Corporate dentistry
An Order to amend the Dentists Act (1984) was made in July 2005 which removed key restrictions on Dental Bodies Corporate (DBCs). Prior to these changes 28 DBCs existed and they formed the GDC’s list of DBCs. This list is no longer in force.
Any corporate body can now carry out the business of dentistry provided that it can satisfy the requirements in relation to directors of bodies corporate set out in section 43 of the Dentists Act:
- One intended objective of the amendment was to require a majority of the directors of a DBC to be registered dentists or registered Dental Care Professionals (DCPs), or a combination of dentists and DCPs. However, it has been brought to our attention that section 43 as drafted is causing confusion amongst registrants. We are currently seeking independent legal advice on the requirements under section 43 and may revise the information contained on our website if necessary.
- A person whose name is currently erased or suspended from one of the specified statutory registers will be committing an offence punishable by a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale set in UK law if he/she is the director of a DBC. The specified statutory registers are the registers are kept by: The General Chiropractic Council; The General Dental Council; The General Medical Council; The General Optical Council; The Health Professions Council; The Nursing and Midwifery Council; The General Osteopathic Council; The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain; The Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland.
The GDC is not a licensing body and a corporate body does not require our approval to set itself up as a DBC. Therefore, whilst we have been considering establishing a list of all corporate bodies carrying on the business of dentistry under the provisions of the amended Dentists Act, such a list would have limited regulatory impact. This has no impact upon the ability to incorporate in accordance with the Dentists Act.
Please note that we cannot provide advice on the interpretation and application of the Dentists Act in relation to DBCs. We would recommend that you contact your solicitor or other appropriate professional adviser if you have any further questions.