Investigating Committee

The IC may also: 

• be asked to review a previous decision made by them to refer a case to a Practice Committee
• issue a warning
• close an allegation

The IC meets in private and is made up of three trained committee members drawn from an independently appointed pool. The Committee will be made up of at least one registered dentist, one lay member and, in cases that concern a dental care professional (DCP), at least one registered DCP.

The IC is not asked to decide the facts of the case. The IC do not consider if the allegations made against a dental professional t are true or not true. The IC is required instead to consider if there is a real prospect that the allegation could be proved and that, if proven, it would suggest that the registrant's ability to practice as a dental professional may be affected.

The IC has several options available when making a decision.

These are:

• to adjourn the case for further information
• to close the case and take no further action
• to issue a letter of advice to the dental professional
• to issue a warning to the dental professional
• to issue a warning to the dental professional  and direct that the warning should be published on the GDC website
• to ask the dental professional to agree a series of undertakings on their registration
• to refer the case to one of the three Practice Committees for a full inquiry

The GDC's three Practice Committees are:

• The Professional Conduct Committee.
• The Health Committee.
• The Professional Performance Committee.

It is important to note that when the Investigating Committee members consider it appropriate, they may refer the case to the Interim Orders Committee (IOC). The IOC will consider if a dental professional's registration should be suspended, or made subject to conditions, before the full hearing.

Investigating Committee Members

The Investigating Committee currently includes people who are dentists, DCPs and lay members.