The British Dental Association has said an unprecedented show of unity reflects the depth of feeling across dentistry as professional bodies and specialist societies come together to sign an open letter calling for the next General Dental Council chair to be a registrant.
From dental nurses to dental therapists, the letter signed by bodies representing almost all the regulator’s registrant group, specialist bodies from gerodontology to perio, and the full spectrum of NHS, private, routine and cosmetic dentistry. The letter lands as applications for the new chair close.
Tom Whiting
Chief Executive
General Dental Council
sent by email
24 February 2025
Selection of the next GDC Chair
Dear Tom,
We write as the representative bodies covering the full spectrum of the dental sector, working across all fields of practice.
We note that Chair Lord Toby Harris is not seeking a second term of office. We can take some comfort that his term has not repeated the mistakes of his predecessor, Dr Bill Moyes, who left trust and confidence among registrants on the floor.
However, real gains made since 2021 cannot make up for lost ground.
Lord Harris has left a long lead time to ensure the right process is in place for selection of a successor. We want the right person for this role, and so we are united that the next Council Chair must be a registrant.
Rebuilding trust is a journey, not a final destination. We want to ensure your next Chair can bring knowledge, insight, and empathy from the coalface to the task ahead.
Yours sincerely,
Eddie Crouch, Chair, British Dental Association
Dr Rhian Jones, President, British Association of Oral Surgeons
Dr Fiona Sandom, Chair, British Association of Dental Therapists
Dr Robbie Lawson, President, British Orthodontic Society
Shiyana Eliyas, President 2024-25, British Society of Prosthodontics
Simon Thackery, President, British Association of Private Dentistry
Professor Nicola West, President, British Society of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry
Deborah Bomfim, President, British Society for Restorative Dentistry
Dr Sam Jethwa, President, The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
Preetee Hylton, President, British Association of Dental Nurses
Mili Doshi, Chair, British Society of Gerodontology