GDC welcomes Which? call for greater clarity around dental costs

The GDC’s ‘Standards for the dental team’, launched in September 2013 and which all dental professionals must follow, has this issue as one of its key principles.

It is essential for patients to be given clear information about pricing and options for NHS or private treatment and the GDC expects that dentists will provide this.

Standard 2.4 states: “You must give patients clear information about costs.” Failure to clearly display a price list in surgeries or to communicate effectively with patients about their treatment options can lead to disciplinary proceedings being taken by the GDC.

The GDC has seen a steady increase in cases since its 2013 standards came into effect:

2012 - 33
2013 – 98
2014 - 114

The GDC actively encourages patients to ask questions of their dental professionals and sets out what they can expect in its ‘Smile’ leaflet.

It is unfortunate, however that Which? has inaccurately stated in its article that the GDC has yet to implement all of the recommendations made by the OFT in 2012. This is incorrect – all of the recommendations are reflected in the ‘Standards for the dental team’, that took effect in 2013.

Throughout 2015 the GDC will be working with both patients and dental professionals to further clarify exactly what patients can expect of their dental professional.