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Raising concerns about dental treatment

The GDC can look into serious concerns about the ability, health or behaviour of a dental professional.

Should I raise a concern? How do I raise a concern?
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The GDC can look into serious concerns about the ability, health or behaviour of a dental professional that suggest the professional could:

  • Cause significant harm to patients.
  • Cause significant harm to colleagues or the general public.
  • Undermine public confidence in the dental profession.

Some common examples include serious or repeated mistakes in patient care, fraud, discrimination and any serious criminal offences or convictions.

If you have a concern about a dental professional that might not be serious enough for the GDC to investigate, we suggest raising it with the professional themselves, or with the NHS (if the treatment was provided through the NHS).

In the current exceptional circumstances of COVID-19, all registrants should comply with current  guidance on COVID-19 from the NHS, GDC and other health bodies when making an appropriate risk assessment on any treatment given.

Where the GDC receives a complaint arising from such treatment and it considers that a registrant has acted in accordance with current guidance on COVID-19, the GDC will not commence an investigation into the registrant’s fitness to practise in relation to that complaint.

Should I raise a concern?

Should I raise a concern?

Dental professionals and practices will have a procedure for dealing with feedback and concerns raised. The GDC can look into serious concerns about the ability, health or behaviour of a dental professional.

Should I raise a concern?
How do I raise a concern?

How do I raise a concern?

If you've read the guidance in Should I raise a concern, and think the GDC is the right organisation to contact, you can raise your concern through our website.

Raise a concern
How do I report illegal tooth whitening or dentistry?

How do I report illegal tooth whitening or dentistry?

Offering or providing dental treatments when you are not registered with the GDC is illegal practice.

Report illegal tooth whitening or dentistry