New dental schools may be established, says GDC
The regulator has published new guidance for education providers.
The General Dental Council (GDC) has indicated that new dental schools may be established in the UK.
“With the current focus on addressing dental workforce challenges across the UK, we’re seeing increased interest from education providers wishing to establish new dental schools,” said Stefan Czerniawski, Executive Director of Strategy at the GDC.
In response, the GDC has has published new guidance for education providers to assist them in applying for Dental Authority Status (DAS), a prerequisite for offering dental degree programmes that lead to a registrable degree in dentistry in the UK.
The GDC developed its new guidance in collaboration with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). Reviewed by the Privy Council and the Dental Schools Council, the guidance document explains the timescales and requirements for applying, including the submission process.
A UK dentistry graduate can only register as a dentist with the GDC if he or she holds a bachelor’s degree in dental surgery from a programme awarded by an institution that holds DAS. DAS is a legal status described in the Dentists Act 1984 and awarded to organisations by the Privy Council.