About the GDC
The GDC’s purpose is to protect the public by regulating dental professionals in the United Kingdom. The GDC’s aims are:
- to protect patients;
- to promote confidence in dental professionals;
- to be at the forefront of healthcare regulation.
The Council is a statutory authority established by the Dentists Act 1956 (as amended by subsequent legislation). All Dentists and Dental Care Professionals must be registered with us to work in the UK. We currently have over 92,000 registrants which include dentists, dental nurses, dental hygienists, dental therapists, orthodontic therapists, dental technicians and clinical dental technicians.
The Council has 29 Council members – 10 are members of the public appointed by the Crown, and 19 are dental professionals (15 dentists and four dental hygienists and therapists) elected by dental professionals. A staff team of around 130 people supports the Council’s work. The Council meets in public about four times a year and is assisted in carrying out its work by a number of Committees and Working Groups. The Council membership is set to change later in 2009.
For further information about the GDC, please visit their website at www.gdc-uk.org.