Fitness to Practice statistical report for 2024 published

The 2024 Fitness to Practice (FtP) statistical report, published by the GDC, highlighted that 18 dental professionals (0.01% of all registered dental professionals) were removed from the register following practice committee hearings.

As published in The Probe, the report shows that there were 1,404 concerns received in 2024 – an increase of 8% on the previous year. Of these concerns, only 12% progressed to a practice committee hearing. The report demonstrated improvements in case handling efficiency as 76% of cases met assessment timeframe targets in Q4 of 2024.

Patients and members of the public accounted for 61% of cases received, showing that they remain the primary source of concerned. Dental professionals in London and the South East were more likely to have fitness to practice claims raised, accounting for 22% in a regional analysis.

Key demographic patterns also emerged:

• Male dentists more likely to have concerned raised against them than female dentists – accounting for 65% of concerns.
•  Asian or British Asian dentists faced disproportionately high number of concerns, at 34%.
• Younger dental professionals were less likely to receive concerns than others.
• Dentists ages 51-60 account for 21% of FtP concerns.
• Dental care professionals aged 31-40 account for 38% of concerns.

The report also shows that 54% of investigation stage cases were completed within six months during 2024.

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