Scottish Dental

The General Dental Council (GDC), alongside eight other UK healthcare regulators, today published its 2025 annual report on whistleblowing disclosures, covering the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

The joint report demonstrates the healthcare regulators’ continued coordinated effort in addressing whistleblowing concerns and maintaining transparency in how these disclosures are handled.

Key findings for the GDC:

• 79 whistleblowing disclosures were received – the same number as last year.
• All disclosures resulted in regulatory action taking place, namely the opening of a fitness to practise case.
• 46 cases proceeded with regulatory action taken, while 32 were closed due to insufficient information despite efforts to obtain it.
• Of the 46 remaining cases, 29 are still being considered at the assessment stage, and may lead to a referral by the Case Examiners.
• 51 of the concerns came from dental professionals, 22 from non-registrants employed in dentistry, and six were anonymous.
• Conduct concerns featured in 54 of the 79 disclosures.

During the reporting period, the GDC strengthened its approach to identifying and supporting whistleblowers through quarterly reviews and additional verification processes implemented in 2024-25, ensuring appropriate support for those raising concerns.

The GDC also enhanced its approach to managing whistleblowing disclosures through improved quarterly review processes. The regulator completed additional reviews in 2024 and 2025 to confirm the status of individuals raising concerns and ensure they meet the whistleblowing criteria.

The Whistleblowing disclosures report 2025 is published jointly by the GDC with the General Chiropractic Council, General Medical Council, General Optical Council, General Osteopathic Council, General Pharmaceutical Council, Health and Care Professions Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council and Social Work England.