Decision to make remote hearings permanent is a setback, says Dental Protection
NewsPosted by: Dental Design 6th December 2024
Dental Protection has called the decision by the General Dental Council (GDC) to permanently move dental professional hearings online starting 1 April 2025 a setback.
In its consultation response earlier this year, Dental Protection had urged the GDC to safeguard the option for dental professionals to choose in-person hearings in the interests of fairness and justice.
Raj Rattan, Dental Director at Dental Protection said: “The effectiveness of virtual hearings compared to in-person hearings is nuanced and influenced by numerous psychological factors. Although virtual hearings offer convenience, they lack the nonverbal depth essential for accurately evaluating attributes such as credibility and sincerity.
“However, we will support our members including those who are neurodivergent or struggle with mental health to apply for, and benefit from an in-person hearing where they have access to a support network.”
