Dentists Act 1984

Type Public General Act
Publication 1984-06-26
Last updated 2025-01-01
State In force
Department Statute Law Database
articles Not indexed
Reform history JSON API
  • (7) The Council may appear as respondent on any appeal under this section; and for the purpose of any order as to costs (or, in Scotland, expenses) in relation to any such appeal the Council shall be deemed to be a party to it, whether they appear on the hearing of the appeal or not.
36T
  • (1) This section applies to—
  • (a) a direction given by the Professional Conduct Committee under section 36I(3) for erasure of a person’s name from the dental care professionals register under all titles under which he is registered in that register;
  • (b) a direction, in relation to a particular title, for erasure, suspension, conditional registration or variation of or addition to the conditions of registration given by a Practice Committee under section 36P or 36Q; and
  • (c) a direction, in relation to a particular title, for conditional registration given by the Professional Conduct Committee under section 36R(6)(b).
  • (2) A direction to which this section applies shall take effect—
  • (a) where no appeal under section 36S is brought against the decision giving the direction within the period of time specified in subsection (3) of that section, on the expiry of that period;
  • (b) where such an appeal is brought but is withdrawn or struck out for want of prosecution, on the withdrawal or striking out of the appeal; or
  • (c) where such an appeal is brought and is not withdrawn or struck out for want of prosecution, on the dismissal of the appeal.
  • (3) Where the period of time for appealing against a decision giving a direction is extended under section 36S(4)—
  • (a) subsection (2) shall apply to the direction as if the reference in paragraph (a) of that subsection to the period of time specified in section 36S(3) were a reference to that period as so extended, and
  • (b) if the authorisation is given after the expiry of the period of time specified in section 36S(3), the direction shall be deemed not to have taken effect on the expiry of that period,

and any reference in this Act to the time when such a direction takes effect in accordance with this section shall be construed accordingly.

