The GDC's indemnity consultation, which focuses on dental professionals' requirement to make sure they have adequate and appropriate insurance cover, is now underway.

The GDC already requires all dental professionals to ensure that patients are able to claim compensation for any harm caused by dental treatment that they may be entitled to.

There are three possible ways that professionals can make certain that they have adequate cover: insurance, discretionary indemnity and NHS indemnity. As a further safeguard, the GDC is looking to use new powers to make legally binding rules about 'adequate and appropriate insurance'.

The indemnity consultation can be completed online. See www.gdc-uk.org. The consultation will close on Friday March 6 2009.