We welcomed the opportunity to respond to the General Dental Council’s consultation on new guidance for decision makers at the Initial Assessment and Assessment stages of its fitness to practise process.
We broadly welcomed the proposed guidance and its aim of supporting fair, consistent and proportionate decision-making, while identifying areas where greater clarity would strengthen its legal accuracy and application. In particular, we recommended clearer guidance on dishonesty, discrimination and freedom of expression, public confidence, health concerns and the thresholds for progressing cases.
We also welcomed the attention given to equality, discrimination, harassment and victimisation, while recommending further steps to improve accessibility and ensure decisions affecting people with disabilities are based on the evidence in individual cases rather than assumptions.
Read our full response below.