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A continued switch in balance towards prevention rather than cure is at the heart of a three-year plan published by the General Dental Council (GDC). The GDC Costed Corporate Plan 2023-25 sets out four strategic aims to support those working in dentistry jobs: Ensuring that dental professionals are well-trained, and deliver care to high standards, supported by a regulatory approach which enables prevention of harm, as well as lifelong learning. Creating an environment where concerns about dental professionals are addressed effectively and proportionately to protect the public and support professional learning. Using the organisation’s insight to highlight risks to patient safety and wellbeing, and encouraging the right parts of the dental sector to respond. Improving efficiency and effectiveness of dental professional regulation, as well as ensuring it adapts to the changing external environment. Key challengesIn moving the balance of its efforts towards preventative care, the GDC faces a number of challenges, including delays and uncertainty over plans to reform the health professional regulators and changes to registration procedures following Brexit, not to mention the current cost of living crisis and economic pressures, which are impacting patient choice, dental businesses, individual dental professionals and the GDC. The GDC aims to continue to press for legislative reform, but is aware that this is by no means a certainty and is unlikely to resolve all existing issues. Therefore, it’s committed to continuing to drive improvements within current constraints, while supporting and empowering dental professionals to deliver safe and effective dental care to high standards of professionalism. Ambitious work programmeThe GDC is planning 57 projects which support its four strategic aims for 2023-25. Of these, 32 are ‘flow through’ projects that started in previous years and 20 are new initiatives that will launch in 2023. Planned projects include: developing and implementing revised Standards for Education for those planning careers in dentistry, redesign of the GDC’s Fitness to Practice key performance indicators (KPIs), improvements in digital communications, making UK registration paperless. What is the GDC’s role?The GDC is the UK-wide statutory regulator tasked with protecting the public and ensuring that they have confidence in the services provided by dental professionals. The GDC regulates over 115,000 people who are employed in jobs in dentistry, including clinical dental technicians, dental hygienists, dental nurses, dental technicians, dental therapists and orthodontic therapists. The GDC works closely with practising dental professionals across many areas of its work to ensure key decisions are taken with the benefit of professional experience and expertise. This includes consulting on educational provision for those planning to work in dentistry and having panels of dental professionals to help ensure that overseas applicants for UK registration have the relevant knowledge and skills to practice effectively and safely.
The ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans are famous for having teeth extracted and wearing dentures. But did you know that Neanderthals may also have attempted a form of dentistry 130,000 years ago? The general consensus of opinion used to be that the history of dentistry went back no further than a couple of thousand years or so. But that was before researchers at the University of Kansas found what could be evidence of basic dental techniques being used around 128 millennia earlier. Using advanced technology to analyse Neanderthal teeth found over a century ago in Croatia, the scientists found that the premolar and M3 molar were pushed out of their normal positions. They also found six toothpick grooves among those two teeth and the two molars behind them. "The scratches indicate this individual was pushing something into his or her mouth to get at that twisted premolar," said David Frayer, the University’s Emeritus Professor of Anthropology. “As a package, this fits together as a dental problem that the Neanderthal was having and was trying to presumably treat itself, with the toothpick grooves, the breaks and also with the scratches on the premolar.” Previous research had already identified toothpick grooves going back almost two million years, so these new findings have contributed to a growing body of evidence that dentistry was invented much earlier in human history than previously thought. A perennial problemThe misery of toothache is something we share with our ancestors. Of course, it’s the sugary drinks and processed foods we now consume that are mainly responsible for widespread tooth decay in modern times. However, although they weren’t in the habit of bingeing on Coke and chocolate bars, ancient societies had much coarser diets, which resulted in much greater wear and tear on their teeth. Ancient Greek scholars Hippocrates and Aristotle wrote about dentistry. Various preparations for the treatment of toothache, tooth infections and loose teeth have been found in ancient Egyptian papyri. And the Romans used rudimentary dentures made from ivory, bone or boxwood. However, it was their predecessors in Northern Italy, the Etruscans, who came closest to acquiring the skills of modern-day dental technicians by expertly crafting bridges out of ox bone and wire. Crazy remediesThere have been some eccentric solutions to the problem of toothache. The Ancient Egyptians believed that wearing an amulet could relieve the pain, while the Roman writer Pliny suggested that a frog in the moonlight had the power to cure the problem. You only had to ask. For many centuries it was believed that cavities were caused by burrowing tooth worms. An ancient Babylonian cuneiform tablet entitled ‘The Legend of the Worm’ recounts how a supernatural worm drinks the blood and eats the roots of the teeth, causing cavities and periodontitis. The idea of tooth worms persisted until it was debunked in the first authoritative scientific description of dentistry, ‘The Surgeon Dentist’ by Pierre Fauchard, published in 1728. If you’re actively looking for a new dentistry job or you want to test the career waters, find out how we can help.
