eGDCRaise a concern if you work in dentistry
If you work in dentistry and want to report wrongdoing that you have seen at work, you may be protected in law as a whistleblower. The issue you are reporting needs to be in the public interest.
We cannot resolve individual complaints or disputes.
If you are a registered dental professional, you have a responsibility to report any issues or concerns that may affect fitness to practise. See our guidance on reporting concerns about practice, health or behaviour, including criminal proceedings.
Whistleblowing (disclosures in the public interest) and reporting a public protection concern are not always the same. Read the guidance below before identifying yourself as a whistleblower.
Whistleblowing
Some types of wrongdoing count as whistleblowing.
You will need to be an employee and the incident will normally be something you’ve seen at work, though not always.
You can blow the whistle about an incident:
- that has happened in the past
- is happening in your workplace now
- you believe will happen in the near future.
If you work in the NHS (or HSC in Northern Ireland), you should consider using the whistleblowing procedures where you work.
As a whistleblower you’re protected by law. Read the UK government advice on whistleblowing before reporting. It explains who is protected by law and the types of complaints that count as whistleblowing.
You may also be able to get advice from:
- England: Freedom to Speak Up Guardians
- England and Wales: Protect
- Scotland: Independent National Whistleblowing Officer
- Northern Ireland: NI Direct government services
Workplace grievances
Workplace grievances should be raised with your employer using your work procedures. Contact your trade union or the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service for help.
We cannot resolve workplace grievances.
Reporting your issue or concern
We investigate serious concerns and act in the public interest.
If you are unsure about whether the wrongdoing you have seen at work is something you should report, think about what might happen if you do not mention it. If in doubt, raise your concern.
How to report a public protection issue.
Further information
We publish a whistleblowing disclosures report each year detailing how we handle disclosures and the action we’ve taken.
Find out more about how we look into public protection issues or concerns when they are raised with us.