New General Dental Council (GDC) standards for the dental profession came into force on 30 September 2013. The new standards place a much stronger focus on patients' expectations and entitlements.

The standards were developed by the GDC following intensive consultation with patients and the public.

Standards for the dental team replaces Standards for dental professionals and includes nine key principles such as 'put patients' interests first' and 'raise concerns if patients are at risk'. New issues addressed in the document include an emphasis on being fluent in written and spoken English, greater emphasis on 'softer skills' and new requirements to display indicative prices for treatment.

The GDC has also updated its Scope of practice guidance to reflect recent decisions on direct access and the new standards. For dental nurses, the wording on the application of fluoride varnish has been amended to take account of direct access; for orthodontic therapists IOTN screening has been added; for dental hygienists and dental therapists the Scope now includes being able to treat patients directly, carrying out clinical examination and diagnosis within their scope of practice, and the inclusion of the care of implants and treatment of peri-implant tissues in core skills; for dental therapists direct restorations now includes secondary teeth; there is clarity that dental technicians can see patients direct to repair dentures; and there is an amendment for clinical dental technicians of providing complete dentures direct to patients to include prescribing the dentures.

The full Standards and Scope of practice documents can be found at: www.gdc-uk.org/Dentalprofessionals/Standards/Pages/standards.aspx.