View from the Chair: Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion; responses to the proposed new framework for professionalism consultation; inviting feedback on guidance for fitness to practise decision makers

Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is central to everything we do both as a regulator and an employer. It is also at the heart of our strategy for 2026 to 2028 and embedded into our strategic objectives. Our approach seeks to make regulation fairer and more inclusive, equip professionals to provide safe and effective care to a diverse population, tackle discrimination and sexual misconduct and use evidence and engagement to identify and address inequalities across dentistry.

Saying this is one thing but it's essential that we also show and explain what we are doing. I am therefore very pleased that we have launched a new section on our website that provides clear, relevant and accessible data and information, alongside the actions we are taking to reduce inequalities and ensure our regulatory processes are fair. We start by explaining what we mean by equality, diversity and inclusion. We share insights and research findings relevant to caring for a diverse population. We describe how we work to ensure fairness in decision-making, using data, research, audits and quality assurance to identify and reduce potential bias or disproportionality in regulatory decisions.

We are clear that discrimination and sexual misconduct have no place in dentistry. Everyone should be treated equally and with respect, whether a patient, a member of the public or part of the dental team. Dental professionals should not remain silent if they witness discrimination, sexual misconduct or other behaviour putting patients or colleagues at risk.

I am sure that you will find this a useful resource to learn more about how we are making EDI central to our role and work.

Listening to feedback

Responding to our public consultations is one way to provide feedback to us. Our consultation on a new framework for professionalism closed on 31 August and we were delighted to receive more than 230 responses from dental professionals, stakeholders and the public. Thank you to everyone who responded.

Our proposals are to replace the Standards for the Dental Team with a Framework for Professionalism, consisting of four Principles of Professionalism, supported by Expectations, statutory Professional Guidance, and practical resources such as case studies, blogs and videos.

These proposals mark a big step towards making regulation work better for dental professionals and their patients, with a new approach which is simpler, clearer and more accessible. They are not about changing the expectations on dental professionals to ensure patient safety and public confidence in the professions. The aim is to make it easier to apply professional judgement confidently in practice, in patients’ best interests. As such, this work is an important part of delivery of our 2026-2028 strategy, particularly our first objective to support dental professionals to provide safe and effective care for their patients.

Our teams will be analysing all of the responses and recommending the outcome to Council later this year.

Give feedback on guidance for fitness to practise (FtP) decision makers

We are now seeking feedback on guidance for decision makers at the two earliest stages of our FtP process, which will affect dental professionals whose cases reach these stages, and their representatives. It is also relevant to patients, the public and other organisations with an interest in FtP. We've written the guidance in clear, plain language and largely free of technical terms, in an effort to ease some of the fear and uncertainty that surrounds FtP. Areas of particular focus include guidance on sexual misconduct, discrimination, harassment and victimisation, offensive behaviour and freedom of expression, and health. This guidance sets out the factors that decision makers should consider.

The consultation marks the final stage of a wider programme to review guidance for decision makers at every stage of the FtP process, as part of our 2026-2028 strategy. I strongly encourage you to review the proposals and provide feedback before the consultation closes at 23:59 on 2 November 2026.

Thank you

I know from my experience elsewhere in healthcare that the traditional summer holiday period usually brings no let-up in the need for care for patients and the public. That and dealing with this year’s record temperatures has probably made for a challenging summer for many people who work in healthcare. I hope that you found an opportunity to get a break or just to reflect, pause and look after yourself. I thank everyone in the dental team for continuing to deliver safe and effective care throughout summer and the rest of the year.