  • (4) In this section—
  • (a) a reference to a direction for suspension includes a reference to a direction extending a period of suspension and a direction for indefinite suspension; and
  • (b) a reference to a direction for conditional registration includes a reference to a direction extending a period of conditional registration.
36U
  • (1) On giving a direction, in relation to a particular title, for erasure or for suspension under section 36I(3), section 36P(7)(a) or (b) or section 36Q(2)(d) or (3) in respect of any person, the Practice Committee giving the direction, if satisfied that to do so is necessary for the protection of the public or is otherwise in the public interest, or is in the interests of that person, may order that his registration under that title shall be suspended forthwith in accordance with this section.
  • (2) On giving a direction, in relation to a particular title, for conditional registration under section 36P(7)(c), section 36Q(1)(c) or (5)(c) or section 36R(6)(b) in respect of any person, the Practice Committee giving the direction, if satisfied that to do so is necessary for the protection of the public or is otherwise in the public interest, or is in the interests of that person, may order that his registration under that title shall be made conditional forthwith in accordance with this section.
  • (3) Where, on the giving of a direction, an order under subsection (1) or (2) is made in respect of a person, his registration in the dental care professionals register under the title in question shall, subject to subsection (6), be suspended or made conditional, as the case may be, from the time when the order is made until the time when—
  • (a) the direction takes effect in accordance with section 36T;
  • (b) an appeal under section 36S against the decision giving the direction is determined under section 36S(6)(b) or (c); or
  • (c) following a decision on appeal to remit the case to a Practice Committee, the Practice Committee dispose of the case.
  • (4) Where a Practice Committee make an order under subsection (1) or (2), the registrar shall forthwith serve on the person in respect of whom it is made notification of the order and of his right to make an application under subsection (7).
  • (5) Where a Practice Committee make an order under subsection (1) or (2) in respect of a person, and an interim order under section 36V in respect of that person has been revoked by virtue of section 36P(10), that revocation shall take effect, subject to subsection (6), from the time when the order under subsection (1) or (2) is made.
  • (6) If, when an order under subsection (1) or (2) is made, the person in respect of whom it is made is neither present nor represented at the proceedings, subsections (3) and (5) shall have effect as if, in each case, for the reference to the time when the order is made, there were substituted a reference to the time when notification of the order is served under subsection (4).
  • (7) A person in respect of whom an order under subsection (1) or (2) is made may apply to the court for an order terminating any suspension imposed under subsection (1) or any conditional registration imposed under subsection (2), and the decision of the court on any such application shall be final.
  • (8) In subsection (7) “the court”—
  • (a) in the case of a person whose address in the dental care professionals register is in Scotland, means the Court of Session;
  • (b) in the case of a person whose address in that register is in Northern Ireland, means the High Court in Northern Ireland; and
  • (c) in the case of any other person, means the High Court in England and Wales.
36V
  • (1) This section applies to the Professional Conduct Committee, the Professional Performance Committee, the Health Committee and the Interim Orders Committee, and any reference in this section to a “Committee” is a reference to any of those Committees.
  • (2) The Interim Orders Committee may exercise functions under this section only in relation to a person whose case has been referred to them—
  • (a) by the registrar under section 36N(5)(b);
  • (b) by the Investigating Committee under section 36O(4A) or (6A); or
  • (c) by a Practice Committee in accordance with rules under paragraph 7(1)(c) of Schedule 4B.
  • (3) A Practice Committee may exercise functions under this section only in relation to a person whose case has been referred to them—
  • (a) by the Investigating Committee under section 36O(4)(a) or (6)(a); or
  • (b) by another Practice Committee in accordance with rules under paragraph 7(1)(a) of Schedule 4B.
