The General Dental Council regulates the dental profession by setting standards that must always be attained, registering all appropriately qualified professionals, providing training and CDP (as well as approving training providers) and taking enforcement measures against those who act outside of the law. A rigorous and robust inspection regime is in place.
Operating UK wide, the GDC regulate Dentists, clinical dental technicians, dental hygienists, dental nurses, dental technicians, dental therapists and orthodontic therapists. It is illegal to operate in any of these fields in the UK without first being successfully registered with the GDC.