Protecting patients

Our key purpose is to ensure patients are protected. Dental professionals have to meet certain standards and expectations in order to get on and stay on our registers.

Every dental professional working in the United Kingdom should be registered with us. This means your dentist, dental nurse, dental hygienist, dental therapist, orthodontic therapist, dental technician or clinical dental technician. To stay registered they need to meet these standards.

Search the register to check a dental professional is registered.

Look for a specialist in different areas of dentistry.

How we can help you

Our leaflet called Smile (641KB, PDF) explains how the GDC works to protect you as a patients
We have advice for you if you're thinking of Going abroad for treatment (288KB, PDF)
If you are considering tooth whitening - go to a dentist first
Know where your dental appliance (crown, denture etc.) was made - ask for a statement of manufacture (54KB, PDF)
See if the Dental Complaints Service can resolve problems with private treatment
Find out if we can investigate a complaint against a dental professional
Get more information about being a witness in a case.

Do you need this information in a different format or language?

We are committed to promoting and developing equality and diversity in all our work. We want to ensure that all of our products and services are accessible to everyone. If you would like a copy of the information on our website in a different format (for example, large print or audio) or a language other than English, please contact us.

Other organisations which might be able to help

(Please note the GDC is not responsible for the content on these websites.)

NHS Choices - a website dedicated to NHS care

Dental Complaints Service - a free service funded by the GDC to help resolve complaints about private treatment

HSE - the Health and Safety Executive is the independent regulator for work-related health, safety and illness in Great Britain

Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of health and social care in England which registers all providers of dental treatment in England

Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority registers providers of private dental treatment in Northern Ireland

Health Inspectorate Wales is the independent inspectorate and regulator of all healthcare in Wales

Healthcare Improvement Scotland has responsibility for the regulation of independent healthcare services in Scotland, previously the responsibility of the Care Commission.

Patient and Client Council (Northern Ireland) aims to provide an independent voice for patients, clients, carers, and communities on health and social care issues.

Northern Ireland Ombudsman aims to ensure that every citizen in Northern Ireland is served by a fair and efficient public administration that is committed to accountability; openness; and quality of service.

Healthcare Regulation Worldwide provides a searchable online database of health regulators, and professional bodies for health professionals.

You may also wish to refer to our Links page which lists other organisations professional bodies and patient groups.