It is a requirement of the General Dental Council that all GDC registrants are covered against allegations of negligence arising from their professional duties. Dental nurses play a vital supporting role in the patient’s clinical journey and unfortunately things can sometimes go wrong.
Not only can a dental nurse find themselves the unwanted center of attention with an incoming patient complaint, but as with indemnity claims against other dental professionals, negligence claims can lead to full GDC Fitness to Practise Hearings, conditions being imposed on your registration, possible suspension from practise or even lead to permanent erasure from the register.
GDC investigations can also arise from non-clinical related issues such as allegations of poor attitude towards the patient, breach of confidentiality plus things that might arise outside of the practice, such as non-disclosed motoring convictions or other minor criminal convictions.