The General Dental Council (GDC) has been highly praised for its efforts in protecting the public by the UK’s leading healthcare watchdog.
In its review of the GDC (released today), the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE) commended the GDC for being "a highly effective and well managed regulator with a consistent focus on public protection and a commitment to continuous improvement".
GDC president Hew Mathewson welcomed the CHRE review and said the findings show that the organisation is on "the right track" with its work in protecting the public.
"The GDC has implemented some major changes over the past couple of years to enhance patient protection," he added.
"We've introduced registration for some 40,000 dental nurses and dental technicians and other professionals, enhanced our fitness to practise procedures, launched the Dental Complaints Service and rolled out continuing professional development requirements to the whole dental team."
However, the GDC head was quick to warn against complacency. "The report highlights some areas where we need to improve, and I'm pleased to say we have already started work on them."
"Our goal is to offer a better and more efficient and service to all those who contact us. We are looking forward to the challenges ahead," he concluded.
