GDC relents over dentists’ addresses
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- Published: Wednesday, 27 July 2016 15:14
- Written by News Editor
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The General Dental Council (GDC) has decided not to display any location details for registrants as part of planned reforms to its public register. Vicki Holden, the leading advocate for change, told GDPUK: “This is a really positive result for the profession which will protect the privacy of the registrants whilst maintaining public protection. Many thanks to everyone who supported this initiative along the way”.
GDPUK said: “Well done to Victoria Holden for leading the campaign and over 2,000 supporters who signed the petition which was delivered to the GDC.”
Petition created by Victoria and backed by the Dental Community can be found here
GDPUK news story which has followed the story as it has progressed.
Details of the consultation and the report which can be found on the GDC website including the in depth report.
Thread on GDPUK forum which gives further background and opinion on the news.
In its recent consultation, the GDC received 2,534 individual responses, 74% of which backed offering no location information on the public register - a view endorsed by 59% of the 538 respondents from its Patient Panel. The updated rules will have to be formally approved at the GDC’s October Council meeting, and the change will come into effect shortly thereafter.
Additional information from GDC
Commenting on the decision, Ian Brack, Chief Executive of the General Dental Council, said: "It was a significant decision by Council to move away from publishing dental professionals' full address details.
"The GDC has listened to views and has taken a proportionate decision. The decision not to include information about a professional's registered address brings us in line with other professional healthcare regulators, balancing our role in protecting the public with the need to treat dental professionals fairly, whilst protecting their personal information.
"The registration number will become the primary identifier of registration status, so particularly important for dentists and dental care professionals to start to display it appropriately."
At their next meeting in October, the Council will approve changes to key documents which will formally allow us to make this change. Shortly after that, all addresses will be removed from the online register.
The full consultation response will also be published shortly.
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