This Order amends the Dentists Act 1984 (“the Act”).

Article 1 provides for the other articles of the Order to come into force on days specified by the Secretary of State and for the notification of such days.

Articles 3 and 4 amend the provisions of the Act relating to the constitution of the General Dental Council (“the Council”) and its statutory committees. Article 3 amends section 1 of the Act so as to provide for Her Majesty by Order in Council to make provision with respect to the constitution of the Council. Article 4 amends Schedule 1 to the Act in relation to the composition of the Council, replacing the provisions in paragraphs 1 to 5 (which made detailed provisions as to the constitution of the Council and its committees) with new provisions setting out the principles and restrictions to be observed when making Orders in Council.

Article 5 abolishes the Education Committee as a statutory committee of the Council.

Article 6 amends section 2 of the Act to provide for the establishment of an additional committee of the Council, the Continuing Professional Development Committee.

Article 7 amends provisions of Schedule 1 to the Act which deal with committees of the Council.

Article 8 inserts new sections 34A and 34B into the Act establishing new requirements as to continuing professional development throughout a dentist’s professional career. The Council will be able to make rules prescribing the training and development to be undertaken by registered dentists and those seeking restoration to the register. A dentist shall not be entitled to retain his name on the register unless he complies with the prescribed requirements.

Article 9 inserts a new Schedule 3A into the Act setting out the procedures to be followed by the Continuing Professional Development Committee in deciding whether to erase a person’s name from the register, and when they are to refer a matter to the Preliminary Proceedings Committee or to the Health Committee.

Article 10 provides for consequential amendments as a result of the new requirements about continuing professional development.