The GDC has reviewed and revised the Scope of Practice guidance for dental professionals in the UK.
Taking effect as of 1st November 2025, the new guidance doesn’t change the actual scope of practice for any member of the dental team. Instead, it has been designed to provide improved clarity on the existing responsibilities and limitations to those in each role.
This update follows a comprehensive review and analysis of the old guidance, including consultation with dental professionals, education providers, indemnifiers and other key stakeholders. Available on the GDC website, the Consultation Outcome Report highlighted strong concerns among the profession about how effectively the previous guidelines helped to protect patients by promoting safe dentistry. The document contains direct responses from the GDC to a number of issues raised, as well as explanation of how the new guidelines have been tailored to address the problems and close gaps.
To support implementation of the revised guidelines, the GDC is offering free online sessions for dental professionals to hear more about the changes. There is also a Q&A opportunity to allow individuals to seek further clarification where needed. The sessions are available on Eventbrite, October 13th-23rd 7.30pm.
The GDC has come under fire in recent years, with many in the profession expressing frustration and resentment towards how the regulator has handled aspects like direct-to-patient marketing, and fitness to practise cases. While its main focus is on keeping patients safe, the updated Scope of Practice guidelines are intended to help professionals deliver the high standards of care expected.
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