
Breaching GDC Conditions of Practice
Any breach of GDC conditions of practice must be disclosed to the GDC promptly. Where a breach is minor and the dentist self-discloses with an explanation, the committee can take a proportionate approach. Where a breach is serious, persistent, or concealed, the GDC can apply to the Interim Orders Committee for an urgent interim suspension and the matter will be treated as a significant aggravating factor at the review hearing.
Where a condition becomes unworkable — for example, if a named supervisor leaves the practice — the dentist must contact the GDC immediately and not continue practising in a way that breaches the condition. Attempting to work around a condition without notifying the GDC is treated as deliberate non-compliance.
International Dentists and Cross-Border Conditions of Practice
GDC conditions of practice are recorded on the public register and can be shared with overseas regulators. For UK-registered dentists, professional ethics training aligned with GDC standards is available through Healthcare Ethics Courses. Dentists with connections to Canada will find similar ethics training for Canadian dentists a useful resource for understanding professional standards across jurisdictions. Those practising across Ireland and the UK can consult equivalent professional development for dentists in Ireland to understand how regulatory conditions compare internationally.
CPD Courses for Dentists Subject to GDC Conditions of Practice
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Bulk Buy 10 Courses →Frequently Asked Questions
What are GDC conditions of practice?
Restrictions imposed on a dentist's registration by a GDC practice committee following a finding that fitness to practise is impaired. They allow continued practice subject to specific requirements such as supervision, designated CPD, or treatment restrictions. They last up to 36 months and are recorded on the public dental register.
What types of conditions can the GDC impose?
Supervised practice, designated CPD, treatment restrictions, employer notification, health assessments or treatment, compliance reporting to the GDC, and mentoring or retraining. Conditions are tailored to the specific concerns found at the fitness to practise hearing.
How long do GDC conditions of practice last?
Up to 36 months. Subject to review hearings during the period where the committee can vary, continue, or revoke the order. If fitness to practise is no longer impaired at a review, conditions can be lifted and the dentist returns to unrestricted practice.
What is the difference between conditions of practice and suspension?
Conditions allow continued practice subject to restrictions. Suspension prevents any practice. Conditions are less restrictive and are imposed where the committee considers the risk can be managed through targeted measures. Non-compliance with conditions can lead to replacement with suspension at a review hearing.
Does a GDC conditions of practice order appear on the public register?
Yes. Recorded on the public dental register and visible to employers, patients, NHS bodies, and commissioners. The entry confirms conditions are in place. Employers and NHS England can request further information, and the dentist may be required by the conditions to notify their employer directly.
What happens if I breach GDC conditions of practice?
A serious matter. The GDC can apply for an urgent interim suspension. At review, evidence of non-compliance is a significant aggravating factor. Persistent or serious breach can result in replacement with suspension or referral for a fresh hearing. Minor breaches should be self-disclosed promptly with an explanation.
Can I work for the NHS while subject to GDC conditions of practice?
Often yes, but it depends on the specific conditions and NHS England's response. Some conditions may affect the range of NHS treatments that can be provided. NHS England may take separate performers list action. Legal advice on both the GDC conditions and NHS implications is strongly recommended.
How do I comply with GDC conditions of practice?
Read every condition precisely. Notify your employer where required. Appoint your supervisor before practising. Complete CPD conditions immediately. Submit compliance reports on time. Keep your own compliance log with dates and supporting documents. Strict documented compliance is the foundation of a successful review hearing.
What happens at a GDC conditions of practice review hearing?
The committee reviews compliance with every condition plus additional remediation. Outcomes include revocation of conditions, variation, continuation, replacement with suspension, or referral for a fresh hearing. The committee is not bound by the original sanction and considers all current evidence.
Can GDC conditions of practice be converted to suspension?
Yes. At a review hearing, if the committee is not satisfied with compliance or remediation, or if new concerns have arisen, conditions can be replaced with suspension. This can also happen if the dentist has failed to engage meaningfully with supervision or CPD requirements.
Can I appeal GDC conditions of practice?
Yes, to the High Court within 28 days of notification. Appeals must be based on legal grounds — error of law, procedural unfairness, or conditions that are disproportionate or unworkable. The Professional Standards Authority can also refer GDC decisions upwards if it considers the sanction insufficient.
How do I get GDC conditions of practice lifted?
Full compliance with all conditions throughout the period, plus a strong reflective statement, CPD certificates, positive supervisor reports, character references, and a credible personal development plan for maintaining standards after the order is lifted. The committee must be satisfied fitness to practise is no longer impaired.
What CPD courses help dentists subject to GDC conditions of practice?
Our Ethics and Ethical Standards for Dentists course addresses GDC standards directly. Our Probity course covers honesty and integrity. Our How to Ensure a Mistake Will Not Be Repeated course demonstrates the reflective engagement review committees require. Our Bulk Buy of 10 courses for £500 builds a comprehensive remediation portfolio.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional regulatory advice. If you are subject to GDC conditions of practice, seek independent legal advice from a specialist regulatory solicitor and contact your defence organisation (such as Dental Protection, the BDA, or MDDUS) without delay.