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Registration
Registration
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Here you can find out if you are able to apply for registration with the GDC, if you will need to pass the overseas registration exam before you can register, and what Brexit means for you.
Overseas Registration Exam
The Overseas registration exam (ORE) is an exam that overseas qualified dentists have to pass in order to register with the GDC. Registration allows dentists to practice dentistry unsupervised in the UK.
Your registration
Dental professionals must maintain their registration and keep their information up to date. You can manage your registration quickly and easily online using eGDC.
Annual Renewal and fees
Dental professionals pay a fee to register with us and an annual fee to remain on our register.
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Education & CPD
Education & CPD
CPD for dental professionals
CPD is about keeping your professional skills and knowledge up to date.
Dental students and trainees
Our dedicated hub for students and trainees will help and guide you along your journey to becoming a member of the dental team.
Dental education and training quality assurance
We set the standards for dental education and training, and check to ensure those standards are being met by providers.
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Concerns
Concerns
Making a complaint to your dental professional
If you're not happy with the treatment or service you have had, it's usually best to tell the practice directly - they may be able to sort the problem out there and then.
Raising concerns about dental treatment
The GDC can look into serious concerns about the ability, health or behaviour of a dental professional.
How we handle concerns
This section covers what you need to do, and what to expect, if a concern has been raised about you, as well as information about upcoming, current, and past hearings.
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Information, standards & guidance
Information, standards & guidance
COVID-19
This section has the latest information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19) for dental professionals and the public. We'll continue to update it regularly.
Information for patients and the public
Find out about aligners or braces sent directly to your home, tooth whitening, going abroad for dental treatment and the standard of care you should expect from your dental professional.
Standards and guidance
Sets out the standards of conduct, performance and ethics that govern you as a dental professional.
Supporting the dental team
This guide is to assist you with supporting dental professionals in working together as a well-trained, motivated and competent dental team delivering safe, high-quality care to patients.
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About us
About us
What we do
The General Dental Council (GDC) is the UK-wide statutory regulator of the dental team.
Our organisation
Find out about our role, our Council, current strategic and costed corporate plans, who we regulate, results of our work, and the other organisations we work with here.
Who we are
Find out more about the committees and boards that have been created to support the General Dental Council.
Work with us
Information about how you can work with, or for, the GDC
Freedom of Information
The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act gives people rights of access to the information authorities hold.
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COVID-19
Latest findings of the impacts of COVID-19
The impacts of COVID-19
Access to dental services has been severely limited and will take time to recover
Oral health inequalities are being created and exacerbated
Uncertainty reigns and is likely to continue for some time
Financial and workforce impacts are considerable and will continue to be felt
Dental service design is quickly evolving and needs to be supported
Webinar: The impacts of COVID-19 on dentistry
COVID-19 latest information
COVID-19 latest guidance for England
COVID-19 latest guidance for Scotland
COVID-19 latest guidance for Wales
COVID-19 latest guidance for Northern Ireland
COVID-19 guidance from the GDC
COVID-19 vaccination guidance
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Tooth whitening and illegal practice
What is the legal position?
Am I working legally?
Illegal tooth whitening
Other dental treatments
What you can expect from your dental professional
Dental costs
Going abroad for dental treatment
Aligners or braces sent directly to your home
Am I confident that the treatment is right and safe for me?
Have I had direct interaction with my dentist to inform my consent?
Who is the person that's treating me?
Standards and guidance
Standards for the dental team
Complaint handling
Direct access
Scope of practice
GDC guidance for dental professionals
Conflicts of interest
Direct-to-consumer orthodontics: information to support professional judgement
GDC Statement on ‘direct-to-consumer’ orthodontic treatment
Direct-to-consumer orthodontics - social media toolkit
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GDC position statement on dual registration requirements
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Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)
Ensure that our regulatory activity is fair, transparent, and accessible to all
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Fitness to practise panel
Alastair Smith
Lay FtP panel member
Alastair Smith
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Alastair Smith is managing editor for an independent publishing company. Aside from his work in publishing, Alastair has a background in project management.
Updated: Wed, 03 Jul 2019
Alastair Smith - Register of interests
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