userfiles/Picker Study-Dec2012-MA-FINAL.pdf

PRESS RELEASE
19 December 2012
GDC publishes new findings on quality assurance in dentistry
The General Dental Council (GDC) has published a report evaluating the quality assurance
and performance management of dentists in the UK.
The study, which is the first of its kind, includes a representative survey based on the
experience of 498 dentists in the last year.
The findings included:
• 92% of dentists have carried out CPD in the last year;
• 75% of dentists have participated in clinical audit;
• 56% of dentists have been involved in a review of complaints and compliments; and
• 55% of dentists have been involved in personal development planning in the last year.
Peer Review was in more limited use across the UK, with 29% of dentists having participated
in the last year.
The full report explores the extent of participation in performance management and quality
assurance in dentistry. It compares and contrasts results from each of the four countries of
the UK, and general and specialist practice. The report also considers how these systems
may support dentists to meet GDC standards.
The study was based on a random sample survey of dentists on the GDC’s register, in-depth
interviews and a literature review. It assessed the extent to which 11 performance
management tools, currently in operation across the UK, could support dentists to maintain
and improve their practice.
The report concludes that participation in CPD, personal development planning, reviews of
significant events, reviews of complaints and compliments, case based discussion, and multi
–source feedback could contribute to enabling the GDC to make decisions about the
continuing fitness to practise of registrants.
The full report can be found here: http://www.gdcuk.org/Aboutus/Researchandconsultations/Pages/Revalidation-research.aspx
As part of the GDC’s on-going review of its CPD requirements a consultation is currently
running asking for views on the proposals to update our mandatory CPD scheme. Anyone
wishing to take part should visit www.gdc-uk.org/haveyoursay
Ends
For media enquiries, please contact Moira Alderson on 020 7344 3726 or malderson@gdcuk.org
Notes to editors:
General Dental Council, 37 Wimpole Street, London W1G 8DQ
Tel: +44 (0)20 7344 3726 Email: pressoffice@gdc-uk.org www.gdc-uk.org

Picker Institute Europe undertook the evaluation on behalf of the GDC between July
and November 2012.
The survey population was the GDC database of all registered dentists, excluding
those without email addresses.
The survey comprised 498 respondents, representing a response rate of 12%. The
overall margin of error +/-6.5%.
The findings of this study will inform, as appropriate, the GDC’s decisions about future
policies and procedures, including continuing fitness to practise (sometimes referred to
as revalidation).
The GDC is currently running a public consultation on its proposals for new continuing
professional development requirements for all GDC registrants. This also contributes
to the GDC’s assurance of continuing fitness to practise policies.
General Dental Council, 37 Wimpole Street, London W1G 8DQ
Tel: +44 (0)20 7009 2784 Email: pressoffice@gdc-uk.org www.gdc-uk.org