  • (4) Where a Committee are satisfied that it is necessary for the protection of the public or is otherwise in the public interest, or is in the interests of the person concerned, for the person’s registration in the dental care professionals register under a particular title to be suspended or to be made subject to conditions, the Committee may make—
  • (a) an order that his registration in that register under that title shall be suspended during such period not exceeding 18 months as may be specified in the order (an “interim suspension order”); or
  • (b) an order that his registration in that register under that title shall be conditional on his compliance, during such period not exceeding 18 months as may be specified in the order, with such conditions so specified as the Committee think fit to impose (an “order for interim conditional registration”).
  • (5) Subject to subsection (11), where a Committee have made an interim suspension order or an order for interim conditional registration they—
  • (a) shall review it within the period of six months beginning with the date on which the order was made, and shall thereafter, for so long as the order continues in force, further review it—
  • (i) before the end of the period of six months beginning with the date of the decision of the immediately preceding review, or
  • (ii) if after the end of the period of three months beginning with the date of the decision of the immediately preceding review the person concerned requests an earlier review, as soon as practicable after that request; and
  • (b) may review it where new evidence relevant to the order has become available after the making of the order.
  • (6) Where an interim suspension order or an order for interim conditional registration has been made under any provision of this section (including this subsection) in relation to a person’s registration in the dental care professionals register under a particular title, the Committee that made the order may, in relation to that title—
  • (a) revoke the order;
  • (b) make an order adding to, varying or revoking any condition imposed by the order;
  • (c) if satisfied that to do so is necessary for the protection of the public or is otherwise in the public interest, or is in the interests of the person concerned, replace an interim suspension order with an order for interim conditional registration having effect for the remainder of the term of the former; or
  • (d) if satisfied that to do so is necessary for the protection of the public or is otherwise in the public interest, or is in the interests of the person concerned, replace an order for interim conditional registration with an interim suspension order having effect for the remainder of the term of the former.
  • (7) If a Committee make an order under any provision of this section—
  • (a) the registrar shall forthwith serve notification of the order on the person to whose registration it relates; and
  • (b) that order shall take effect from the time on which the notification mentioned in paragraph (a) is served.
  • (8) The Council may apply to the court for an order made by a Committee under subsection (4) or (6) to be extended, and may apply again for further extensions.
  • (9) On each such application the court may extend (or further extend) for up to twelve months the period for which the order has effect.
  • (10) Any reference in this section to an interim suspension order, or to an order for interim conditional registration, includes a reference to such an order as so extended.
  • (11) For the purposes of subsection (5) the first review after the court’s extension of an order made by a Committee or after a replacement order made by a Committee under subsection (6)(c) or (d) shall take place—
  • (a) if the order (or the order which has been replaced) had not been reviewed at all under subsection (5), within the period of six months beginning with the date on which the court ordered the extension or on which a replacement order under subsection (6)(c) or (d) was made; and
  • (b) if it had been reviewed under subsection (5), within the period of three months beginning with that date.
  • (12) Where an interim order has effect under any provision of this section in relation to a person’s registration in the dental care professionals register under a particular title, the court may, in relation to that title—
  • (a) in the case of an interim suspension order, terminate the suspension,
  • (b) in the case of an order for interim conditional registration, revoke the order or revoke, vary or add to any condition imposed by the order,
  • (c) in either case, substitute for the period specified in the order (or in an order extending it) some other period which could have been specified in the order (or in the order extending it) when it was made,

and the decision of the court on any application under this subsection shall be final.

