GDC publishes revised Scope of Practice guidance
Provides greater clarity on existing title boundaries.
The General Dental Council (GDC) has published its revised Scope of Practice guidance after a comprehensive review and collaboration with dental professionals, education providers, indemnifiers, and other key stakeholders.
The revised guidance has not changed the scope of practice for any of the seven dental professional titles. Rather, said the GDC, it provides greater clarity on existing title boundaries. The regulator said the guidance will “better support dental professionals to use their professional judgement within these boundaries for the benefit of patients.”
It will take effect on 1 November.
The GDC has reminded dental professionals that having a professional title does not automatically mean they can or should do everything within that title’s scope. They must be trained, competent and covered by indemnity or insurance before carrying out any task that falls within their professional title’s scope.
The revised Scope of Practice guidance and the consultation outcome report are published on the GDC website.
To support its implementation, the GDC will deliver online sessions for dental professionals and stakeholders over the coming months to explain changes to the guidance and address any questions. Registration is available via Eventbrite.
The Scope of Practice guidance was first introduced in 2009 to outline the skills and abilities every dental professional should have upon registration with the GDC, as well as those they might develop later in their careers.
Ross Scales, Head of Upstream Regulation at the GDC, said the revised guidance represents the contributions from, and engagement with, the dental sector. “Our aim has been to provide the clarity and support that dental professionals have called for, allowing them to work to their full scope and use their professional judgement to put patients first,” he said.
“We are grateful to all those who contributed to this review, and we look forward to supporting the professions in understanding and applying the revised guidance.”