The General Dental Council (GDC) is considering allowing ‘direct access’ for patients to members of the dental team other than dentists and wants to hear views on the subject.

At the moment, both the Standards guidance and Scope of practice make it clear that every member of the dental team must work on the prescription of a dentist. The only exception to this is with clinical dental technicians, who are able to provide full dentures to patients who have no teeth without the need for a prescription.

The GDC is now considering whether to remove this requirement and to allow ‘direct access’ for all patients. This would mean that patients could see other members of the dental team without seeing a dentist first, for example a dental hygienist or therapist.

A Task and Finish Group will ensure that any decision made is based on robust evidence. The Task and Finish Group wants to hear from as many stakeholders as possible and a short ‘call for ideas’ questionnaire has been published on the GDC's website www.gdc-uk.org.

The results from this call for ideas will be analysed and considered by the Direct Access Task and Finish Group at a meeting on 2 July 2012.