eGDCThe Council
The Council is the GDC's strategic body. It decides policy, sets strategic direction and approves key organisational changes. The Council works to promote public safety and ensure that the public have confidence in the dental profession.
A large part of the Council's role is to scrutinise the work of the organisation, set a positive tone and culture, seek assurance over the way in which the organisation is run and hold the Executive to account.
Our governance arrangements are also detailed through secondary legislation, including constitution of committees and the election and appointment of members, and various procedures.
Council Chair
Dr Helen Phillips was appointed as Chair of the General Dental Council, following approval by the Privy Council, and took up office on 1 October 2025.
Council members
The Council is made up of 12 members, including its chair, comprising six registrant members and six lay members. One member must live or work wholly or mainly in each of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, to reflect the fact that the GDC is a UK-wide regulator. Its constitution is set out in legislation; the Dentists Act 1984 and in secondary legislation. Council members’ registers of interests can be found on their individual profile pages.
Committees
The Council has a number of statutory and non-statutory committees with various roles and responsibilities.
Appointments Committee
The Appointments Committee (otherwise known as Statutory Panellists Assurance Committee) was established to recruit and oversee the appointment of members to the GDC’s statutory committees and is an independent committee of Council.
Non-statutory Standing Committees
A Standing Committee is a committee which is not enshrined in the Dentists Act but is a committee of the Council populated by Council members. The Council has relative freedom in determining its own Standing Committees sometimes with the support of an independent member. The framework for the delegation of powers to the Standing Committees is set out in Standing Orders.
The Council of the GDC is assisted by the following non-statutory Standing Committees, to whom it delegates work. Terms of Reference setting out each committee’s role can be found on the individual committee pages.
Working groups and boards
The Council can set up temporary working groups and boards to assist with aspects of its work.
Standing Orders
Legislation, Rules and Standing Orders set out the role and responsibilities of Council and its committees.
Register of interests, gifts and hospitality
All GDC employees, associates and Council members must declare any professional, personal or business activities or involvement that might constitute a conflict of interest in line with our Managing Interests Policies:
Managing Interests Policy for Council Members and Independent Governance Associates
Managing Interests Policy for Staff
They must also declare any gifts or hospitality that they are offered, regardless of whether or not they are accepted or declined, in line with our Gifts and Hospitality Policies:
Gifts and Hospitality Policy for Council Members and Independent Governance Associates
Gifts and Hospitality Policy for Staff
Declarations of interests, gifts and hospitality for Council members, and for members of the Executive Management Team can be found on their individual profile pages.
Council meetings
Council meetings, both public and closed sessions, are held several times a year, usually at the GDC offices in London or Birmingham.