For the first time in the history of the GDC, a special national conference was convened by the profession to discuss the performance of the GDC and take action against its heavy-handed approach to regulation.
Over 200 dentists and dental professionals from all around the country attended the special event at the Cavendish Conference Centre in London to ensure their voice was heard and to register their discontent at the actions of the GDC.
The motion that “this conference believes the GDC has failed in its role as the regulator for dentistry in its current model and demands a reformation of the GDC that will protect patients and re-establish the support of the dental profession" was passed unanimously.
The rebelling dentist community believes that the GDC has failed the very profession it regulates, as well as dental patients. The GDC is no longer led by a dentist, but by William Moyes, an appointed professional.
Among many changes which have been made by the GDC in the last year, the GDC recently announced a 55 per cent increase in their annual registration fees for dentists, from approximately £576pa to £890pa. This move was opposed by 98 per cent of dentists in England and Wales, who fear that the considerable fee increase may lead to reduced access to NHS dental services for patients.
Ian Gordon, spokesperson for the alliance of local dental committees fighting to improve regulation in the industry, said at today’s conference “Dentists from Berwick to Bournemouth have come together to defend themselves from a regulator that no longer has the confidence of their profession.
“Fundamental reform is clearly needed, starting with a return to mutual trust and away from a culture of fear.
Proportional regulation led by a regulator who understands the profession is a pre requisite to progress.
The GDC simply has to reform and return to working with the profession and not against it
Ultimately that will be the best outcome for patients.”