  • (13) In this section “the court” has the meaning given by section 36U(8).

Supplementary provisions

36W
  • (1) While a person’s registration in the dental care professionals register under a particular title is suspended by virtue of a direction or order under this Part—
  • (a) he shall be treated, except as provided in subsection (2), as not being registered in that register under that title, notwithstanding that his name still appears in that register; but
  • (b) sections 36N, 36O, 36P and 36Q shall continue to apply to him in relation to that title.
  • (2) While a person’s registration in the dental care professionals register under a particular title is suspended by virtue of a direction or order under this Part, he shall be treated for the purposes of compliance with rules made under section 36Z1 as if his registration were not so suspended.
  • (3) Where any such direction as is mentioned in section 36Q(1)(b), (c) or (d), (2)(b) or (d), (3) or (5)(c) is given in relation to a person’s registration in the dental care professionals register under a particular title while his registration under that title is subject to conditions or suspended by virtue of a direction under this Part, his registration under that title shall continue to be conditional or suspended throughout any period which may intervene between the time when (but for this subsection) his registration under that title would cease to be conditional or suspended, as the case may be, and the time when—
  • (a) the direction takes effect in accordance with section 36T;
  • (b) an appeal under section 36S against the decision giving the direction is determined under section 36S(6)(b) or (c); or
  • (c) following a decision on appeal to remit the case to a Practice Committee, the Practice Committee dispose of the case.
  • (4) If, on the determination of an appeal under section 36S, a direction extending the current period of suspension or conditional registration for a further period takes effect after the time when (but for subsection (3)) the current period of suspension or conditional registration would have ended, that further period shall be treated as having started to run at that time.
  • (5) Subsection (3) is subject to any order made under section 36U(1) or (2).
  • (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.
  • (6) Schedule 4B to this Act (proceedings before the Investigating Committee, the Interim Orders Committee and Practice Committees: dental care professionals) shall have effect.
36X
  • (1) Where a direction or order under this Part for suspension, conditional registration or variation of or addition to the conditions of registration takes effect in relation to a person, the registrar shall make a note in the dental care professionals register of that fact, of the title in relation to which the direction or order is made, and of the period for which that person’s registration is to be suspended or made conditional.
  • (2) The registrar shall erase any note made in accordance with subsection (1) from the dental care professionals register at such time as the direction or order ceases (for any reason) to have effect.
  • (3) In this section—
  • (a) a reference to a direction or order for suspension includes a reference to a direction or order extending a period of suspension and a direction for indefinite suspension; and
  • (b) a reference to a direction or order for conditional registration includes a reference to a direction or order extending a period of conditional registration.
  • (4) Where a direction under section 36I(3) or 36P(7)(a) (direction for erasure from the dental care professionals register) in respect of a person takes effect, the registrar shall remove that person’s name from registration in that register under the title in relation to which the direction is given.
  • (5) Where a decision under section 36I(6)(a) or 36R that a person’s name is to be restored to the dental care professionals register under a title takes effect, the registrar shall restore that person’s name to that register under the title in relation to which the decision is made.
36Y
  • (1) For the purpose of assisting the Council or any of their committees in carrying out functions under this Part, the Council may require a person (“the relevant party”) whose fitness to practise as a member of a profession complementary to dentistry is in question, to provide details of any person—
  • (a) by whom the relevant party is employed to provide services in, or in relation to, any area of dentistry; or
  • (b) with whom he has an arrangement to provide such services.
  • (2) For the purpose of assisting the Council or any of their committees in carrying out functions under this Part in respect of a person’s fitness to practise as a member of a profession complementary to dentistry, the Council may require any person (except the person in respect of whom the information or document is sought) to supply any information or produce any document in his custody or under his control which appears to the Council relevant to the discharge of those functions.
  • (3) Nothing in this section shall require or permit any disclosure of information which is prohibited by any relevant enactment or relevant provision of the UK GDPR .
  • (4) For the purposes of subsection (3)—
  • “relevant enactment” means any enactment other than—this Act, orthe listed provisions in paragraph 1 of Schedule 11 to the Data Protection Act 2018 (exemptions to Part 4 : disclosures required by law);
  • “relevant provision of the UK GDPR” means any provision of the UK GDPR apart from the listed GDPR provisions in paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Data Protection Act 2018 (UK GDPR provisions to be adapted or restricted: disclosures required by law).
  • (5) A person shall not be required to supply any information or produce any document under subsection (2) which he could not be compelled to supply or produce in civil proceedings before the relevant court.
  • (6) In subsection (5) “the relevant court” means—
  • (a) if the person’s address in the dental care professionals register is in Scotland or, if he is not registered in that register, he is resident there, the Court of Session;
  • (b) if the person’s address in that register is in Northern Ireland or, if he is not registered in that register, he is resident there, the High Court in Northern Ireland;
  • (c) in any other case, the High Court in England and Wales.
  • (7) If a person fails to supply any information or produce any document within 14 days of being required to do so under subsection (1) or (2), the Council may seek an order of the relevant court requiring the information to be supplied or the document to be produced.
  • (8) In subsection (7) “the relevant court” means the county court or, in Scotland, the sheriff.
  • (9) In subsection (8) “the sheriff” means the sheriff in whose sheriffdom is situated the address of the person who fails to supply the information or produce the document; and in this subsection, “address” means, where the person is registered, his address in the dental care professionals register, or, where he is not registered in that register, the address where he resides.
  • (10) For the purposes of subsection (4), “enactment” includes—
  • (a) a provision of, or an instrument made under, an Act of the Scottish Parliament;
  • (b) a provision of, or an instrument made under, Northern Ireland legislation; and
  • (c) a provision of subordinate legislation (within the meaning of the Interpretation Act 1978).
  • (11) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
36Z
  • (1) As soon as reasonably practicable after an allegation as to a person’s fitness to practise as a member of a profession complementary to dentistry has been referred to the Investigating Committee under section 36N(5)(a), the Council shall inform the following persons of that fact—
  • (a) the Secretary of State, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland, the Scottish Ministers and the National Assembly for Wales; and
  • (b) any person in the United Kingdom to whom subsection (2) applies.
  • (2) This subsection applies to a person if the Council are aware that he—
  • (a) employs the person concerned to provide services in, or in relation to, any area of dentistry; or
  • (b) has an arrangement with the person concerned for that person to provide such services.
  • (3) The Council or the registrar may disclose to any person any information relating to a person’s fitness to practise as a member of a profession complementary to dentistry, including information relating to an allegation under section 36N, where they consider it to be in the public interest for the information to be disclosed.

