Where we are now

In order to allow sufficient time for the full impact analysis of the proposals to be undertaken, The GDC has decided that the issue will now be considered by the Council at its meeting on 22nd. September.

Consequently we still have time to express our feelings on this matter to the Council and if we are complacent and do nothing we may wake up on 23rd. September to find we have lost our right to use of the title 'Doctor'.

There are two important issues for the Council to consider when deciding on how to vote on this matter. One being the impact a decision to implement a ban would have on the status of the profession, as dentists try to explain to their patients why they should no longer be called 'Doctor'. The second, the impact on the credibility of the Council if they implement a ban which they may find themselves unable to enforce.

The genie is out of the bottle

It is amazing that, after all these years, the GDC is still smarting from being persuaded to amend their guidance to allow dentists to use the courtesy title 'Doctor' back in 1995.

The Council's position then was that use of the title 'Doctor' would confuse patients and it appears to be unchanged. Rather than confuse patients, I would maintain that use of the title 'Dr.' helps patients understand the dentist's role as leader of a team of Dental Care Professionals. With around 50% of dentists graduating being women, their use of the title 'Dr.' helps patients distinguish them from the hygienists, therapists and dental nurses who are also involved in their dental care. It also helps patients understand the depth of knowledge and understanding that a dentist has acquired during their years of training.

A whole generation of dentists will have been using the title 'Dr.' since they qualified and will be somewhat bemused by the fact that the GDC is still of the view that they should revert to being 'Miss', 'Ms', or 'Mr' so as not to confuse their patients!

I think it highly unlikely that dentists using the title 'Dr.' will cease to do so no matter what the GDC might decide at the completion of its consultation. Once the genie is out of the bottle it is difficult to persuade it to return!