The General Dental Council – updated guidance and conditions bank now in effect

As of 6^th January 2026, the General Dental Council’s (‘GDC’s) updated guidance and conditions bank is now in effect.

Following a 12-week public consultation, the updated guidance includes a clearer structure, following the stages of a hearing chronologically, making each stage easier to understand. Clearer, more accessible language is used to explain how Committees make decisions. Whilst the guidance is primarily designed for committee panellists (Conduct, Performance and Health Committees), the guidance is also relevant to registrants, and their representatives in preparation for their fitness to practise hearings.

There is a greater emphasis on serious misconduct, and the guidance makes it explicit that sexual misconduct involving members of the dental team are considered as serious as those involving patients. Clarification has been provided on impairment and public interest, and the guidance on conflict of interest addresses the issue of bias, helping Committee members to manage potential conflicts ethically. Measures for supporting participants in hearings, and reasonable adjustments are set out.

The updated guidance is part of the GDC’s wider programme of improvements to fitness to practise including a streamlined approach for single patient clinical concerns, improving support for registrants, informants and witnesses, and delivering specialist mental health training for staff to help them identify participants in distress.

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 updated guidance can be accessed here: GDC publishes updated decision-making guidance for practice committees

For more information, please contact Rachael McAdorey or another member of the Healthcare team.

*This information is for guidance purposes only and does not constitute, nor should be regarded as, a substitute for taking legal advice that is tailored to your circumstances.