Arora review: Could there be lessons for the GDC too?

Dental Protection updates members on the relevant work it has done to respond to the independent review of the Dr Arora case. 

After outrage amongst the medical profession over the decision to suspend Dr Arora in response to allegations that the doctor had lied in order to obtain a laptop, the General Medical Council (GMC) commissioned an independent review of the case. The review led by Professor Iqbal Singh and Martin Forde KC published its findings in November 2022 which included 18 recommendations to the GMC, including trying to resolve complaints locally and much sooner when possible.

Whilst the GMC and the General Dental Council (GDC) are distinct regulatory authorities, Dental Protection believes that some of the findings could be relevant for the GDC.

In December 2022, we wrote to the GDC to share the specific recommendations that we felt applied to them. Among the recommendations that we highlighted to the GDC were the need to consider if the support given to registrants during a fitness to practise investigation was appropriate and how it assures itself that decision making is fair and unbiased.

The GDC responded positively to our letter agreeing to discuss the possible lessons that could be learned from the review. We will continue to engage with the GDC to highlight ways in which dental regulation can be improved.