GDC begins sweeping review of standards guidance

The General Dental Council (GDC) has commenced a comprehensive review of its standards guidance in order to bring the document up to date with modern industry conditions.

Over the course of the next year, the dental industry regulator will be consulting with professionals, patients and stakeholders to determine what should be included in the new standards publication.

It represents a major overhaul of its existing standards guidance, which has been in place for five years and is no longer considered to be reflective of the altered regulatory landscape.

In addition, a separate review of the GDC's scope of practice document will be conducted, in order to offer clearer advice on the skills and responsibilities expected from dental practitioners.

David Smith, chair of the GDC's standards committee, said: "This is a significant piece of work for the GDC and one that we anticipate will have a positive impact on dental professionals and therefore on patients."

This comes after the organisation completed a consultation on its review of ethical advertising standards last month.