General Dental Council (GDC): Impact of Covid-19 on dental professionals

We were commissioned to explore the impact and future implications of Covid-19 for dental professionals and dental businesses. The aim of this study was to see how dental professionals’ perceptions, experiences, and impact of Covid-19 were evolving. Specific objectives were to understand the ongoing nature and evolution of Covid-19’s impact on registrants’ financial circumstances, mental health, ability to provide public services, perceptions on what the public’s use of dental services, and views on what would work best to help the industry recover.

The methodology comprised an online survey of over 2,000 registrants and complemented with qualitative focus groups and depth interviews. Responses were weighted to align to the GDC register, and statistical testing was undertaken to identify differences by respondent sub-group.

The GDC used our report to review measures put in place, to work with stakeholders to develop a longer-term roadmap for the dental sector to plot a route forward, including managing similar situations in the future, and to review ways to manage the public’s expectations in a high-demand environment.