Course Details

• This course provides information on how to respond effectively and professionally when faced with a General Dental Council (GDC) fitness to practise investigation.
• You will be presented with a short presentation followed by an assessment.
• If you achieve a score of 80% or more, you pass the course and will receive a certificate to place in your CPD folder. If you do not pass, you will have the opportunity to review the content and retake the assessment when you feel confident to do so. 

Aims

This course aims to reassure GDC registrants and provide clear, practical guidance on how to respond effectively and professionally when faced with a General Dental Council (GDC) fitness to practise investigation.

Objectives

During this course learners will be able to:

• Describe the purpose, statutory basis and overarching objectives of the General Dental Council (GDC).
• Outline the stages of the GDC fitness to practise (FtP) process, from initial notification to potential outcomes.
• Identify what immediate steps to take when receiving correspondence from the GDC, including gathering records and notifying indemnity providers.
• Explain the role of Interim Orders Committees and recognise situations in which urgent risk-based action may be taken.
• Understand how clinical advice reports, drafted allegations and registrant observations contribute to case assessment.
• Differentiate between potential outcomes at the Case Examiner stage, including no further action, advice, warnings, undertakings and referral to a Practice Committee.
• Describe the structure of a Practice Committee hearing and the types of sanctions that may be applied.
• Recognise the importance of insight, reflection, targeted CPD, and remediation in demonstrating current fitness to practise.
• Identify the support available from defence organisations, mentors and mental-health services during an FtP investigation.
• Apply practical strategies to maintain professionalism, wellbeing and compliance throughout an ongoing GDC investigation.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, learners will be able to:

• Explain the statutory role of the GDC and its overarching objective to protect the public.
• Summarise each stage of the fitness to practise (FtP) process, including initial notification, investigation, Case Examiner review and potential hearing.
• Demonstrate an understanding of what immediate actions are required upon receiving a GDC enquiry, including record collation and contacting indemnity providers.
• Recognise when and why an Interim Orders Committee may be convened, and describe the possible interim outcomes.
• Interpret the purpose of clinical advice reports and the significance of drafted allegations within the investigatory process.
• Evaluate the importance of insight, reflection, targeted CPD and remediation in influencing FtP decisions.
• Differentiate between the potential outcomes of Case Examiner decisions, including advice, warnings, undertakings and referral to a Practice Committee.
• Describe the structure, function and possible sanctions of a Practice Committee hearing.
• Identify sources of professional, legal and mental-health support available to registrants undergoing FtP investigations.
• Apply practical strategies to maintain compliance, professionalism and personal wellbeing during an investigation.

GDC Development Outcomes

A,C,D

Topics covered