GDC Hearings & Fitness to Practise for Dental Professionals
Facing a GDC Hearing? Specialist Defence for Dental Professionals
A GDC hearing is a fitness to practise hearing held by the Dental Professionals Hearings Service (DPHS), the independent adjudication service that decides fitness to practise cases referred by the General Dental Council (GDC). At a GDC hearing, an independent practice committee decides whether a dental professional's fitness to practise is impaired and, if so, what sanction to impose on their registration.
At Regulation Resolution, we are specialist regulatory defence solicitors who represent dentists, dental therapists, dental nurses, hygienists and other dental professionals facing GDC investigations and hearings. The majority of our clients are able to continue practising or to limit the impact on their registration. The earlier you contact us, the stronger the case we can build on your behalf.
What Is The GDC And What Happens At A GDC Hearing?
The General Dental Council (GDC) is the UK statutory regulator for dentists and dental care professionals. At a GDC hearing, an independent practice committee at the Dental Professionals Hearings Service examines the concerns raised, decides whether the facts are proved, whether your fitness to practise is impaired, and what sanction, if any, is needed to protect the public.
The GDC investigates and refers cases, while the Dental Professionals Hearings Service adjudicates them independently. Concerns can reach a hearing after investigation by the GDC and a referral by its case examiners. At the hearing you have the right to be represented, to give and challenge evidence, and to make submissions on the facts, impairment and sanction.
What Are The Stages Of A GDC Fitness To Practise Case?
A GDC fitness to practise case follows a set sequence, and only a minority of concerns reach a hearing. Understanding each stage helps you respond effectively and prepare targeted evidence at the earliest opportunity.
- Initial assessment - the GDC assesses the information received and decides whether the concern raises an issue affecting patient safety or public confidence that requires investigation.
- Investigation (assessment stage) - the GDC gathers evidence, which may include clinical records, expert clinical advice and, where relevant, police or medical reports. You will usually be invited to comment.
- Case examiners - two case examiners (one lay, one dental) review the evidence and decide whether to close the case, agree undertakings, issue a warning, or refer the matter to a hearing.
- Hearing before a practice committee - if referred, an independent practice committee at the Dental Professionals Hearings Service decides the facts, whether your fitness to practise is impaired, and any sanction.
At any stage, the Interim Orders Committee can restrict your registration temporarily while the case is investigated. Specialist representation from the outset helps ensure your account is presented clearly and persuasively at every stage.
What Sanctions Can A GDC Hearing Impose?
If a GDC practice committee finds your fitness to practise impaired, it can impose one of a range of outcomes, from taking no action through to erasure (removal) from the register. The committee chooses the least restrictive sanction that protects patients and maintains public confidence in the dental professions.
| Sanction | What it means |
|---|---|
| No action | The committee takes no further action on your registration, even where impairment is found. |
| Reprimand | A formal, published record that your conduct fell below the expected standard; you can keep practising without restriction. |
| Conditions on registration | You keep practising subject to specific, measurable conditions, usually reviewed before they expire. |
| Suspension | Your registration is suspended, so you cannot practise for the period ordered; usually reviewed before it ends. |
| Erasure (removal) | Your name is removed from the register and you can no longer practise. You cannot apply for restoration until at least five years have passed. |
A practice committee may also impose an immediate order to cover the period before any appeal. Our specialist regulatory defence solicitors make focused submissions on sanction to secure the least restrictive outcome available in your case. Source: General Dental Council, fitness to practise sanctions (gdc-uk.org).
Where Can I Find The GDC Hearings List?
The official GDC hearings list is published by the Dental Professionals Hearings Service, which lists upcoming hearings and past decisions for dental professionals. You can view current and forthcoming cases, including hearing dates and outcomes, on the Dental Professionals Hearings Service website.
Many people search for the "GDC hearings list" or "GDC upcoming hearings" to check whether a case is listed, to follow a decision, or because they have been notified that their own case is being referred. Hearings are generally held in public, and determinations are published, which is one reason a well-prepared defence matters so much.
Facing a GDC hearing yourself? If your case has been referred to a practice committee, the way it is prepared and presented can be decisive. As specialist GDC defence solicitors, we represent dental professionals at every stage, from the GDC investigation and any interim orders hearing through to the substantive hearing and any appeal.