Professional training and development requirements

36Z1
  • (1) In relation to each profession, or class of members of a profession, specified in regulations under section 36A(2), rules shall require registered dental care professionals to undertake such professional training and development as may be specified in the rules.
  • (2) Where a person is registered in the dental care professionals register under a title applying to a particular profession, or class of members of a profession, and it appears to the registrar that the person has failed to comply with the requirements of rules under subsection (1) relating to that profession or class, the registrar may erase that person’s name from registration in that register under that title.
  • (3) Where, under subsection (2), a person’s name has been erased from registration under a particular title, that name shall be restored to the dental care professionals register under that title on that person’s application if he satisfies the registrar—
  • (a) of Matter D within the meaning of section 36C; and
  • (b) that he meets the requirements of—
  • (i) section 36L, and
  • (ii) any rules made under section 36Z2 which apply to his case.
  • (4) Rules shall specify the procedures to be followed before the registrar—
  • (a) may, under subsection (2), erase a person’s name from registration in the dental care professionals register under a title; or
  • (b) may, under subsection (3), make a decision whether or not to restore a person’s name to that register under a title.
  • (5) Where, in the course of proceedings under this Part, it appears to the Investigating Committee, a Practice Committee or the Interim Orders Committee that a person to whose registration the proceedings relate may be failing to meet the requirements of rules made under subsection (1), that Committee may refer the question of whether he is failing to meet them to the registrar.
36Z2
  • (1) Rules shall specify the requirements as to professional training and development to be met by a person who seeks the restoration of his name to the dental care professionals register under a particular title following its erasure from registration under that title under any provision of this Part.
  • (2) Rules under this section must not require a person to do anything which amounts to the practice of dentistry.
43A
  • (1) The Council shall maintain a list, in such form as they consider appropriate, of bodies corporate which carry on the business of dentistry.
  • (2) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), a body corporate which carries on the business of dentistry shall, at intervals of no more than twelve months, provide the Council with the information specified in subsection (5).
  • (3) A body corporate which is carrying on the business of dentistry at the time when this section comes into force shall first provide the Council with the information specified in subsection (5) within the period of twelve months beginning with the date on which this section came into force.
  • (4) A body corporate which begins to carry on the business of dentistry after this section comes into force shall first provide the Council with the information specified in subsection (5) within the period of three months beginning with the date on which it begins to carry on that business.
  • (5) The information referred to in subsections (2), (3) and (4) is—
  • (a) the address of the body corporate’s principal office;
  • (b) the names of the directors of the body corporate and the addresses where they are resident;
  • (c) the names of all persons who practise dentistry in the course of the business and the addresses where they are resident;
  • (d) the names of all registered dental care professionals not falling within paragraph (b) or (c) who, in the course of the business, provide services in, or in relation to, any area of dentistry, and the addresses where they are resident; and
  • (e) such further information as may be specified in rules.
  • (6) Rules may specify the form and manner in which the information specified in subsection (5) is required to be provided.
  • (7) The Council may make regulations providing that a fee is payable by a body corporate on each occasion on which that body is required to provide information in accordance with subsection (2), (3) or (4).
43B
  • (1) The registrar may refer to the Professional Conduct Committee for investigation information in his possession which indicates that there may be grounds for imposing a financial penalty under this section.
  • (2) For the purposes of this section, a “relevant requirement” means a requirement for a body corporate to—
  • (a) provide information under subsection (2), (3) or (4) of section 43A;
  • (b) provide such information in the form and manner specified in any rules under subsection (6) of that section; or
  • (c) pay any fee in accordance with regulations under subsection (7) of that section.
  • (3) The Professional Conduct Committee may impose a financial penalty under this section if they are satisfied that a body corporate failed to comply with a relevant requirement.
  • (4) In such a case, a financial penalty may be imposed on—
  • (a) the body corporate concerned;
  • (b) any person who was a director of that body at the time of the body’s failure to comply with the relevant requirement in question; or
  • (c) both that body corporate and one or more persons within paragraph (b).
  • (5) But a financial penalty shall not be imposed on a director or former director of the body corporate if he satisfies the Professional Conduct Committee that, at the time of the body’s failure to comply with the relevant requirement in question, he had taken all reasonable steps to ensure that the body complied with that requirement.
  • (6) A financial penalty imposed under this section—
  • (a) in the case of a body corporate, must not exceed £5,000,
  • (b) in the case of a person within subsection (4)(b), must not exceed £1,000,

and is payable within such period as the Professional Conduct Committee shall specify at the time the penalty is imposed.

  • (7) If it appears to the Council that there has been a change in the value of money since the last occasion when the maximum amount of the financial penalty under subsection (6)(a) or (b) was fixed, whether by this section or by an order under this section, the Council may by order substitute for the sum for the time being specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of that subsection such higher sum as appears to the Council justified by the change.
  • (8) The Council shall publish an order under subsection (7) in such form as they consider appropriate.
  • (9) An order under subsection (7) shall not have effect in relation to any case where the failure to comply with the relevant requirement in question occurred before the order came into force.
  • (10) Where the Professional Conduct Committee determine to impose a financial penalty under this section, the registrar shall forthwith serve on the person on whom the penalty is imposed notification of—
  • (a) the imposition of the penalty;
  • (b) the amount of the penalty;
  • (c) the period within which it is to be paid; and
  • (d) the person’s right to appeal under section 44B against any of the matters notified under paragraphs (a), (b) or (c).
  • (11) Subject to subsection (12), the Council may recover the financial penalty from the person on whom it was imposed if the penalty is not paid within the period specified under subsection (6).
  • (12) A penalty may not be recovered under subsection (11) while proceedings by way of appeal under section 44B(1) are pending, or during the period in which any such proceedings may be brought.
  • (13) The Council shall pay any sum paid as a financial penalty, or recovered under subsection (11), into the Consolidated Fund.
44A

Schedule 3 (proceedings before the Investigating Committee, the Interim Orders Committee and Practice Committees: dentists) applies to proceedings before the Professional Conduct Committee under section 43B or 44 with the following modifications—

  • (a) references to proceedings under Part 3 of the Act shall be read as including proceedings under sections 43B and 44;
  • (b) references to a Committee shall be read as references to the Professional Conduct Committee;
  • (c) in paragraph 1—
  • (i) omit sub-paragraph (1), and
  • (ii) for sub-paragraph (2) substitute—

(2) A “party” to proceedings means— (a) the body corporate; (b) any director or former director of the body corporate against whom the proceedings are brought; or (c) the Council.

