Professional Indemnity
All GDC registrants are required to make sure there are adequate and appropriate arrangements in place so that patients can claim any compensation they may be entitled to.
The GDC is looking at the options for strengthening or expanding the guidance it already gives in Standards for dental professionals.
What type of cover can I have?
Our priority is that patients who suffer damage should be able to recover any money they might be entitled to through compensation, in the event of a successful claim. It is up to you to decide which method of cover would be the most appropriate to suit your needs.
The only types of cover recognised by the GDC are:
- Dental defence organisation membership – either your own membership or cover provided by your employer’s membership,
- Professional indemnity insurance held by yourself or your employer, and
- NHS/Crown indemnity.
If you are relying on arrangements made by your employer, you have a responsibility to check the indemnity position with them. Don’t make any assumptions about whether or not you are covered by your employer's arrangements - always check as you will have to provide proof of your cover if a patient decides to make a claim against you, or in the event that a complaint about your fitness to practise is made to the GDC.