Somewhere else to turn

From the ARF collection period in summer 2016, dental professionals applying to join or renew their registration must confirm they have indemnity in place (or will have by the time they start practising). The GDC might ask for further information so it is important to know the details of any policy or dental defence membership.

All dental professionals applying for restoration to the register are now required to provide evidence of their indemnity or proposed indemnity. The GDC will set out exactly what information is required.

GDC guidance states all members of the dental team, including nurses, ‘must have appropriate arrangements in place for patients to seek compensation if they suffer harm’ (paragraph 1.8, Standards for the Dental Team).