GDPUKforum, Prestwich (2026)

07/09/2026

Could a change to NHS treatment plans offer dental practice owners greater protection against clinical negligence claims?

The updated FP17DC makes it clearer which clinician is responsible for a patient’s treatment – potentially providing important evidence when liability is disputed.

But the change doesn’t remove every legal risk for practice owners.

Healthcare lawyers explain what the new wording could mean in practice.

In April, changes were made to the NHS standard form provided to patients that could help practice owners when faced with a solicitor's letter. Bethan Parry and Alice Webb, partner and paralegal at Browne Jacobson LLP, explain why

07/09/2026

Could this be a turning point for the GDC?

There is cautious optimism among some senior figures in dentistry that the regulator has an opportunity to rebuild trust with the profession.

Yet the legacy of prolonged fitness-to-practise cases, concerns over costs and years of strained relations cannot be overcome quickly.

GDPUK asks whether confidence in the GDC really is improving – and what still needs to change.

Despite a turbulent past, the General Dental Council is striving to become a better and more trusted regulator, and improve confidence among the profession. But as GDPUK finds investigations are taking up to nine years to process, experts tell us they have a difficult task ahead. Sophie Borland repo...

06/09/2026

Is confidence in the GDC beginning to improve?

After years of criticism from across the dental profession, there are signs that the regulator is listening and that attitudes may be changing.

But concerns remain, particularly around lengthy fitness-to-practise investigations and how registrants’ fees are spent.

GDPUK examines whether the relationship between dentists and their regulator is finally beginning to improve.

Despite a turbulent past, the General Dental Council is striving to become a better and more trusted regulator, and improve confidence among the profession. But as GDPUK finds investigations are taking up to nine years to process, experts tell us they have a difficult task ahead. Sophie Borland repo...

05/09/2026

More funding for urgent dental care should be welcome news. But when the overall financial envelope remains unchanged, shifting money around inevitably creates winners and losers.

The latest NHS dental contract changes could even leave some practices running out of UDAs months before March 2027.

Peter Ingle looks at the unintended consequences of reform – and why, after 20 years, the UDA system is still with us.

Changes to the dental contract in England prioritised urgent care. But, with the total financial envelope remaining the same, something has to give. Peter Ingle looks at how the UDA system means there will always be losers

04/09/2026

Twenty years after its introduction, the UDA system remains at the heart of NHS dentistry – despite years of criticism and repeated promises of reform.

Now the latest contract changes could create a new problem: practices running out of UDAs before the end of the financial year.

Peter Ingle examines why the UDA remains the contract that simply “won’t die” – and what the latest changes could mean for practices and patients.

Changes to the dental contract in England prioritised urgent care. But, with the total financial envelope remaining the same, something has to give. Peter Ingle looks at how the UDA system means there will always be losers

01/09/2026

NHS dental activity increased again in 2025/26, but the latest figures show treatment levels have still not recovered to their pre-Covid position.

While courses of treatment rose for both adults and children, the figures have prompted contrasting reactions from dental leaders. The BDA argues the data underline the need for fundamental reform of NHS dentistry, while the ADG has pointed to the growth in activity as a positive sign.

So, is NHS dentistry finally recovering – or do the numbers reveal just how much ground remains to be made up?

NHS dentists in England delivered around 6% more courses of treatment for adults and 7% more for children, but activity has not yet caught up with pre-pandemic levels yet, new official data reveals

01/09/2026

Can “supportive material” remain simply supportive when it is being provided by the regulator bringing Fitness to Practise cases?

That is one of the key questions surrounding the GDC’s proposals to introduce written material for those making decisions in Fitness to Practise proceedings.

The issue goes beyond terminology. It touches on the independence of decision-makers, the fairness of the regulatory process and the safeguards available to dental professionals whose careers may depend on the outcome.

GDPUK takes a closer look at the potential implications.

The GDC consultation on its new standards document might be taking a conciliatory tone, but Peter Ingle asks whether dentists need to be even more on their guard

31/08/2026

NHS dental activity in England increased in 2025/26, with practices delivering around 6% more courses of treatment for adults and 7% more for children.

However, the 37.6 million courses of treatment delivered during the year remain below the 39.7 million recorded in 2018/19.

The BDA says the figures show NHS dentistry has still not “bounced back” and has renewed its call for fundamental reform, while the ADG has welcomed the increase in activity.

NHS dentists in England delivered around 6% more courses of treatment for adults and 7% more for children, but activity has not yet caught up with pre-pandemic levels yet, new official data reveals

28/08/2026

The GDC’s proposed “supportive material” for Fitness to Practise decision-makers might sound relatively uncontroversial.

But the plans raise a much bigger question: where is the line between helping independent decision-makers and potentially influencing the decisions they reach?

With a dental professional’s registration and livelihood potentially at stake in Fitness to Practise proceedings, the independence and fairness of the process are critical.

GDPUK examines the proposals and asks whether this is genuinely a helping hand – or a regulatory Trojan horse.

The GDC consultation on its new standards document might be taking a conciliatory tone, but Peter Ingle asks whether dentists need to be even more on their guard

27/08/2026

Dentists who discover an error in a previous tax return could face significantly tougher penalties if they fail to put it right under proposed new HMRC rules.

Draft legislation would introduce a general duty to take “reasonable steps” to correct inaccuracies once taxpayers become aware of them. Failure to act could result in an error being treated as deliberate for penalty purposes.

And the responsibility doesn’t necessarily disappear if the original mistake was made by an accountant or adviser.

We look at what the proposals could mean for dental practice owners and self-employed associates.

Stricture measures will be coming into force that could see practice owners and associates facing financial penalties. Stephen Lynch reports

GDPUKforum

07/09/2026

07/09/2026

06/09/2026

05/09/2026

04/09/2026

01/09/2026

01/09/2026

31/08/2026

28/08/2026

27/08/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Listing takedown request