FGDP(UK) raises concerns about GDC processes

The Faculty of General Dental Practice UK has raised concerns about the recent conduct and operating practices at the General Dental Council (GDC).

Acknowledging the growing alarm in the sector arising from the recent surge in the number of fitness to practise cases at the GDC, the organisation has described the regulator's assessment process as "overloaded and unsatisfactory".

Specifically, it voiced worries about the way dental care standards are being interpreted within the context of the GDC's fitness to practise process, and that this may be leading to inappropriate and unfair assessment of registrants' competencies.

It has also called into question the effectiveness of its governance processes, particularly the botched consultation that shaped its decision to increase its annual retention fee, which led to a judicial review initiated by the British Dental Association (BDA).

The organisation commented: "The FGDP(UK) believes it is essential that the GDC, like all regulators, is transparent, proportionate and fair in its dealings with the profession."

These echo many of the criticisms levelled at the GDC by the BDA in recent months, with the latter describing the former as no longer being fit for purpose.