The General Dental Council (GDC) has launched a consultation on proposals to replace the Standards for the Dental Team with a new Framework for Professionalism.
The Framework for Professionalism will make a major contribution to the delivery of the GDC’s 2026-2028 strategy, particularly its first objective to support dental professionals to provide safe and effective care for their patients. It would be one of the primary means by which that commitment is being put into practice.
Based on extensive research and stakeholder engagement, the current Standards document, introduced in 2013 and known as the ‘silver book’, was considered to be overly prescriptive, potentially limiting dental professionals’ ability to use their judgement in real-world clinical situations. Designed to make it easier for dental professionals to apply professional judgement confidently in practice, the proposed framework aims to fix that.
The new approach replaces the Standards for the Dental Team with four Principles of Professionalism, supported by Expectations, statutory Professional Guidance, and practical resources such as case studies, blogs and videos. Unlike the current model, the supporting material will support dental professionals to apply the framework to practice and can be updated quickly to respond to changing needs.
The GDC is clear that the proposals are not about changing the expectations on dental professionals to ensure patient safety and public confidence in the professions. The aim is to make it easier to apply professional judgement confidently in practice, in patients’ best interests.
Stefan Czerniawski, Executive Director of Strategy at the GDC, said: “We want to regulate in a way that promotes learning over fear and protects patient safety by focusing on what makes things go right.
“This consultation marks a big step towards making regulation work better for dental professionals and their patients, with a new approach which is simpler, clearer and more accessible. In place of detailed rules, there are four clear principles, which are supported by expectations and guidance designed to help professionals to apply their judgement with confidence.
“The proposals are important and we look forward to hearing responses to the consultation from everybody with an interest in dental regulation.”
The Framework has been developed through research, testing and engagement with dental professionals, patients, professional associations, educators and indemnifiers. Legal and operational testing has also been carried out to confirm it would align with existing Fitness to Practise processes.
If approved, the GDC will work with stakeholders to develop supporting material to help dental professionals understand the new framework and apply it in day-to-day practice. Responses to the consultation will play a central role in shaping the final model.
The GDC will host engagement sessions for dental professionals and stakeholder organisations throughout the consultation period.
The consultation is available on the GDC’s website in English and Welsh as an online survey, with downloadable versions for those who prefer to respond by e-mail or post. The consultation is open to dental professionals, patients and the wider public across the UK, and runs until 31 August 2026.
