How do i complain about my dentist

If you would like to know more about what we expect from oral health practitioners, have a look at our Standards Framework. The Standards Framework describes the minimum standards of ethical conduct, and clinical and cultural competence that patients and the public can expect from oral health practitioners.

There are three components to the Standards Framework that all registered oral health practitioners must meet:. Our primary obligation is to protect the health and safety of the public.

This includes ensuring that the public is provided with information in which it has an interest. Where the balance is even, we will likely favour public interest, and name the practitioner.

There is no set form of publication. We use whichever method seems best to inform those we believe are most likely to have an interest in the information. For example, it could be a letter to an organisation or individuals, a notice in a community newspaper or on electronic media platforms, or a statement on our website.

If we propose to name a practitioner, we first give the practitioner the opportunity to make submissions on the proposal before making a final decision. Policy on naming practitioners who are the subject of an order or direction made by Council. We may act on anonymous information where the information is considered serious and there are grounds for protecting the disclosure or identity of the informant. We will also consider whether the matter can be progressed while observing the rules of natural justice.

Please note, neither the Dental Council nor the Health and Disability Commissioner have any power to award compensation or require an oral health practitioner to give you a refund. Complaints about fees charged by dental practitioners is not a matter that can be considered by the HDC or by us. ACC may be able to help you with cover for treatment costs, compensation for lost wages, home help assistance, etc.

Telephone If this happens, you can contact the General Dental Council - see below. You can read their inspection reports on their website at www. The standards of the GDC apply to:. If you're thinking of making a complaint about your dental treatment, you may find it helpful to get a copy of your dental records first. Depending on the circumstances, it can be difficult or distressing to make a complaint. Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer. Top links Housing benefit. Top links Template letter to raise a grievance at work.

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Top links Making a will Complaining about social care services What does it mean to have power of attorney? The Dental Complaints Service DCS are a team of trained advisors who aim to help private dental patients and professionals settle complaints about private dental care fairly and efficiently.

You can find out more information on the DCS website or use the contact form. As private patients do not have access to the protections provided by the NHS complaints system, the General Dental Council GDC makes the Dental Complaints Service DCS available to provide a free and impartial mechanism for resolving patient complaints about private dental care. These are complaints that are not serious enough to raise questions about a professional's fitness to practise.

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If you want to complain about poor treatment, the first step is to raise the matter either in person, or by letter with your dentist or practice manager. They may be able to sort it out there and then. If an informal approach doesn't work, ask for a copy of the NHS complaints procedure. Every NHS dental practice must have one.

If you would prefer not to complain directly to the dental practice, you can complain to the NHS in your region. The easiest way to resolve the issue would be to contact the practice, who may be able to resolve this with you straight away. A private dentist should have their own complaints procedure, so if you're not satisfied after an informal approach you can ask for the complaints procedure.

If you have made a formal complaint to the private dental practice and the issue has still not been resolved, you can contact the Dental Complaints Service DCS who can help resolve complaints about private dental treatment.