1(1)The Dentists Act 1984 is amended as follows.U.K.
(2)In section 1 (constitution and general duties of the General Dental Council)—
(a)after subsection (1) insert—
“(1ZA)The over-arching objective of the Council in exercising their functions under this Act is the protection of the public.
(1ZB)The pursuit by the Council of their over-arching objective involves the pursuit of the following objectives—
(a)to protect, promote and maintain the health, safety and well-being of the public;
(b)to promote and maintain public confidence in the professions regulated under this Act; and
(c)to promote and maintain proper professional standards and conduct for members of those professions.”;
(b)omit subsection (2)(b) (and the word “and” immediately preceding it).
(3)In section 27A (powers of the Investigating Committee in respect of registered dentists), after subsection (3) insert—
“(3A)In deciding whether to issue a warning or advice under subsection (2) or give a direction under subsection (3), the Investigating Committee (or any panel by which the function is exercisable as mentioned in section 2(6A)) must have regard to the over-arching objective.”
(4)In section 33 (the dental profession: supplementary provision relating to fitness to practise cases), after subsection (5) insert—
“(5A)In exercising a function under section 27B, 27C or 28, a Practice Committee (or any panel by which the function is exercisable as mentioned in section 2(6A)) must have regard to the over-arching objective.”
(5)In section 36O (powers of the Investigating Committee in respect of registered dental care professionals), after subsection (3) insert—
“(3A)In deciding whether to issue a warning or advice under subsection (2) or give a direction under subsection (3), the Investigating Committee (or any panel by which the function is exercisable as mentioned in section 2(6A)) must have regard to the over-arching objective.”
(6)In section 36W (professions complementary to dentistry: supplementary provision relating to fitness to practise cases), after subsection (5) insert—
“(5A)In exercising a function under section 36P, 36Q or 36R, a Practice Committee (or any panel by which the function is exercisable as mentioned in section 2(6A)) must have regard to the over-arching objective.”
(7)In section 53 (interpretation), after subsection (3) insert—
“(3A)References in this Act to the over-arching objective are to the over-arching objective of the Council under section 1(1ZA) (read with section 1(1ZB)).”
Commencement Information
I1Sch. para. 1 in force at 26.9.2016 by S.I. 2016/906, reg. 2(b)