GDC checks on dentists' declarations

The GDC is happy to co-operate with PCTs, LHBs and others who are required to verify declarations made by dentists who are on dental lists or are applying to join dental lists. These guidance notes are not regulations. They are provided to help the appropriate NHS bodies carry out their checks. The GDC will keep these notes under review.

Dentists applying to join lists (including supplementary lists)

The GDC is not able to process bulk requests for verification. We understand that Primary Care organisations are required to verify dentists' declarations in all cases. The GDC will aim to respond within five working days of receipt.

What We Need

In all cases in which GDC verification is sought, we can provide a faster more efficient service if your request contains the necessary information and the dentist's consent in appropriate terms. Some of the information you need is not publicly available in the Dentists Register. We therefore need to see a copy of the dentist's consent for us to disclose the information. Although we do not prescribe the wording of the consent you need to obtain from the dentist, we can process applications more quickly if it contains at least the following, or words to the same effect:- 

"I consent to a request being made by the Primary Care Trust to …[the GDC or any ….regulatory …body in the United Kingdom or elsewhere,] for information relating to a current investigation or an investigation where the outcome was adverse, by them into my professional conduct and to the disclosure of such information to the Primary Care Trust by [the body in question OR the GDC]."

We also need to see on the consent:

• A signature, which should be an original or be validated by the requesting authority
• Full name of the dental professional
• GDC registration number
• Date on which the consent form was signed

Notes

1. The dentist must have consented not only to the PCT making the request but also to the disclosure by the GDC.
   
2. The consent refers to specified investigations by the Council. So it would not cover information held by the Council about third party (eg. police, HSE) investigations which were not otherwise disclosable by the Council under Note 2 above.