Record registrations and improved FtP processes, reports the GDC
Regulator also launched refreshed set of values, aspiring to be "respectful, transparent, inclusive and purposeful."
The General Dental Council (GDC) has published its Annual Report and Accounts for 2024 which, it says, shows a record registration performance and improvements to fitness to practise (FtP) processes.
The GDC processed a record 12,978 applications, up from 11,476 in 2023, resulting in 2,164 new dentists and 9,728 new dental care professionals joining the register. The regulator also launched a refreshed set of values, aspiring to be “respectful, transparent, inclusive and purposeful.”
The regulator said that key developments last year included:
- Enhanced workforce insights: More than 24,000 dentists (55%) and 44,000 DCPs (58%) provided working patterns data to inform the debate about the dental workforce.
- Improved access to the Overseas Registration Examination (ORE): Increased capacity of Part One examinations by 50%, and Part Two by 33%, compared with 2023. Other improvements included the development of a new policy that gives priority access to the ORE booking system for dental professionals with refugee status.
- FtP improvements: The GDC reduced casework queues and cleared the backlog from 2023. Adopting a new way of investigating single-patient clinical concerns halved the average time to assess the concern from 30 weeks to 15 weeks.
- Sector leadership: The GDC used its convening role to bring the sector together to highlight the challenges facing patients and the professions through three Dental Leadership Network events. The regulator attended more than 400 stakeholder meetings, six industry events and launched a programme for its chief executive to visit dental settings and listen to the issues and challenges facing dental professionals.
The report highlights the GDC’s desire to improve its digital capability and improve the experience for dental professionals accessing online services such as registration and renewal.
Lord Toby Harris, Chair of the GDC, and Tom Whiting, Chief Executive at the GDC, said: “2025 will see updated guidance on the Standards for Education and Scope of Practice, both after extensive and invaluable stakeholder engagement.
“We will be bold in our plans to improve fitness to practise, improving guidance on decision making to ensure fairness and consistency, providing more support for dental professionals, through training our staff and signposting to help, and looking to address and reduce fear.”
The GDC met 16 of 18 Professional Standards Authority (PSA) Standards of Good Regulation, achieving the standards in registration, and updated its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategy in 2024. The consultation on the GDC’s new Corporate Strategy 2026-2028 closes on 21 August.