Consultation is a process for seeking views and ideas from individuals and organisations on a GDC policy or decision which may directly or indirectly affect them. Responses received during consultations are analysed and used to improve policies and inform the decision making process. Consultation therefore helps us make better decisions and deliver better services.

Consultation can take many forms. Normally we produce a written document which provides background to the issue, sets out the purpose of the consultation, and explains how to respond. This document is available on our website for a minimum period of twelve weeks. We can also use other formats, such as focus groups, workshops, and surveys, to enable a greater number of people to become involved in our work.

Open Consultation on Revalidation
You have the opportunity to make suggestions on what revalidation should include and how it should work by replying to our consultation.Patients need to have confidence that the professionals providing their dental care have not only shown that they meet our standards when they join our registers, but can show that they continue to meet the standards expected of them over the course of their working lives. They will do this by revalidating their registration on a regular basis. We are going to pilot the revalidation proposals extensively before we implement a revalidation system. We are currently holding an open consultation on our proposal.

We encourage you to respond to current consultations, review past consultations, and see how we have responded to others’ consultations.