Specialist GDC defence for dentists and dental care professionals.
What we do at the GDC
What we do at the GDC
- Responding to GDC investigation letters and requests for information
- Case examiner representations
- Interim Orders Committee (IOC) hearings
- Fitness-to-practise hearings before GDC practice committees
- Sanctions hearings and review hearings
- Restoration applications
- Appeals to the High Court
We represent dentists, dental nurses, dental hygienists, dental therapists, clinical dental technicians, dental technicians, and orthodontic therapists at every stage of GDC fitness-to-practise proceedings.
The GDC fitness-to-practise process: stage by stage
Stage 1: Triage and initial assessment
When the GDC receives a concern, it decides whether it meets the threshold for a formal investigation. Many concerns are closed at this stage. If you receive a triage letter from the GDC about an allegation, contact us before responding.
Stage 2: Investigation
If a concern proceeds, the GDC appoints an investigating officer who gathers evidence from both sides. You will be invited to respond to the allegations. In dental cases, the evidence often includes clinical records, radiographs, expert dental opinion, and patient evidence. We advise on what information to provide, assist in gathering supporting evidence, and draft your response to the investigation.
Stage 3: Case examiner decision
After the investigation, a case examiner reviews the evidence and decides whether there is a realistic prospect of the allegations being found proved at a fitness-to-practise hearing. Case examiners can close the case, issue a warning, agree undertakings, or refer to a practice committee for a hearing. We make detailed representations to case examiners and challenge referral decisions where appropriate.
Stage 4: Interim Orders Committee
The GDC can apply for an interim order — conditions or suspension of registration — before any final hearing, if it considers there is a risk to patients or to public confidence. An interim suspension order means you cannot practise as a registered dental professional in the UK while the investigation continues. These hearings can be called at short notice and require prompt specialist preparation.
Stage 5: Fitness-to-practise hearing
GDC fitness-to-practise hearings are conducted before a practice committee. Witnesses give evidence, both parties make submissions, and the committee makes findings of fact. If impairment is found, it then determines the appropriate sanction. Dental cases frequently involve complex clinical expert evidence and require careful preparation.
Why GDC cases are different
Sanctions the GDC can impose
If a GDC practice committee finds that a dental professional’s fitness to practise is impaired, it may impose one of the following sanctions:
- Reprimand — the least serious formal outcome; a formal rebuke recorded on your registration
- Conditions — restrictions on how you practise, for a period to be reviewed
- Suspension — removal from the GDC register for up to 12 months at a time, subject to review
- Erasure — permanent removal from the GDC register
Erasure means you can no longer practise as a registered dental professional in the UK. Under the current rules, you may apply for restoration after five years. Restoration is not automatic and requires a separate application and hearing before a GDC practice committee.
The importance of early specialist advice
Dental cases frequently involve clinical expert evidence. The GDC instructs its own dental experts, and expert evidence can be determinative at a hearing. We advise on identifying and instructing experts, challenge the GDC’s expert evidence where appropriate, and present your clinical defence in its strongest form.
The earlier you instruct a specialist solicitor, the more options you have. Dentists who respond to GDC investigation letters without advice sometimes make admissions or provide information that makes a later defence harder to run. If you have received any correspondence from the GDC, contact us for a free one-hour consultation.
Common questions about GDC investigations
What triggers a GDC fitness-to-practise investigation?
GDC investigations are triggered by complaints from patients, relatives, employers, colleagues, or members of the public. The GDC also investigates referrals from NHS bodies and other regulatory bodies, and can act on information about criminal convictions or cautions. Common concerns include alleged clinical errors or sub-standard treatment, patient care failures, alleged dishonesty, health concerns, and conduct outside of practice. Dental professionals are also required to self-report criminal convictions and cautions to the GDC.
Can the GDC suspend me before a hearing?
Yes. The GDC can apply to its Interim Orders Committee for an interim suspension order or interim conditions of practice order before any final hearing, if it considers there is a risk to patients or to public confidence in the profession. An interim suspension means you cannot practise as a registered dental professional in the UK while the investigation continues. These hearings can be called at short notice. We prepare detailed representations and attend to advocate on your behalf.
How long does a GDC investigation take?
GDC investigations vary in length. Cases that close at the case examiner stage can resolve within six to twelve months. Cases that proceed to a full fitness-to-practise hearing can take one to three years from referral. Delays in obtaining clinical expert evidence are a common cause of delay. We manage your expectations from the outset and keep you updated throughout.
What is the role of clinical expert evidence in GDC cases?
Clinical expert evidence is central to most GDC fitness-to-practise cases involving clinical allegations. The GDC typically instructs a dental expert to review the clinical records and comment on whether the treatment provided fell below the standard of a reasonably competent dental professional. We advise on obtaining your own expert evidence to counter the GDC’s case, and where the experts disagree, the committee must determine which it prefers. Choosing the right expert and instructing them effectively can be determinative.
What is the difference between a reprimand and erasure?
A reprimand is the least serious formal outcome a GDC practice committee can impose. It is a formal rebuke that is recorded on your GDC registration and visible to employers who check the register. It does not restrict your ability to practise.
Erasure is the most serious sanction. It means you are permanently removed from the GDC register and can no longer work as a registered dental professional in the UK. You may apply for restoration after five years, but restoration is not automatic and requires a formal hearing before a practice committee.
Do I need a solicitor for GDC proceedings?
You are entitled to be represented at all stages of GDC proceedings. Representation is not mandatory, but we strongly recommend instructing a specialist solicitor as early as possible — ideally before responding to the initial investigation letter. GDC fitness-to-practise hearings are adversarial proceedings. The GDC has experienced presenting officers and may have dental expert evidence on its side. Being unrepresented significantly reduces your chances of a good outcome.