Reforming our complaints procedures

We are currently delivering a modernisation programme to extend our powers. This involves amending the Dentists Act (1984). One focus of this work is to strengthen our role in protecting patients.

We have recently introduced:

• a new, separate Fitness to Practise Panel to hear cases
• new conduct and health procedures, so that we can be more efficient, transparent and accessible in the way we deal with complaints,
• new procedures to tackle poor performance in dentists, aiming to protect the public while offering remedial help where this is a safe option.