The way forward

We can learn a lesson from history here. The situation in 1995 was that a large number of dentists were openly using the title 'Dr.' in defiance of the GDC's guidelines and indeed many had written to the GDC stating that they were using the title 'Doctor' in their practices. The Council realised that if they did not vote to remove the prohibition, it would have to take legal action against the dentists who were in breach of its guidelines, which would be both impractical and financially prohibitive.

The situation now is somewhat different in that a very large proportion of dentists are now legally using the title. I have spoken with a large number of younger dentists who have been using the title since qualifying and the general consensus of opinion seems to be that they have no intention of ceasing to use the title, whatever the Council might decide.

We need to make it abundantly clear to the GDC that if they do vote to implement a ban, dentists will ignore it and continue in their use of the title 'Doctor'. The Council would then find themselves in the embarassing position of being practically and financially unable to act against those dentists openly flouting it's guidelines.

Oh No! I've just remembered........

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