The GDC is consulting on draft guidance on the scope of practice of all members of the dental team as well as issues around dental nurse and dental technician registration.

The scope of practice guidance outlines the skills that dentists and dental care professionals should have at the point of qualification as well as suggesting additional skills that each group could go on to achieve during their career. The aim is to clarify for patients and members of the dental team what different dental professionals are, or are not, allowed to do.

The Council is asking for views on the skills that:

• each registrant group should have at the point of qualification;
• each registrant group may develop throughout their career; and
• should be ‘reserved’ to particular registrant groups.

The consultation also seeks views on which members of the dental team should be able to carry out tooth whitening, and whether treatments such as Botox, collagen fillers and bone harvesting should be recognised as part of dentistry.

Issues around the registration of dental technicians and dental nurses are also explored in the consultation document. Views are sought on questions such as:

• the definition of ‘in training’ for dental technicians and dental nurses; and
• who can do what in an emergency?

The consultation document is available on this website. The closing date for responses is 9 May 2008.