GDC Opens New Specialist List In Special Care Dentistry, UK

Main Category: Dentistry
Article Date: 03 Oct 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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The General Dental Council opened its new Specialist List in special care dentistry on 1 October 2008.

Special care dentistry is concerned with improving the oral health of individuals and groups in society who have a physical, sensory, intellectual, mental, medical, emotional or social impairment or disability or, more often, a combination of a number of these.

During a two-year "transitional period" (to 30 September 2010), interested dentists can apply to join the list on the basis of their specialist training, qualifications and experience. After that period, UK applicants will need to hold a Certificate of Completion in Specialist Training to join the list.

Dentists wishing to join the new list can download the application pack from the GDC website (http://www.gdc-uk.org) or contact the GDC registration team (email assessments@gdc-uk.org or phone 020 7344 3741).

The GDC holds 13 Specialist Lists. The purpose of them is to reassure the public that those using the title 'Specialist' have demonstrated they have met standards approved by the GDC for entry to the lists. Only dentists on the lists are entitled to use the title 'Specialist'.

Notes

1. The opening of the Special Care Dentistry list follows a major review of the Specialist Lists and wide consultation.

2. The Specialist Lists indicate registered dentists who meet certain conditions and are entitled to use a specialist title. A dentist does not have to be entered onto a Specialist List to carry out the practice of any particular specialty; but may only use the title 'Specialist' if they are on the list.

General Dental Council