GDC: Dental patients must know their rights

Posted by Yvonne Wallace

The General Dental Council (GDC) has stated it wants dental patients to be more aware of their rights and has launched a new fact sheet in order to improve understanding.

Chief executive of the GDC Evlynne Gilvarry stated the body is working hard to increase the current, substantial protections for patients, noting it is doing this “by seeking  powers to require proof of insurance or indemnity as a condition of being registered to practise as a dentist or dental care professional”.

She explained the GDC is expecting to have these powers in around a year’s time, while noting that every time the GDC investigates a complaint about a dentist, it has to be able to carry out checks that they have adequate and appropriate indemnity or insurance in place.

Ms Gilvarry stated this is the case regardless of what the complaint is about.

The GDC represents all dentists, dental nurses, dental technicians, clinical dental technicians, dental hygienists, dental therapists and orthodontic therapists working in the UK.