As you know, learning and development is at the heart of the dental profession.
It is an important part of your GDC registration and plays a significant role in improving patient care. Continuing professional development (CPD) allows us to meet and maintain high professional standards.
Stay up-to-date
CPD is a great way to ensure you provide effective treatments based on the latest research. Techniques and materials are constantly evolving. This is particularly true in fields like restorative and cosmetic dentistry.
The General Dental Council recommends the following topics to refresh your knowledge:
Medical emergencies
Disinfection and decontamination
Radiography and radiation protection
Develop a patient-centred approach
Dental CPD can help you develop a patient-centred approach to care.
We've all had nervous patients. It's important to approach them with empathy and understanding. By understanding their unique needs and preferences, you can tailor their treatment plans. This can help them to feel comfortable and involved in the decision-making.
"CPD makes a contribution to supporting registrants to maintain our standards and patient protection." - General Dental Council
Meet the Enhanced CPD scheme requirements
In the UK, dental professionals need to complete a certain number of CPD hours to be able to practice.
This enables you to provide safe and effective treatments while meeting GDC Standards. The 'Standards for the Dental Team' consist of the following nine principles:
Put patients' interests first
Communicate effectively with patients
Obtain valid consent
Maintain and protect patients' information
Have a clear and effective complaints procedure
Work with colleagues in a way that is in patients' best interests
Maintain, develop and work within your professional knowledge and skills
Raise concerns if patients are at risk
Make sure your personal behaviour maintains patients' confidence in you and the profession
Achieve development outcomes
The next step is embedding these principles into your work.
To help you do this, the GDC have outlined four development outcomes. You need to link each of your dental CPD activities to at least one of the following:
1. Communicate clearly with patients, the dental team, and others across dentistry. This includes:
When obtaining consent
Dealing with complaints
Raising concerns if patients are at risk.
2. Manage yourself and others in the dental team. This could include:
Providing constructive leadership where appropriate
Effectively collaborating with others
3. Keep your knowledge and skills up to date.
4. Maintain behaviours and attitudes. This is to ensure patient confidence in the profession and put their interests first.
Gain insight into your whole practice
Dental CPD encourages reflection on your experiences to support your learning and development.
This professional commitment helps to drive an open and honest culture across healthcare. By reflecting as a group, you can:
Develop ideas and bring about positive change in practice
Improve services and patient care
Show how you listen and act upon patient feedback and complaints
Assure patients that the dental team is continuously learning.
Think of your CPD as an investment
The importance of professional development is forever increasing.
Investing in dental CPD benefits patients, your professional development, and career advancement.
Regardless of your specialism, CPD involves maintaining, enhancing and extending your knowledge. It may include:
keeping up-to-date with developments in dentistry
broadening your knowledge into other related areas
improving clinical and communication skills
strengthening existing skills and developing new ones
applying your skills and knowledge in new ways
By regularly focusing on areas of growth, you can take action to improve. This can boost your confidence, strengthen your professional credibility, and improve your quality of care.
If you’re looking for a role that ticks all the boxes, browse our current dentistry vacancies. For any specific queries, please get in touch.
You may be surprised to know that the General Dental Council (GDC) is almost 50 years old. Since 1956, the GDC has operated as the registered professional body for dental professionals in the UK. As such, its role is to make sure that members meet the education, training, conduct and performance standards to safely practise dentistry.
