GDC launches new Fitness to Practise Consultation: Advancing fairness, transparency and professional confidence

On 31 March 2026, the General Dental Council (GDC) unveiled one of its most substantial regulatory reviews in recent years: a 12-week public consultation aimed at overhauling key element of its Fitness to Practise (FtP) framework. This initiative marks a critical milestone in the regulator’s ongoing commitment to improving fairness, reducing professional fear and reinforcing public trust in dental regulation.

The consultation is open until 18 June 2026 and seeks stakeholder views on proposed updates to guidance of case examiners and its undertakings bank. This is a shift toward a more consistent, transparent and compassionate approach to FtP decision-making.

Why this consultation matters

UK dental professionals have voiced concerns that the FtP process can feel opaque and stressful. The GDC openly acknowledges this, noting that investigations can “take too long, feel overly complex and lead to a fear of the process.” This is a climate the regulator is actively working to change.

This consultation aims to address those challenges by modernising the procedural foundations that guide how case examiners assess allegations, decide on outcomes, and determine when cases should proceed to a full committee hearing.

At the heart of this initiative is the GDC’s aim to maintain its role as a trusted and effective regulator that supports dental professionals in delivering safe, consistent, patient‑centred care. As Chief Executive Tom Whiting emphasised, improving the FtP framework is essential to ensuring ‘fair, efficient, and proportionate’ outcomes across the sector.

Key themes of the proposed changes

1. Strengthened guidance on serious misconduct

The GDC proposes clearer, more robust guidance around:

• Sexual misconduct
• Discrimination
• Harassment

These categories represent some of the most serious forms of professional misconduct and the updated guidance will ensure case examiners apply consistent, high‑clarity reasoning when assessing such allegations.

This aligns the early investigation stage with recent reforms to practice committee guidance, ensuring compatibility across all FtP decision‑makers.

2. Standardised warning publication periods

Under the proposed reforms, warnings issued by case examiners would be subject to a standardised 12‑month publication period. This move aims to improve consistency, manage expectations more clearly and support fairness for professionals navigating the process.

3. A refreshed undertakings bank

The GDC’s undertakings bank used to agree conditions with professionals without needing to progress to a hearing. This would be updated to better reflect:

• Its unique purpose
• The differences between undertakings and other forms of sanctions
• The need for greater transparency and clarity

This should help ensure undertakings are consistently crafted, easier to understand and proportionate to the concerns raised.

4. More accessible guidance

The GDC plans to remove technical language from the guidance documents where possible. This reflects the regulator’s intention for the materials to be usable not only by professionals, but also by:

• Registrants’ legal representatives
• Patients and members of the public who submit concerns
• Organisations supporting the dental workforce

Simplifying complex regulatory language should reduce confusion, improve accessibility, and enhance the transparency of decision-making.

A critical role for case examiners

Case examiners operate at a pivotal point in the FtP process. Working in pairs, one registered dental professional and one lay member – they:

• Consider allegations of impaired fitness to practise
• Decide whether a case should continue to a practice committee
• Assess whether undertakings or warnings are appropriate

This consultation recognises the heavy responsibility placed on case examiners and seeks to equip them with clear and more robust guidelines to support proportionate and consistent decision‑making.

A step forward in cultural reform for dental regulation

By modernising guidance, simplifying language, standardising outcomes and strengthening clarity in serious cases, the GDC is laying the groundwork for:

• Reduced stress and uncertainty
• More proportional use of regulatory powers
• Enhanced fairness and transparency
• Trust between the regulator and the profession

This aligns with the GDC’s commitment to regulate in a way that supports professionalism and learning rather than fear and punitive outcomes.

What happens next?

The consultation is open to:

• Dental professionals
• Professional bodies
• Legal advisers
• Members of the public
• Anyone with an interest in dental regulation

Feedback gathered before 18 June 2026 deadline will shape the finalised guidance.

Once concluded, the GDC will publish a full summary of responses alongside any adopted changes.

Final thoughts

The GDC’s new Fitness to Practise consultation represents not just a technical update, but a meaningful opportunity to reshape the regulatory landscape. It acknowledges concerns, embraces transparency and signals a shift toward supportive, proportionate and patient‑centred regulation.

Whether you are a dental professional, legal adviser or patient advocate, this consultation offers a valuable platform to influence how fairness and public protection are balanced in modern dental practice.