;

  • (d) in paragraph 2—
  • (i) omit sub-paragraph (1)(b),
  • (ii) in sub-paragraph (2)(a), for “the person to whose registration the proceedings relate” substitute “the body corporate and any director or former director of the body corporate on whom a financial penalty may be imposed”, and
  • (iii) in sub-paragraph (2)(g), omit “the person (if any) making the allegation and”;
  • (e) omit paragraph 5;
  • (f) in paragraph 6(5), for paragraphs (a) and (b) substitute—

(a) where the body corporate’s principal office is in Scotland, the sheriff in whose sheriffdom that office is situated; and

; and

  • (g) omit paragraph 7.

Appeals relating to financial penalties

44B
  • (1) A person on whom a financial penalty has been imposed under section 43B may, before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which notification of the penalty was served under section 43B(10), appeal to the relevant court against the imposition of the penalty, the amount of the penalty or the period within which the penalty is to be paid.
  • (2) A body corporate on which a financial penalty has been imposed under section 44 may, before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which notification of the penalty was served under section 44(9), appeal to the relevant court against the imposition of the penalty, the amount of the penalty or the period within which the penalty is to be paid.
  • (3) Where—
  • (a) any notification required to be served on a person by section 43B(10) or 44(9) is given by sending it to that person by post, and
  • (b) the registrar is satisfied, on the application of that person, that that person did not receive the notification within the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the Professional Conduct Committee gave the determination to which the notification relates,

the registrar may, if he thinks fit, by authorisation in writing extend the period of time within which an appeal under this section may be brought.

  • (4) In subsections (1) and (2) “the relevant court”—
  • (a) where the principal office of the body corporate is in Scotland, means the Court of Session;
  • (b) where the principal office of the body corporate is in Northern Ireland, means the High Court in Northern Ireland; and
  • (c) where the principal office of the body corporate is in any other place, means the High Court in England and Wales.
  • (5) In subsection (4)—
  • (a) where a financial penalty has been imposed on a body corporate, “the body corporate” means that body; and
  • (b) where a financial penalty has been imposed on a director or former director of a body corporate, “the body corporate” means the body whose failure to comply with a relevant requirement (within the meaning of section 43B) led to the imposition of the financial penalty.
  • (6) Subsections (3) and (4) of section 29 apply to appeals under this section as they apply to appeals under that section with the following modifications—
  • (a) in subsection (3)(c) and (d), omit references to the Professional Performance Committee and the Health Committee; and
  • (b) in subsection (3)(d), for “section 24, 27B, 27C or 28” substitute “section 43B or 44”.
49A

Schedule 4C to this Act (advisers) shall have effect.

50A
  • (1) A notification under this Act which is required to be served on any person may be served, subject to subsections (4) and (6), by—
  • (a) delivering it to that person personally;
  • (b) leaving it at that person’s proper address;
  • (c) sending it by a registered post service; or
  • (d) sending it by a postal service which provides for the delivery of the notification by post to be recorded.
  • (2) For the purposes of this section and of section 7 of the Interpretation Act 1978 (which defines “service by post”) in its application to this section, the proper address of an individual (except in the cases mentioned in subsection (3)) is—
  • (a) his address in the dentists register or the dental care professionals register (or, if he is not registered, the address which would have been shown if he were registered); or
  • (b) his last known address, if that differs from the address mentioned in paragraph (a) and it appears to the person serving the notification that the notification is more likely to reach him at that address.
  • (3) The cases referred to in subsection (2) are those where a notification is required to be served—
  • (a) under section 27A(7) or section 36O(7), or in accordance with rules made under paragraph 2(2)(g) of Schedule 3 or paragraph 2(2)(g) of Schedule 4B, on a person making an allegation,
  • (b) under section 43B(10) on a person who is a director or former director of a body corporate, or
  • (c) in accordance with rules made under paragraph 2(2)(d) or (g) of Schedule 3 or paragraph 2(2)(d) or (g) of Schedule 4B on a person who may have an interest in certain proceedings,

and in such cases, for the purposes mentioned in subsection (2), the person’s proper address is the address where he resides.