Registration
If you want to practise dentistry in the UK, you must be registered with the General Dental Council. This includes dentists, dental hygienists, dental therapists, orthodontic therapists, clinical dental technicians, and dental nurses. Thankfully, the GDC has made the registration process fairly easy to understand. Essentially, you’ll be expected to meet a set of requirements relevant to your role. This will include checking that you are who you say you are, that you have the appropriate qualifications, your criminal records have been checked, and that your registration fee has been paid.
Once registered, and to make sure that you’re continually fit to practise, you’ll be expected to maintain your registration be completing continuing professional development (CPD) activities.
Focus on Standards: The 9 Principles
As dentistry recruitment specialists, we understand how important it is to provide a high standard of patient care.
To help make this possible, the GDC sets standards of conduct, performance, and ethics for dental professionals. These are known as “The 9 Principles”.
Complaints and Disciplinary Action
It's important to have a safe space where you and your patients can voice any concerns. Fortunately, this is rare. But in the event that a complaint is made about a dental professional, the GDC can work to resolve this.
Education and Training
Education and training standards for dental professionals in the UK are set by the GDC. These cover qualifications and training as well as the quality of training providers themselves.
As we know, Continued Professional Development is important in all healthcare roles. To keep up to date with the latest developments, the General Dental Council has a system to help. Activities include going to courses and conferences, reading, and reflecting on your practice.
To recap...
The General Dental Council plays an important role in keeping patients safe. By setting standards for education, conduct, and performance, they make sure that patients continue to receive the best possible care.
Find out more about our support for dentistry professionals, or browse the latest dentistry roles.
Breaking Down the GDC Principles: What They Mean and Why They Matter
As dentistry recruitment specialists, we know that providing the best possible patient care is top priority. When you’re busy, it’s easy to forget to take time to reflect on your practice. We’ve made this process easier by outlining the General Dental Council’s 9 principles (as part of the Standards for the Dental Team).As you know, these encourage all dental professionals to ensure high standards of patient care. Let's take a closer look at each of them and why they’re so important for your dental practice. 1. Put patients' interests firstPrinciple One looks at the importance of putting patients at the centre of your dental care. Of course, your goal is to provide respectful and transparent treatment. And as dental professionals, this means respecting your patients’ choices, as well as their culture and values so that you can provide honest and personalised care. You're encouraged to consider all aspects of their health and wellbeing. This might include: Maintaining a clean and safe environment. Accommodations for disabilities. Taking a preventative approach to treatment. Putting patients' needs before any financial gain or business needs. 2. Communicate effectively with patientsWe know how nervous patients can be. Surveys reveal that up to 53% of the UK population are scared of visiting their dentist.Good communication can help to put your patients at ease. Keep in mind that they may have particular communication needs or preferences. You can build trust to make sure they feel comfortable and confident in their dental care. 3. Obtain valid consentFor Principle Three, you can put your good communication into play. It’s not easy making a decision about your health. Transparency about the risks, benefits, and costs can help your patients to make informed decisions. They need to give their consent voluntarily, and they can withdraw at any time. 4. Maintain and protect patients' confidentiality.Principle Four looks at the confidentiality and accuracy of patient records. As a dental professional, patients place their trust in you. They expect you to only share their details with those who need to know. Plus, you should only use them for their given purpose unless under exceptional circumstances. Patients should also be able to access their dental records at any time by law. According to the General Dental Council, you should keep patient information stored securely at all times, whether these records are on paper or electronically. 5. Have a clear and effective complaints procedure.In the unlikely event of a complaint, patients expect to be listened to and dealt with promptly. The GDC requires you to have an effective procedure to follow at all times. This means your response should be prompt and constructive. In doing so, you inspire patients' confidence and trust in their care, making them feel heard and respected. It also proves your commitment to providing high-quality care. 6. Work with colleagues in a way that is in patients' best interests.We know you and your team want to provide the best possible care for patients. The sixth point of the GDC principles looks at collaboration and teamwork. This principle reminds you to delegate and refer where appropriate, and only accept referrals or delegate when trained and competent. If your role requires it, you can show your effective leadership and management skills through clear communication with your team. This helps to keep patients informed about each professional's role in their care. 7. Maintain, develop and work within your professional knowledge and skills. To help you be the best dental professional you can be, make sure you take time to keep your knowledge up to date. You can do this by: Staying abreast of the latest developments in dental technology Attending regular training and development programs Following the Enhanced CPD scheme requirements However, it's important to recognise your limitations. Although you may be developing your skills, you should only work within your capabilities. For example: Only carry out treatments that you are qualified to perform. Recognise when to refer patients to specialists or other healthcare professionals where necessary. 