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I am a leading medical and healthcare defence barrister, acting for a range of dental practitioners in all matters relating to their fitness to practise before the General Dental Council (GDC).  

Recent testimonials

Mr McCaffrey and his team are beyond excellent.. I cannot thank them enough for their sheer dedication, expertise and efforts which went above and beyond their call of duty in my case.

Due to their hard work and I am now back to work and I cannot thank Stephen McCaffrey enough for his support during my difficult and traumatic time.

Quite frankly, the service they provide is extremely good value. I am sincerely grateful to both of them and cannot recommend them highly enough.

My case was dealt with speed and efficiency, highly recommend the service provided by Stephen McCaffrey

I represent and advise a range of dental practitioners before the General Dental Council, including:

• Dentists
• Dental therapists and dental hygienists
• Dental nurses
• Dental technicians
• Clinical dental technicians
• Orthodontic therapists
• Oral and maxillofacial surgeons

I act for dentists and other dental practitioners from both the NHS and private sector who work in across the UK (England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland).

Any dentist or dental practitioner facing proceedings before any General Dental Council (GDC) committee, must seek specialist legal advice at the earliest opportunity for the best outcome.  Because of my experience in the criminal courts and other adversarial tribunals my special expertise is at contested hearings. However good strategy has meant that more often my clients are not even reaching that stage of proceedings.

Contact me today for an initial free and no obligation consultation on 0207 060 1983 or Stephen.McCaffrey@kingsviewchambers.com.

General Dental Council (GDC) Disciplinary Process

All dentists and dental practitioners are expected to work to the fitness to practise standards set by the General Dental Council (GDC).  Where the GDC receives complaints or concerns about the fitness of a dentist or dental practitioner to practise, they will investigate the complaint and may decide to instigate formal disciplinary procedures.

The GDC Investigating Committee is responsible for investigating allegations to assess grounds and evidence and decides whether it should be considered by one of the fitness to practise committees:

1. Professional Performance Committee
2. Health Committee
3. Professional Conduct Committee

The Investigating Committee can also deicide to issue an interim order which can result in an interim suspension or conditional registration. Sanctions available are either an ‘interim suspension order’ for up to 18 months or an ‘order for interim conditional registration’ for up to 18 months.

If at the conclusion of the investigation the Investigating Committee is of the view that sufficient evidence is available investigation is required, it will refer the matter to one of the fitness to practise committees listed above, depending on the nature of the complaint or allegation.

If one of the fitness to practise committees concludes that a dentist or dental practitioner’s fitness is not impaired, it can give a warning or advice regarding future conduct.  If, however, a fitness to practise committee has found that a dentist or dental practitioner’s fitness has been impaired it can issue one of the following sanctions:

• removal from register (only by Professional Conduct Committee);
• registration suspended for up to 12 months;
• conditional registration for up to 3 years;
• suspension/conditional registration may be extended at a later date.

If the investigating committee concludes there is no case to answer, it will close the investigation and may provide advice or issue a warning.

Contact me today

If you have been notified by the General Dental Council (GDC) that you’re under investigation or are facing difficulties with your registration, contact me today for an initial free and no obligation consultation on 0207 060 1983 or Stephen.McCaffrey@kingsviewchambers.com

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