Busy Times for the College of General Dentistry
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- Published: Thursday, 17 July 2025 09:47
- Written by Peter Ingle
- Hits: 619
It has been a busy time for the College of General Dentistry (CGDent), and for those in the profession asking themselves exactly what the college does, there is some important news.
The College’s representative Council has now published Our mission and vision for dentistry on its website which seeks to define the College’s role and characterise its values and ways of working. The document describes the College’s vision for dentistry over the coming decade, and sets out its ambitions both for patients and public health, as well as delivery of care and the whole dental team’s professional development.
The College is also keen to contribute to the development of public policy to address the many challenges facing the sector, and the mission document shows how CGDent expects to influence the future of oral healthcare, including the manner in which it is delivered.
Much of the document will come as no surprise. The College sees itself as: “Patient-centred and empowering, authoritative and independent, respectful, inclusive and supportive, consultative, collaborative, consensus building effective and accountable, ethical, innovative and agile.”
For members, the College aims to help them continuously improve their professional performance. This is done, for the benefit of patients and in the interests of their safety.
The document does shed some light on where CGDent fits into the plethora of organisations seeking to set the tone and direction of dentistry in the UK: “We have a role which is complementary to but wholly distinct from that of the statutory regulatory and licensing body for all dental professionals (the GDC). Similarly, we do not play the same role as the purely representative bodies for specific dental professionals or as a trade union. Each has a vital role to play in the best interests of patients and the public in healthcare delivery in the UK. We work with mutual respect and transparency with other entities, in support of any common objectives but with the interests of patients and good oral health as our primary concerns.”
In the last part of the statement CGDent return to their ultimate ambition: “We aim to create a Royal College of General Dentistry that in time will take its place in the estimation and trust of the public alongside other Royal medical colleges.”
As part of their progress towards this objective, in a further statement, CGDent have announced that they have been granted Arms by Letters Patent. The Grant of Arms has been made under Crown authority by the College of Arms, the heraldic authority for England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Coming less than four years since CGDent opened its doors to members, it is another milestone on the way to fulfilling the College’s aspirations to be incorporated under Royal Charter, and to create a Royal College for dental professionals.
The Grant includes a Coat of Arms, Crest and Badge, which will soon start to be incorporated into the College’s certificates and awards, publications and a re-designed logo.
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