The General Dental Council (GDC) has announced that professional online hearings will be made permanent following a public consultation.

The move follows the successful implementation of remote hearings. The data shows that 87 per cent (443) of the 508 substantive hearings held between January 2022 and May 2024 were conducted remotely, with 13 per cent (65) in-person or hybrid.

The policy will take effect from April 1, 2025, to allow for guidance for all independent committees at the hearings service to be developed and for monitoring processes to be put in place.

Stefan Czerniawski, executive director of strategy at the GDC, said, "The decision to make remote hearings permanent reflects the clear benefits observed over the past few years. While maintaining our commitment to fairness and public protection, remote hearings have demonstrated reduced stress, significant cost savings, and improved accessibility for participants.

“Dental professionals retain the right to request in-person hearings and the GDC will normally agree with any requests made. We will continue to ensure our processes serve both the public and the profession effectively."

Feedback from the profession

Guidance for panellists will be adjusted in response to the feedback from the consultation on the format of hearings conducted between November 2023 and February 2024. It found that most respondents agreed that remote hearings were effective.

Respondents mostly agreed that there had not been any significant issues relating to remote hearings, and that most requests for an in-person hearing had been accepted.

There was some disagreement on how decisions should be made and whether it was reasonable to ask the dental professional to request an in-person hearing.

Under the new policy, dental professionals will retain the right to request an in-person hearing, which the GDC has said will be granted in most cases. The regulator also said it maintains the right to request in-person proceedings where appropriate. Where there is no consensus between parties, an independent panel will provide direction through a preliminary meeting.

In-person hearings will continue to be available in cases deemed more appropriate.

The Dental Defence Union (DDU) has said it is disappointed with the decision. John Makin, head of the DDU, said, “We are disappointed by the GDC’s decision. While we don’t dispute that in many instances, a remote hearing is preferable for all parties, we believe it is wrong for it to be a default position. Dental professionals are already under considerable pressure when responding to allegations being made and to first have to make a case for an in-person hearing, will add to their distress.

“We note the GDC explains that dental professionals will retain the right to request an in-person hearing. At the DDU we will continue to advocate for members at the GDC, requesting an in-person hearing wherever we think this will be in their best interests. We will hold the GDC to their promise that such requests will be granted in most cases.”

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