Members of the public have the chance to express their views and find out how decisions are made by the UK dental regulator, the General Dental Council (GDC), at its September Council meeting in Cardiff.

The move towards a smaller, fully appointed Council with an increased lay membership, and the new exam for overseas dentists, are two subjects the Council will discuss at the meeting on Tuesday 18 September.

The meeting will begin by allowing members of the public to put questions to the President and members of the Council in English and Welsh. This aims to give people an opportunity to find out more about the work of the GDC and the issues to be discussed at the meeting.

GDC President Hew Mathewson said:

“Our role is to protect patients and safeguard standards in UK dentistry. This meeting provides members of the public in Wales with the opportunity to ask us about our work.” 

The Council meeting will take place from 11:15 at the St David’s Hotel, Havannah Street, Cardiff.

Ends

For media enquiries, please contact Rachel Lea on 020 7009 2782.

Notes to editors:

1. The General Dental Council is the organisation which regulates dental professionals in the UK.  All dentists, dental hygienists, dental therapists, clinical dental technicians and orthodontic therapists must be registered with the GDC to work in the UK - whether they work in the NHS, private practice or any other form of practice. From 31 July 2008 all dental nurses and dental technicians must be registered with the GDC to work in the UK.

Our role is to protect dental patients.
• We register qualified dental professionals.
• We set high standards of dental practice and behaviour.
• We quality-assure dental education.
• We make sure dental professionals keep their skills and knowledge up to date.
• We take action when a dental professional's ability, behaviour or health makes them unfit to practise (in other words, not suitable to continue working as a dental professional).
• We are working to strengthen and improve patient protection.
• We work in partnership with the public and dental professionals.

More information about all areas of the GDC’s work is available from this website.

2. The agenda and papers for this Council meeting will be available on this website from Tuesday 11 September.