The General Dental Council has invited professionals to comment on a proposal to make all practice committee and registration appeal committee hearings remote by default.

According to the GDC, 90 per cent of its hearings are already held remotely.

The regulator stressed that dental professionals would still be able to request in-person hearings.

John Cullinane, executive manager of the Dental Professionals Hearings Service, said, “We think there are considerable benefits to holding hearings remotely, not least savings in travel and accommodation costs, but also reductions in lost hearing days due to travel disruptions and increased participation from those who find it difficult to be away from home.

“Since we started holding most of our hearings remotely, we have introduced additional support for all hearing participants by providing specific guidance on attending a remote hearing and introducing a participant support officer to address the challenges that these types of proceedings may present.

“Our view is that the process for deciding the format of hearings has been working well, and that we can now realise the benefits for all parties by making the process permanent.”

John Makin, head of the DDU, in response to the announcement, said, “In many instances, a remote hearing is preferable for all parties, but we believe it is wrong for it to be a default position. It should not be necessary for a dental professional wanting an in-person hearing to first make a case for that when they are already under the considerable pressure of responding to the allegations being made.

“The arrival of remote hearings in regulatory and judicial proceedings is still relatively new and the GDC needs more time collate the evidence before proposing such a far reaching, permanent change.

“For example, how would such a change impact dental professionals with sensory impairments or who cannot access appropriate technology? And what about complex cases where the facts are contested and it is necessary to call a number of witnesses?

“Making this change would also put the GDC at odds with the approach taken by other healthcare regulators and in criminal and civil cases.

“We hope the GDC will reconsider these proposals. The consultation is open until February 12 and we encourage dental professionals to review the proposals and respond with their views on this important issue.”

For more information visit https://www.gdc-uk.org/about-us/what-we-do/consultations-and-responses/#hearings

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