General Dental Council
If you are under investigation by the General Dental Council (GDC), benefit from Cartwright King’s experience of successfully defending dentists accused of misconduct.
Our specialist and experienced GDC lawyers offer sound legal advice, doing everything possible to protect you, your practice, your career and your reputation. Don’t delay, get in touch now to speak to our specialist Dental Lawyers and plan your defence strategy.
How Cartwright King’s Dental Lawyers Can Help
Cartwright King offers fast, efficient and effective legal advice when you are faced with a GDC investigation. A quick response is crucial to your case to avoid potential restrictions on your right to practice and to ensure that the GDC follows correct protocols when investigating you.
Our specialist solicitors scrutinise the evidence against you, in detail, and monitor the investigation to ensure that you’re treated fairly. Here’s what our GDC lawyers can do for you:
- Advise you in relation to NHSE investigations, including Practitioner Performance Advice (PPA) referrals, Performance Assessment Group (PAG) meetings and Performers List Decision Panel (PLDP) hearings
- Advise you on criminal investigations in relation to suspected illegal practice
- Advise you on professional registration issues
- Provide specialist advice during initial referral and investigation
- Prepare written responses to Case Examiners
- Represent you at Interim Order hearings
- Represent you at Professional Conduct Committee hearings
- Represent you at review hearings
- Advise you on appealing against a GDC decision
Speak to a Specialist Solicitor Immediately
If you suspect that you are going to be investigated, or you are already under investigation by the GDC, get in touch with a specialist Cartwright King Dental Lawyer immediately.
There is no substitute for speaking to one of our specialist solicitors to get the right advice, ensuring that you are on the front foot when facing an investigation.
For immediate action, call us or email us for an initial discussion.
The discussion is completely informal and confidential, and is an opportunity for us to:
- Get to know you
- Understand your situation
- Advise you on legal fees
- Agree how you want to proceed
Why Choose Cartwright King GDC Solicitors?
You want your case to be in the hands of trusted and experienced GDC solicitors. Cartwright King’s specialist lawyers offer you a balance of legal know-how and personal service to ensure that you’re empowered to protect your interests when under close scrutiny.
We listen, we understand and we care about what happens to you. That’s why we offer sound, reliable legal advice to ensure that you understand your rights when you’re under investigation.
Working with a specialist Cartwright King solicitor gives you the assurance of having access to legal counsel who will advise you at every stage of your case. We know that GDC investigations can be damaging personally and financially. That’s why we will do everything we can to clear you of wrongdoing or minimise any action against you.
We’re committed to defending your legal rights, your dental career and your practice, ensuring that you’re treated fairly and with respect throughout your case. When you need us most, we’ll be there to offer sound, sensible legal advice and sure guidance.
We’re a trusted, resourceful Legal 500 top tier law firm with specialist solicitors that are calm under pressure, giving you defence counsel that you can count on.
Legal Fees
Legal fees will be charged in accordance with the work required for your case. Costs will be agreed with you before any work starts and you will be given clear information detailing the cost commitment.
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Frequently asked questions.
What does a General Dental Council investigation involve?
The GDC will review a complaint made against you and determine whether it warrants an investigation. If the complaint is serious, the GDC will gather evidence to support its case against you. They will take statements from witnesses and yourself.
The GDC has the power to force people with relevant information to disclose it as part of their investigation. You may be asked to provide radiographs, patient records and other information deemed relevant to your case.
How long does a GDC investigation take?
GDC investigations can take months depending on obtaining evidence to support their case against you. If your case is referred for a hearing, this takes place in two stages. The first part is an enquiry into the facts alleged. This enquiry can take a few hours or may take days, depending on the circumstances of your case.
The second stage of the hearing involves an independent committee reviewing the facts to determine if any misconduct has occurred. If it is deemed that misconduct has occurred, the GDC will then decide on the appropriate action to take against you.
What are the likely outcomes of a GDC investigation?
There are several potential outcomes of a GDC investigation:
- The facts of your case are not proved and any evidence of misconduct is unsatisfactory, which means no further action will be taken.
- You are found guilty of misconduct and face one of four sanctions:
- A reprimand – this does not restrict your right to continue practicing as a dentist, but it may harm your reputation
- Conditional practice order – this restricts certain activities that you may perform while practicing
- Suspended registration – this prohibits you from practicing for a period of time
- Struck off – this prohibits you from practicing as a dentist entirely
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