  • (4) A notification which is required to be served on a body corporate shall be duly served if it is served on an officer, secretary or clerk of that body.
  • (5) For the purposes of this section and of section 7 of the Interpretation Act 1978 in its application to this section, the proper address of a body corporate, or of an officer, secretary or clerk of that body, is—
  • (a) that body’s address as specified in the list maintained by the Council under section 43A; or
  • (b) the address of that body’s registered or principal office if—
  • (i) it appears to the person serving the notification that the notification is more likely to reach the body corporate or its officer, secretary or clerk at that address, or
  • (ii) there is no address specified in relation to that body in that list.
  • (6) Rules may provide for a notification which is required to be served on any person under this Act to be served by an electronic communication.
  • (7) Rules under subsection (6) shall secure that a notification cannot be served on a person by an electronic communication unless—
  • (a) the person consents in writing to the receipt of notifications under this Act by electronic communication; and
  • (b) the communication is sent to the number or address specified by that person when giving consent.
  • (8) In this section, “electronic communication” has the same meaning as in the Electronic Communications Act 2000.
  • (9) References in this section to serving a notification include references to sending a notification.
50B
  • (1) Subject to subsection (2), any information or guidance which is to be published by the registrar, the Council or a Practice Committee in accordance with any provision of this Act may be published in such form and manner as the registrar, the Council or the Practice Committee (as the case may be) consider appropriate, including in electronic form.
  • (2) Information required to be published under rules under paragraph 2(2)(h) of Schedule 3 to this Act or paragraph 2(2)(h) of Schedule 4B to this Act shall be published in such manner as may be determined by those rules, and not by this section.
50C
  • (1) Any power in this Act to make rules shall be exercisable by the Council.
  • (2) Rules made under this Act shall not come into force until approved by the Privy Council, except in the case of rules made under—
  • section 16A(1) (requisite knowledge and skill: holders of overseas diplomas);
  • section 16B(3) (requisite knowledge and skill: recognition of overseas diplomas);
  • section 36B(4) (dental care professionals register);
  • section 36CB(1) (requisite knowledge and skill: holders of relevant qualifications);
  • section 36CC(3) (requisite knowledge and skill: recognition of relevant qualifications);
  • section 36D(6) and (7) (education and training for members of professions complementary to dentistry);
  • section 36E (rules relating to the dental care professionals register);
  • section 43A(5) and (6) (provision of information by bodies corporate); and
  • paragraph 8(1)(b) of Schedule 1 (the Council: supplementary provisions).
  • (3) The approval of the Privy Council shall be given by order made by the Privy Council.
  • (4) The Privy Council may approve rules as submitted to them, or subject to such modifications as appear to them to be requisite.
  • (5) Any power to make rules under this Act may be exercised—
  • (a) so as to make different provision with respect to different cases or different classes of case or different provision in respect of the same case or class of case for different purposes of this Act; and
  • (b) either in relation to all cases to which the power extends or in relation to all those cases subject to specified exceptions.
  • (6) Any power to make rules under this Act includes power to make any incidental, consequential, saving, transitional, transitory or supplementary provision which the Council consider necessary or expedient.
50D
  • (1) Before making rules under section 16A(1), 16B(3), 36CB(1) or 36CC(3) or Schedule 3 or 4B, the Council shall consult—
  • (a) such persons to whom subsection (2) applies as the Council consider appropriate;
  • (b) the bodies within subsection (4); and
  • (c) such bodies to which subsection (5) applies as the Council consider appropriate.
  • (2) This subsection applies to persons who appear to the Council to be representative of one or more of the following—
  • (a) users of the services of registered dentists;
  • (b) users of the services of registered dental care professionals;
  • (c) registered dentists;
  • (d) registered dental care professionals;
  • (e) employers of registered dentists; and
  • (f) employers of registered dental care professionals.
  • (3) The Council shall exercise their function under subsection (1)(a) so that the persons consulted are, taken together, representative of all the categories of person mentioned in subsection (2)(a) to (f).
  • (4) The bodies within this subsection are—
  • (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (b) Local Health Boards in Wales;
  • (c) Health Boards in Scotland; ...
  • (d) Health and Social Care trusts in Northern Ireland ; and
  • (e) the Department of Health in Northern Ireland.
  • (5) This subsection applies to bodies which make arrangements, for the provision of dental services, with one or both of the following—
  • (a) registered dentists,
  • (b) registered dental care professionals,

but are not within subsection (4).

  • (6) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to rules made under Schedule 3 as applied (with modifications) by section 44A (supplementary provisions relating to financial penalties in relation to bodies corporate), but before making such rules the Council shall consult—
  • (a) the bodies corporate which carry on the business of dentistry; and
  • (b) such organisations appearing to the Council to be representative of users of the services of those bodies corporate as the Council consider appropriate.

