MyGDCReasonable adjustments
Dental patients and reasonable adjustments
Please contact your dental practice directly if you need a reasonable adjustment to visit the dentist or other dental professional. Your dental practice may refer you to another provider if they are not able to provide the adjustments you need.
You can ask for a reasonable adjustment if you have a disability or impairment. You should contact your dental practice for support if you normally experience stress or anxiety about visiting the dentist. The dental team is trained to support you.
Dental service providers and reasonable adjustments
All dental service providers must ensure that reasonable adjustments are made to ensure premises and services are accessible to all people with a disability or physical or mental health condition. Adjustments may also be needed to support the needs of other members of the dental team.
The requirements are included in the Standards for the Dental Team.
Find further guidance on reasonable adjustments in healthcare:
- Reasonable adjustments | NHS England
- Reasonable Adjustment Flag | NHS England Digital
- Oral care and people with learning disabilities | Public Health England
- Clinical standards for dental anxiety management | NHS England
Dental student requests for reasonable adjustments
Students who need a reasonable adjustment to complete their studies should first approach their training or education provider to make a request.
You may find it helpful to review the Dental Schools Council policy on reasonable adjustments in undergraduate training programmes in the UK.
Reasonable adjustments when accessing GDC services
Reasonable adjustments are available to those accessing GDC services and functions, including registration, annual renewal and during an investigation.
If you require a reasonable adjustment, you should get in touch about your requirements using our online contact form. If this is not suitable, you can contact our customer advice service on 020 7167 6000.
We invite all those involved in an investigation to tell us about any reasonable adjustments they might need when notifying them of our intention to undertake an investigation into the fitness to practise of a dental professional.
If you are currently involved in an active investigation, and would like to request a reasonable adjustment, you should contact your named caseworker. If you are not sure who that is, please use the online contact form or call 020 7167 6000.
Reasonable adjustments at the Dental Professionals Hearings Service
Hearings for dental professionals are administered by the Dental Professionals Hearings Service. If you have been contacted about attending a hearing, and think you may need a reasonable adjustment to ensure you can participate fully, you should contact the Dental Professionals Hearings Service.
Dental Professionals Hearings Service can also use adaptations or special measures to make it easier for vulnerable witnesses to give evidence. You can find further details in the hearings services’ case management guidance.
Vulnerable witnesses include:
- those who are the alleged victim of sexual misconduct, assault or violence
- any witness who says they have been intimidated
- those under 18 years of age, and
- anyone who has a mental disability or condition that would affect their ability to give their best evidence.