Response to the General Dental Council’s consultation on revisions to Guidance for case examiners, and to the Undertakings bank for case examiners

In our response to the GDC's consultation, we welcomed the opportunity to comment on the draft guidance for case examiners and updated undertakings bank. The guidance contains new information for case examiners on a number of areas, and we are pleased to see that it addresses discrimination and harassment, particularly as this is an area where we have identified weaknesses in the approach taken by the GDC during our reviews of their performance.

However, we did highlight in our response areas where we have some concerns about these two elements being considered under the same sub-heading, and suggest that dealing with them separately would result in clearer and more comprehensive guidance.

We also expressed concerns over the GDC’s proposed approach to the publication of undertakings and warnings, which we do not believe gives sufficient weight to the principle of open justice. In our view, ensuring that decisions are transparent and accessible is a key means by which confidence in regulators, and regulatory processes, is maintained. 

Read our full response to find out more (you can download it from the bottom of this page).