GDC publishes “most detailed” fitness to practise report to date

The General Dental Council (GDC) has published what it describes as its most detailed fitness to practise (FtP) report to date, providing an expanded analysis of referrals, case progression, equality data and regulatory outcomes across the dental professions.

The report offers valuable insight for dentists and dental care professionals (DCPs), highlighting where concerns originate, which groups are more likely to be referred, and how cases progress through the regulatory process.

Fitness to practise concerns rise

According to the report, the GDC received 1,401 new fitness to practise concerns during the reporting period, representing an 8% increase compared with the previous year. However, the vast majority of concerns did not progress to a hearing, with 88% resolved at the assessment or case examiner stage and only 12% reaching a Practice Committee hearing.

The regulator completed 1,294 assessments during the year, while the number of initial Practice Committee hearings fell by 18%, from 91 in 2023 to 73 in 2024.

Public complaints remain the main source of referrals

Patients and members of the public continued to account for the majority of FtP concerns, generating 61% of referrals. The report also identified a continued rise in referrals from dental professionals, increasing from 6% in 2022 to 9% in 2024.

The findings reinforce the fact that most Fitness to Practise cases originate outside the GDC itself, with approximately 94% of concerns raised by external parties.

Demographic patterns highlighted

One of the report’s most significant features is its expanded equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) analysis.

The data shows that male dentists accounted for 65% of fitness to practise concerns despite representing 47% of the dentist register. Asian or Asian British dentists accounted for 34% of concerns while making up 30% of registrants. Dentists aged 51–60 were also proportionately more likely to be the subject of concerns than younger colleagues.

The GDC noted that although some groups are overrepresented at the referral stage, the proportion of cases progressing through the fitness to practise process remains broadly consistent across ethnic groups, which it says provides reassurance regarding decision-making once concerns enter the system.

Improvements in case handling

The report also points to improvements in operational performance. By the final quarter of the year, 76% of cases met assessment timeframe targets, reflecting efforts to reduce delays and improve case management efficiency. Additional resources introduced within the Case Examiners team are expected to help clear remaining backlogs.

Detailed timeframe analysis showed that 54% of investigation-stage cases were completed within six months, broadly in line with previous years.

What dentists should take from the findings

For practising dentists, the report provides a clearer picture of how concerns are raised and managed by the regulator. The findings underline that most cases are resolved before reaching a hearing and that patient complaints remain the primary driver of fitness to practise referrals. At the same time, the expanded demographic analysis is likely to fuel ongoing discussion around referral patterns, proportionality and fairness within the regulatory process.

Disclaimer: The accuracy and information of news stories published on this website is accurate on the date of publishing. We endeavour to update stories if information change. You can contact us with change and update requests. Where possible, we will link to sources. Content on this website is for guidance purposes only. We cannot accept any responsibility or liability whatsoever for any action taken, or not taken. You should seek the appropriate legal advice having regard to your own particular circumstances.