BDA welcomes forthcoming GDC accountability hearing

The British Dental Association (BDA) has applauded the government's decision to subject the General Dental Council (GDC) to a formal accountability hearing next month.

To take place on March 3rd, the Health Select Committee will be scrutinising the GDC's recent conduct and decision-making processes after the BDA wrote to health ministers to request the inquiry.

The GDC has come under considerable criticism from the BDA and the profession as a whole due to the substantial annual retention fee it implemented last year, following a consultation process that was later deemed to be unlawful by the High Court.

Additionally, the regulator has been accused of inefficiency and wastefulness, leading to delays in the assessment of fitness to practise cases of up to 18 months.

Prior to this, the GDC had avoided a formal hearing, despite being repeatedly taken to task by the Professional Standards Authority for various failings.

Mick Armstrong, chair of the BDA's principal executive committee, said: "Westminster is waking up to the fact that Britain's most expensive healthcare regulator is also the least efficient, most troubled and enjoys little confidence among the profession."