GDC Working on New Standards for Professionalism
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- Published: Monday, 16 October 2023 09:28
- Written by Peter Ingle
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The language may be dull, but the message could be career ending.The GDC along with other medical regulators, has produced a variety of rulebooks over the years. Periodically a new set are introduced, for example the bans on naming practices, and insistence on putting recalls in envelopes, have long been consigned to dental history.
Changes to the GDC rulebook will soon be made that may profoundly alter the very nature of regulation and guidance. They are likely to have a significant influence on Fitness to Practice proceedings, legal claims, and day to day practice.
The most recent set of GDC standards, known as the “silver book” are now ten years old. The world and dentistry have changed, besides any corporate need within the GDC to demonstrate its activity. The proposed changes will be more than an update. A key aspect is that there will be a move from what is described as a ‘rules based’ document, to new standards that are driven by principles.
This big change arises from GDC work that began in 2019, with the new standards likely to come into force in 2025. The GDC are working to establish legitimacy for their new approach and have begun a range of engagements with stakeholders. Part of this process is a series of online sessions billed as “exploring new ways of setting standards and guidance.” In their words, “at this event we will be exploring:
- The goals that any model of guidance should achieve
- The benefits and challenges of the current Standards of the Dental Team
- A potential new model of guidance centred around principles of professionalism
- Any other potential alternative models to consider
Towards the end of the event, there will be a panel discussion with stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds.”
The session, held on Teams, had 42 participants as it began. It was led, or in her words facilitated, by Dr Joanne Rewcastle, Associate Director of Communications and Engagement at the GDC. Delivering much of the content in the first part was Kristen Bottrell, Policy Manager at the GDC, leading on promoting professionalism and resolution of complaints. Ms Bottrell was introduced by Dr Rewcastle as the GDC’s “expert and guru” on these matters.
The new standards were a key part of the GDC’s corporate strategy, and aimed to support decision making while being less prescriptive. There was some discussion about what constituted professionalism, and how the public’s view of this might not match that of registrants. The present 98 page standards document, was seen as prescriptive. It has 9 core principles, which are then then broken down into 29 patient expectations, 42 standards and 176 guidance statements. This was described as a “rules based” approach to compliance. The intention with the new standards is that they will be more supportive, and so help registrants reach the best decision in the specific circumstances of each individual interaction with patients.
Using a slide with a scale showing the range between fully rules based and completely principles based, the new standards were shown at about 60% of the way to being fully principles-based.
The format of the new standards will once again begin with a set of principles, however it will then move to guidance, followed by support material. The intention is that the given principles will be basic ones to the extent that one would worry about a registrant unable to agree with them. Guidance documents will be avoided unless they relate to a legal or professional obligation, a topic where guidance is not available elsewhere, or the GDC feels that further guidance is required. The GDC website will contain linked supportive materials that will cover areas that do not meet this threshold. This raised some comments in the chat where participants expressed concerns that any such material published by the GDC, would soon acquire “should” or even “must” status.
By this time the session was near its half way point, and it was becoming apparent that the GDC’s “exploration” was more of a guided tour, with Dr Rewcastle and Ms Bottrell leading it, as viewers were shown around some of the sights in what will be the new standards.
The second part of this story will look at a scenario that was discussed by the GDC’s selected panel, in some detail, at the presentation. This was intended was to examine how the new standards will apply in practice.
This is not a “we watched it so you don’t have to” news item. The GDC have said that they want input from interested parties. This can be done either by viewing the proposals on the GDC website, Exploring professionalism (gdc-uk.org) and commenting, or contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Showing a commitment to engagement Ms Bottrell’s message to registrants was “please don’t be shy.” She also offered to come and give bespoke presentations to interested groups.
GDC Working on New Standards of Professionalism
I think the GDC should be invited to address GDPUK. I understand that currently they don't wish to engage with GDPUK, but now its time they step up to it.I think we can promise we won't be shy.
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