We are holding a programme of engagement with our stakeholders, including dental professionals and the public, to explore new ways of setting standards and providing guidance for the dental team.

You can get involved by attending one of our events where we will test our current thinking on what a new model of guidance could look like and listen to alternative ideas. You can also share your thoughts and feedback through our short and dedicated survey.

The Standards for the Dental Team is over ten years old and it is time for it to be reviewed. Through this review we want to make sure that how we set out our expectations of dental professionals is up to date and is effective at driving professional behaviour and enabling good decision-making. Our research has shown that a more principles-focussed model of guidance can offer greater flexibility to dental professionals to exercise their professional judgement in treating patients. We therefore want to start a conversation with our stakeholders, including dental professionals and patients, about the best way to provide standards and guidance that will be an improvement to the current model centred around the Standards for the Dental Team.

By listening to and working with stakeholders, we want to find the best model of guidance. We also want to understand the pace needed for any change and the information and support required by the professions before we make a change.

On this section of the website, you can: 

• learn more about all the work we have done so far in relation to this work, including an alternative example model of standards and guidance
• register for one of our upcoming events about exploring new ways of setting standards and providing guidance
• take part in a short survey to share your thoughts and feedback on the current model of guidance, our example alternative model of guidance, and any ideas you may have about the direction of travel
• watch recordings of the events delivered