The General Dental Council (GDC) has published its revised Scope of Practice guidance after a comprehensive review and collaboration with oral healthcare professionals, education providers, indemnifiers, and other key stakeholders.

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The updated guidance will take effect on 1 November 2025.

The revised guidance has not changed the scope of practice for any of the seven dental professional titles. Rather, it provides greater clarity on existing title boundaries. The guidance will better support dental professionals to use their professional judgement within these boundaries for the benefit of patients.

The GDC has reminded oral healthcare professionals that having a professional title does not automatically mean they can or should do everything within that title's scope. They must be trained, competent and covered by indemnity or insurance before carrying out any task that falls within their professional title's scope.

Ross Scales, Head of Upstream Regulation at the GDC, said the revised Scope of Practice guidance represents the invaluable contributions from and engagement with the dental sector to date, reflecting the feedback the regulator has received.

‘Our aim has been to provide the clarity and support that dental professionals have called for, allowing them to work to their full scope and use their professional judgement to put patients first.

‘We are grateful to all those who contributed to this review, and we look forward to supporting the professions in understanding and applying the revised guidance.'