The General Dental Council (GDC) released this statement after it was made aware of last week’s special conference by a group of local dental committees (LDCs).
‘The GDC is aware of a confidence motion that was debated at a special conference of the LDCs on Friday 5 December 2014.
‘The key function of the GDC is patient protection.
‘Patients expect dental treatment to be conducted in a safe environment and by a trained professional, and if they have a concern about that dental treatment the GDC will investigate it quickly and efficiently.
‘The very large increase in complaints received by the GDC – 110% over the last three years – has necessitated a significant increase in the registration fees paid by dentists (ARF).
‘The additional income will be used to ensure that we continue to deal effectively with complaints in the public interest.
‘It is disappointing that the LDCs have chosen to go down this route and it is of extreme concern to the GDC that they are construing this ARF increase as potentially having an impact on patient access to dental services.
‘This unfounded and inflammatory stance will do nothing but worry patients unnecessarily.
‘The GDC is anxious to engage constructively with the dental profession to understand more about the causes of complaints and to do what can be done to stop them arising in the first place.
‘We hope that the LDCs, and other professional groups, will take the opportunity to join in these discussions, which will begin early in the New Year.’
