The Investigating Committee (IC) considers allegations of impaired fitness to practise and decides whether to refer the case to one of the three Practice Committees for a full, public inquiry. The Practice Committees are the Professional Conduct Committee, Health Committee and Professional Performance Committee.

The Investigating Committee meets in private and is made up of up to five experienced and trained members (the quorum is three), one of whom must be a lay member and one of whom must be a dental member.

When the Investigating Committee decides there should be an inquiry, they can also, if necessary, refer the registrant to the Interim Orders Committee until the inquiry has been held.

If the Investigating Committee decides not to refer a case to a Practice Committee, they can send the registrant a letter of warning. The committee will determine whether to publish the details of the warning on the register and for how long.

Advice letters can be issued by the committee and sent to either the registrant or any other appropriate party involved.