General Dental Council Still To Finalise Guidance On Non-surgical Cosmetic Procedures

Main Category: Dentistry
Article Date: 09 Oct 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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The GDC's Standards Committee will be continuing its work on GDC guidance on dental professionals carrying out non-surgical cosmetic procedures, including Botox, at its meeting this month. The Council aims to have the final guidance available later this year.

Duncan Rudkin, Chief Executive and Registrar of the General Dental Council, said: "It was clear from feedback we received that there were some concerns about how registrants would implement the initial guidance practically. In light of that, the Council has decided to further develop the guidance into something more usable for registrants and stakeholders.

"Until then, registrants choosing to offer Botox or other non-surgical cosmetic procedures should note that the GDC expects the same high standards of them, whatever the type of treatment they are carrying out. In particular, they are advised to work within their knowledge and professional competence and be prepared to back up the decisions they make. Careful thought also needs to be given to maintaining professional standards in relation to advertising these services, and to the need to be indemnified."

The guidance on non-surgical cosmetic procedures was the result of the GDC's public consultation on the scope of practice of the dental team earlier this year. The consultation sought views on what different groups of professionals could do as part of their work and what would be valid additions to conventional dentistry.

General Dental Council