About us
The Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) is a registered charity and is based at
The Royal College of Surgeons of England in central London.
Our aim is to support 'high street' dentists (also called general dental practitioners or GDPs) and all other dental team members (known as dental care professionals or DCPs) in the UK to provide the highest standards of dental care for patients.
We do this by:
- encouraging dental professionals to continue their education and training after they get their initial qualification in dentistry
- developing guidance for dental professionals on standards in different areas of dentistry
- providing postgraduate qualifications for dental professionals which show that they have a higher level of skills and knowledge (see Qualifications and training)
- supporting research in the dental practice to help improve patient care
- involving patients in the work of the FGDP(UK) through the Lay Advisory Group.
You can find out more about what the FGDP(UK) does below and by visiting About the FGDP(UK) in the main section of the website.
You can also download the FGDP(UK) prospectus
My dental professional is a member of the FGDP(UK) – what does this mean?
The FGDP(UK) is a membership organisation. By joining the FGDP(UK) your dental professional has shown a commitment to provide you with the best possible care and to achieve the highest standards in their work.
Many dental professionals become a member of FGDP(UK) so that they can improve their knowledge and skills, and so that they can get the best guidance on how to develop their career.
| The FGDP(UK) is the 'academic home' for all members of the dental team. It supports dental professionals in their efforts to achieve excellence in their work. |
Our members get regular updates on the work of the FGDP(UK) and can become involved in the development of new standards in different areas of dentistry. They may also come along to FGDP(UK) study days and can read about the latest research in our journals.
FGDP(UK) members and non-members may also choose to improve their knowledge and develop extra skills by studying for an FGDP(UK) qualification. Visit the Qualifications and training section where you can find out what it means if your dental professional has a particular qualification. You can also find out what qualification letters and other abbreviations in dentistry stand for in the Dental abbreviations section.
Those below can all apply to become members of the FGDP(UK):
- Qualified dentists
- Dental nurses
- Dental hygienists
- Dental therapists and orthodontic therapists
- Dental technicians and clinical dental technicians
- Students
Dental practice managers and receptionists can also apply for a subscription service from the FGDP(UK).
To find out what each of these dental professionals do, visit the Frequently asked questions section. You can also read about how different dental professionals are trained and the types of qualifications they can study for in the Qualifications and training section.
The main pages of the FGDP(UK) website also contain useful information on how the FGDP(UK) supports the education and career development of dental professionals – see the Career Pathway, Education and training, Examinations and assessment and Dental care professionals.
What we don't do
The FGDP(UK) does not regulate dental professionals or deal with complaints or concerns about dentists or other dental team members. These are the responsibilities of the General Dental Council (GDC).
Also, we can't offer advice on dental treatment and we can't recommend a dental professional. We would always suggest that you first talk to your dental professional about your treatment. If you still have concerns or you would like further advice, there are several organisations that may be able to help you. Visit the Organisations in dentistry section to find out more.
| It is a good idea to check whether your dental professional has any extra qualifications and what they mean. It may also be helpful to ask whether he/she is a member of the FGDP(UK) – this is one way of showing that they are dedicated to providing the highest standards of care for their patients. |
The FGDP(UK) supports dental professionals that work in 'high street' practices – known as 'general dental practice' or 'primary care practice'. Our sister Faculty, the Faculty of Dental Surgery, supports dentists who work in hospitals – known as 'specialists' or 'secondary care dentists'.
More on patients and the FGDP(UK)
The patient section of our website has lots more information that you might like to read:
 Patients and the FGDP(UK)
Find out about the Lay Advisory Group – the voice of the patient in the FGDP(UK).
Qualifications and training in dentistry
See how a dentist or dental team member can continue training after getting their basic qualification. Also, look up the letters that may appear after the name of a dental professional and find out what they mean.
Articles and reports
Read FGDP(UK) articles that have appeared in the press and other reports and documents that may be interesting to patients.
Organisations in dentistry
Find out about other organisations and groups in dentistry
Dental abbreviations
Find the definition for dental abbreviations.
Frequently asked questions
Look up the answers to common questions on dentistry and the training and education of dental professionals.
Links to other websites
Links to sources of dental information on the web.
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