The General Dental Council (GDC) has introduced new guidance for dental professionals on how to report certain matters.

The new guidance took effect in February 2025, and will have implications for how complaints, concerns and fitness to practise issues are handled.

To help you understand these changes, ensure compliance and safeguard both your practice and your professional standing, we unpack the new guidance and how it might impact your day-to-day practice.

What's new: clearer guidelines for reporting

One of the most important updates in the new guidance is that the GDC has tried to clarify what should be reported, along with how and when.

While many dental professionals will be aware of the obligation to report serious concerns (such as criminal convictions or significant clinical failures), the new guidance offers additional criteria for reporting matters to the GDC.

Professional and personal conduct

The GDC has expanded on the types of behaviours and actions that should be reported, beyond just those that might jeopardise patient safety but also those affecting public confidence in the dental profession. This includes certain types of criminal activity and professional misconduct that might not directly affect patient safety but could still harm the reputation of the profession.

Concerns about colleagues

There's also a clearer expectation that dental professionals report concerns about their colleagues, particularly in situations where another dental professional may not be meeting the standards of care expected.

The guidance encourages individuals to first raise concerns with their employer or within their team, but ultimately stresses the importance of escalating the matter to the GDC if the concern remains unresolved.

Fitness to practise

The guidance places greater emphasis on the reporting of issues that could impair a dental professional's ability to practice safely and effectively, such as issues related to substance misuse, physical or mental health conditions, or criminal convictions.

Dental professionals must be proactive in reporting if they are concerned about their own fitness to practise, or a colleague's.

What effect will it have on your practice?

The new guidance might several effects on your practice.

Internal reporting

All workplaces may need to review their internal reporting procedures, checking that team members are aware of how to raise concerns appropriately within the organisation. Training and awareness campaigns may become more necessary to foster a culture of openness and safety.

Dental professionals will need to be aware of their responsibilities. We urge you to contact your defence organisation for advice on the nuances of the new guidelines, especially if you're unsure if a situation qualifies for reporting or if you need support in dealing with the aftermath of a report.

GDC investigations

We are concerned that the heightened focus on reporting could result in more cases being investigated by the GDC. Dental professionals who have been reported may face formal investigations, even if the report is ultimately determined to be unfounded.

This has the potential to result in significant stress and potential damage to your professional reputation, so understanding the process and having support from your defence organisation can be invaluable.

Culture shift

Finally, it's possible that the new guidance may shift the culture within dental workplaces; emphasising the importance of early intervention and the reporting of concerns could lead to more collaborative, transparent working environments.

However, it may also increase the possibility of tensions arising between colleagues if there are disagreements about what constitutes a reportable matter. Ensuring proper communication and a clear policy on how to handle internal concerns is now more important than ever.

Conclusion

The GDC's guidance aims to make sure that the dental profession remains committed to high standards of patient care and public safety. Our main advice for dental professionals is to understand these changes and be proactive in seeking advice when concerns arise.

Ultimately, a culture of openness, alongside access to proper legal and professional support, will allow members to continue to thrive while maintaining the profession's reputation for integrity and care.