GDC Standards for the Dental Team: What Each Standard Means in Practice

This is the foundational standard of the entire framework. It requires dental professionals to make the care and wellbeing of patients their primary concern in every clinical decision and professional interaction. Patient interests must take precedence over personal interests, commercial pressures, and the preferences of employers or colleagues.

• Always put patients' wellbeing above financial or commercial considerations
• Treat patients with dignity and respect at all times
• Do not discriminate against patients on any grounds
• Treat patients as partners in their care, not passive recipients

This standard requires dental professionals to communicate clearly and honestly with patients — before, during, and after treatment. It covers the obligation to explain treatment options, costs, risks, and benefits in a way patients can understand, and to listen to patients' concerns and respond to them.

• Give patients clear, accurate information about their treatment, options, and costs
• Listen actively and respond to patients' questions and concerns
• Keep clear and accurate records of all communications and decisions
• Be honest if things go wrong — the duty of candour

Valid consent is one of the most frequently litigated and complained-about areas in dental practice. This standard requires that consent is obtained before every examination and treatment — and that it is informed, voluntary, and given by a patient with capacity to consent.

• Explain all treatment options including the option of no treatment
• Discuss the material risks and benefits relevant to the specific patient
• Ensure the patient has had sufficient time to consider and ask questions
• Document the consent process in the clinical record
• Apply appropriate procedures for patients who lack capacity

This standard covers confidentiality and data protection obligations — the duty to handle patient information with care, to keep it secure, and to share it only where there is a lawful basis or overriding public interest justification. It also includes social media obligations.

• Keep patient information confidential and store it securely
• Share information only with explicit consent or lawful justification
• Never post patient information — including photographs — on social media without consent
• Follow UK GDPR and relevant data protection legislation

This standard requires dental professionals and practices to handle complaints professionally, promptly, and in a way that is genuinely aimed at resolving concerns rather than defending against them. How a complaint is handled — including whether the professional engaged openly and honestly — is itself assessed in GDC fitness to practise proceedings.

• Respond to complaints promptly and professionally
• Apologise where appropriate without admitting liability unnecessarily
• Use complaints as a learning opportunity to improve practice
• Never retaliate against patients who raise concerns

This standard governs professional relationships — delegation, supervision, referral, and the obligation to raise concerns about colleagues' conduct or competence when patient safety is at risk.

• Delegate tasks only to team members with the relevant skills and training
• Supervise appropriately and take responsibility for delegated tasks
• Refer patients to other professionals when their needs exceed your competence
• Raise concerns about colleagues' fitness to practise when patient safety requires it

This standard requires dental professionals to keep their knowledge and skills current through continuing professional development, to work within their competence at all times, and to seek help when they encounter situations outside their skills or experience.

• Complete the GDC's mandatory CPD requirements
• Only perform procedures you are competent to perform
• Keep up to date with developments relevant to your scope of practice
• Seek supervision or refer when a situation exceeds your competence

This standard imposes a positive duty to speak up when patient safety is at risk — whether the risk comes from your own practice, a colleague's conduct, or the environment in which you work. Failing to raise a legitimate patient safety concern is itself a breach of the Standards.

• Report concerns about patient safety through appropriate channels
• Do not allow commercial or personal pressures to prevent you raising concerns
• Document concerns raised and the response received
• Understand your organisation's whistleblowing and safeguarding policies

This standard extends professional obligations beyond the clinical environment — to social media, personal conduct, and behaviour outside work that could undermine public confidence in the dental profession. It also includes probity obligations: honesty in all professional dealings, including with the GDC itself.

• Behave honestly and with integrity at all times — in practice, in communications, and online
• Do not use your professional position for personal gain
• Be open and honest in all dealings with the GDC, employers, and patients
• Behave outside of work in a way that does not bring the profession into disrepute