GDC publishes 2019 fitness to practise statistical and insight reports

The General Dental Council (GDC) has published several reports which provide statistics and examples of fitness to practise case handling undertaken during 2019.

The statistical report provides a quantitative picture of fitness to practise in 2019. In addition, the regulator has also published six short insight reports covering decisions at the initial assessment stage for quarters three and four of 2019, including spotlight reports on concerns relating to consent and record keeping.

The reports show that of all the concerns received in 2019, only 36 per cent made it to a case examiner – the first stage at which a sanction may be imposed on a dental professional. The reports also reveal a further year-on-year increase in concerns raised by dental professionals, from 10 per cent to 13 per cent of the total, including ‘blue on blue’ cases – separate to those which are categorised as ‘whistleblowing’ by professionals.