The GDC--lifting the lid. Part 1: Professionalism and standards

The General Dental Council (GDC) began life as a committee of the General Medical Council before becoming the sole regulatory body for the dental profession over 50 years ago. In that time, although the nature of its role in providing protection to the public has remained essentially the same, the environment in which it has had to operate has changed remarkably. In an attempt to help the GDC explain and clarify their work for the benefit of readers, the BDJ invited them to write a series in their own words describing their work, philosophy and plans for the future. This first part outlines some of the dilemmas faced over maintaining standards.