8. Raise concerns if patients are at risk.Of course, if you're ever worried that a patient is at risk of harm, you'll want to do what you can to help them. One of the best ways you can help to protect your patient is by reaching out to colleagues. You should also report the matter to the appropriate authorities - for example, if you have any concerns about vulnerable patients. In the unlikely event that a colleague or environment puts patients at risk, you must take action. We're all working together towards a common goal, so it's important to encourage a culture where staff can raise concerns in a safe space. 9. Make sure your personal behaviour maintains patients' confidence in you and the dental professionLast but not least - we all know the importance of personal and professional conduct. Our behaviour can have a huge impact on patient trust and confidence. Being mindful of our actions both in and out of work can help to put their minds at ease. This promotes their trust in you and the dental profession as a whole to provide quality care and act ethically and responsibly. And there you have it! We hope you’ve found this a useful reference point to reflect on the 9 GDC Principles. By keeping them in mind, you can provide the best possible care for your patients. Find out more about how we can support your dentistry career, or browse our latest vacancies.
Every year, the FDI World Dental Federation hosts World Oral Health Day to bring together dental professionals, patients, and health organisations to share their knowledge. As dental professionals, you understand the importance of looking after your teeth from a young age and how it can improve wellbeing. In doing so, we can enable people to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. This year's theme is "Be Proud of Your Mouth". We thought we'd look at how you can use this to give patients the tools and understanding to take care of their teeth. What is the FDI World Dental Federation?The FDI World Dental Federation represents over a million dentists worldwide. Founded in 1900, it is the oldest and largest dental organisation in the world. As the primary representative body, it: develops health policies and CPD programmes advocates for dentistry on a global scale helps member associations promote oral health. Why do we need World Oral Health Day?As dentists, we all know how important looking after your teeth is for health and wellbeing. Tooth decay is the most common health condition in the world, but it is preventable. Oral Health Day is a chance to engage with patients, schools, and communities to encourage good oral health and preventative care. You can also share ideas, showcase new developments, and advocate for policies prioritising oral health (such as adding dental health to the school curriculum). Talking with sensitivityMost oral health conditions are preventable and can be treated in their early stages. However, it can be a sensitive topic, and it's important to approach these conversations with empathy and understanding. Here are some tips for talking about oral health: Use inclusive language. To help the patient feel comfortable, try to use language that is inclusive. Recognise that genetics, access to healthcare, and socioeconomic status can influence oral hygiene. Focus on building healthy habits. Talk about things your patient can do themselves to help their oral health. Small lifestyle changes could include regular brushing, a healthy diet, and regular check-ups. Be an active listener. We all like to feel heard. You can put them at ease by listening to any worries or questions they may have and responding with empathy. Some people may have had bad dental care experiences and need extra support. Be respectful. It goes without saying, but always respect their privacy and personal boundaries. It can be easy to make assumptions, but there are often other factors that can influence a person's dental health or lifestyle choices. Provide resources. As dentists, we have the ability to help our patients help themselves. There are plenty of resources you can offer on accessing dental care or tips for good oral hygiene. We’ve included a few of our favourites below! Useful resources Public Health England: health matters child dental health - preventing tooth decay in children under 5. Children’s Oral Health: healthcare e-learning - aimed at parents, early years healthcare workers, teachers, nurses, GPs and the public. Downloadable ‘Be Proud of Your Mouth’ fact sheets: What is a good oral hygiene routine?Look after your oral health for your happiness and wellbeing How can the dentist help?Remember, we can make conversations about oral health a positive experience. By working together to play our part, we can help to create healthy smiles for everyone. Find out how we can help you advance your dentistry career.
