GDC seeks opinions on plans to reform fitness to practise? processes

The General Dental Council (GDC) has launched a consultation to inform its approach to reforming its fitness to practise process.

Launched at the start of the month, the consultation process will run until March 14th and will give industry professionals and stakeholders an opportunity to provide feedback on the regulator's plans.

By introducing case examiners, the GDC is hoping that complaints will be dealt with more quickly and efficiently, thereby improving safety standards for patients and ensuring a less stressful experience for dental professionals.

It will also help to reduce the number of cases heard by GDC's practice committees, which should lead to estimated savings of 1.8 million pounds per year. 

The legislation has been debated and approved by both UK Houses of Parliament and in the Scottish Parliament. It will come into force on April 13th, with case examiners to start making decisions in late summer 2016.

Jonathan Green, director of fitness to practise at the GDC, said: "The consultation is a further step to modernise the way we run our fitness to practise caseload."