GDC publishes updated decision-making guidance for practice committees

The General Dental Council (GDC) has published updated decision-making guidance for its practice committees, marking a significant step in its ongoing programme to improve fitness to practise processes and increase transparency across regulation.

The revised guidance, together with an updated conditions bank, will come into effect on 6 January 2026. It forms part of the GDC’s wider strategy for trusted and effective regulation, with a particular focus on reducing the fear and stress that regulatory processes can create for dental professionals.

Stronger focus on misconduct and discrimination

The guidance places greater emphasis on the seriousness of sexual misconduct and discrimination cases, making clear that misconduct involving members of the dental team is treated with the same gravity as cases involving patients.

Independent panellists on practice committees—including the Professional Conduct Committee, Professional Performance Committee and Health Committee—use the guidance to decide whether a dental professional’s fitness to practise is currently impaired. While primarily aimed at panellists, the guidance is also highly relevant for registrants and their representatives attending hearings.

Supporting fairness and wellbeing

Tom Whiting, Chief Executive and Registrar at the GDC, said:

“We know that fitness to practise investigations can take too long and feel overly complex, often leading to a fear of the process and of the GDC. As a result, it can negatively impact the mental health and wellbeing of those involved.
By supporting consistent, transparent and proportionate decision-making through this updated guidance, we aim to reduce some of the negative impacts of fitness to practise investigations.”

The guidance follows a 12-week public consultation, which received broadly positive feedback. Respondents welcomed the improved structure, clearer language, and more detailed advice on key issues.

Among the changes:

• Impairment sections have been strengthened, particularly around public interest findings.
• Conflict-of-interest guidance now distinguishes between bias and conflicts.
• New sections address discrimination, harassment, special measures for vulnerable witnesses, and reasonable adjustments for registrants and witnesses.
• The guidance now follows the chronological stages of a hearing, making it easier to navigate and more inclusive, with plain language used wherever possible.

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