Can I Appeal A GDC Decision?
Yes. If a GDC practice committee makes a substantive decision against you, you can appeal to the High Court (or the Court of Session in Scotland, or the High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland). The appeal must normally be filed within 28 days of the decision being served, so it is essential to take specialist advice immediately.
On appeal, the court can dismiss the appeal, quash the decision, substitute a different outcome, or send the case back to a fresh committee. Because the time limit is short and appeals turn on points of law and procedure, the strongest opportunity to influence the outcome is usually at the hearing itself, with focused evidence and submissions prepared in advance.
Some orders, such as conditions or suspension, are reviewed before they expire, and you can put forward evidence of remediation at that review. Where your circumstances change, an early review can sometimes be requested.
How Else Can Regulation Resolution Help Dental Professionals?
GDC proceedings rarely arrive in isolation. Alongside representation at hearings, our specialist regulatory defence solicitors act across the full range of fitness to practise and related matters that can affect your registration and career.
- Interim orders hearings - representation where the GDC seeks to restrict your registration before the final hearing. Read our interim orders hearings guide for how these work.
- Investigation and case examiner stage - preparing your comments and observations before a case is referred to a hearing.
- Reviews of existing orders - presenting evidence of remediation to lift or reduce conditions or a suspension.
- Restoration applications - advising professionals removed from the register on applying to rejoin after the minimum period.
- Parallel proceedings - coordinating your GDC response with any linked employer investigation, inquest or police matter, so nothing said in one forum undermines you in another.
Clear And Fixed Fees From The Start
Facing a GDC hearing is stressful enough without worrying about unpredictable legal bills. We offer clear, upfront pricing tailored to your case, so you understand the cost of your defence before you commit. Get in touch for a free introductory conversation about your options.
GDC Hearings: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a GDC hearing?
A GDC hearing is a fitness to practise hearing held by the Dental Professionals Hearings Service, where an independent practice committee decides whether a dental professional's fitness to practise is impaired and, if so, what sanction to impose. The General Dental Council investigates and refers the case; the hearing service decides it independently.
What are GDC cases and how do they reach a hearing?
GDC cases are concerns about a dental professional's conduct, competence or health that the GDC investigates. After investigation, case examiners (one lay, one dental) decide whether to close the case, agree undertakings, issue a warning, or refer it to a practice committee for a hearing. Only a minority of cases reach a hearing.
Where can I find the GDC hearings list?
The official list of GDC hearings and decisions is published by the Dental Professionals Hearings Service at dentalhearings.org. It shows upcoming hearing dates and past determinations for dental professionals. Hearings are generally held in public and the outcomes are published.
Do I have to attend my GDC hearing?
You are not compelled to attend, and a practice committee can proceed in your absence. However, attending and being represented is strongly in your interests: it lets you give evidence, respond to questions and demonstrate insight, all of which the committee weighs when deciding impairment and sanction.
Can I keep working while my GDC case is ongoing?
Usually yes. You can continue working while the GDC investigates unless an interim order has been imposed. The Interim Orders Committee can restrict or suspend your registration during an investigation if there is a serious or immediate risk, so early specialist advice is important.
Do I need a solicitor for a GDC hearing?
You are not required to have a solicitor, but specialist representation significantly strengthens your position. A GDC hearing can result in conditions, suspension or erasure, and the way facts, impairment and sanction are addressed can be decisive. The majority of our represented clients keep practising or limit the impact on their registration.
Why Choose Regulation Resolution For Your GDC Hearing?
Written by Jonathan Meadows, Solicitor and Managing Director, reviewed July 2026.
We take a proactive, strategic approach to defending careers threatened by GDC fitness to practise proceedings. As specialist regulatory defence solicitors, the majority of our clients are able to continue practising or to limit the impact on their registration.
Every case is different, so we build a tailored defence strategy around your circumstances, never a template. We can represent you at each stage, from the GDC investigation and any interim orders hearing through to the substantive hearing before a practice committee and any appeal.
If you are a dentist or dental care professional facing GDC action, you can also read more about how we help on our GDC defence service page.
Contact Regulation Resolution today for a confidential consultation and let us protect your registration, your reputation and your career.
Please call us now on 0208 088 5161 or complete our contact form here and we will be in touch to help you.