SCHEDULE 2A

1

In this Schedule—

  • “appealable registration decision” shall be construed in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3(2) ...;
  • “person concerned” means a person notified under paragraph 3(1) of an appealable registration decision made in respect of him, or, as the case may be, an applicant in respect of whom an appealable registration decision is treated as having been made by virtue of paragraph 3(2) ...; and
  • “the requisite period”—in relation to a decision as to the registration of a specified state professional under section 15(1)(c), means the period of four months beginning with the date when the registrar is first in possession of sufficient information to make the decision;in relation to any other decision of a kind specified in paragraph 2(1)(a) or a decision of a kind specified in paragraph 2(1)(b), (d), (f), (g) or (i), means the period of three months beginning with the date when the registrar is first in possession of sufficient information to make the decision.
2
  • (1) The following decisions are appealable registration decisions for the purposes of this Schedule—
  • (a) a decision not to register a person’s name in the register under subsection (1)(a)... , (c) or (d) of section 15 (qualification for registration) on the grounds that any of the requirements of that section are not met;
  • (aa) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (ab) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (ac) a decision to require a person to undergo an examination or other assessment under section 15A(6)(a);
  • (b) a decision not to give a direction for temporary registration under section 17 (temporary registration);
  • (ba) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (bb) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (c) a decision under section 23(3) (erasure of names of those who have ceased to practise) to erase a person’s name from the register;
  • (d) a decision under section 23(4) not to restore a person’s name to the register;
  • (e) a decision under section 24(1) (erasure on grounds of error) to erase an entry relating to a person from the register;
  • (f) a decision under section 26A(8)(a), (b) or (c) (insurance) not to register a person’s name in the register, not to restore his name to the register or to erase his name from the register;
  • (g) a decision under section 26A(9) not to restore a person’s name to the register;
  • (h) a decision under section 34A(2) (professional training and development requirements) to erase a person’s name from the register;
  • (i) a decision under section 34A(3) not to restore a person’s name to the register;
  • (j) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (k) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (l) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (2) A decision is not an appealable registration decision for the purposes of this Schedule if it is a decision taken by reason only that the person failed to—
  • (a) pay any fee prescribed by regulations made under section 19; or
  • (b) make an application as required under this Act or any rules made under it.

Notification of appealable registration decisions

3
  • (1) Where an appealable registration decision is made in respect of a person, the registrar shall forthwith serve on that person written notification of—
  • (a) the decision;
  • (b) the reasons for the decision; and
  • (c) that person’s right to appeal under paragraph 4.
  • (2) Where an applicant has not been served with notification of a decision in respect of an application for registration or restoration of a name mentioned in paragraphs (a) ..., (b) , (d), (f), (g) or (i) of paragraph 2(1) within the requisite period, that omission shall be treated as a decision not to register or, as the case may be, restore the applicant’s name, which is an appealable registration decision for the purposes of this Schedule.
  • (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
  • (1) A person concerned may appeal to the Registration Appeals Committee against—
  • (a) the appealable registration decision made in respect of him of which he was notified under paragraph 3(1); or
  • (b) the appealable registration decision treated as having been made in respect of him by virtue of paragraph 3(2) ... .
  • (2) An appeal under sub-paragraph (1) shall be made by giving notice of appeal to the registrar.
  • (3) Notice of appeal in a case within sub-paragraph (1)(a) must be given before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which notification of the decision was served under paragraph 3(1), subject to any extension of time under paragraph 5.
  • (4) Notice of appeal in a case within sub-paragraph (1)(b) must be given before the end of the period of 28 days following the end of the requisite period.
  • (5) In the case of an appealable registration decision which is a decision to erase a person’s name from the register, where—
  • (a) no appeal under this paragraph is brought against the decision within the period of time specified in sub-paragraph (3), or
  • (b) an appeal under this paragraph is brought but is withdrawn or struck out for want of prosecution,

that decision shall take effect on the expiry of that period or, as the case may be, on the withdrawal or striking out of that appeal.

  • (6) For the purposes of considering an appeal under this paragraph, the Registration Appeals Committee may make such inquiries as they consider appropriate.
  • (7) Schedule 3 (proceedings before the Investigating Committee, the Interim Orders Committee and Practice Committees: dentists) applies to proceedings under this Schedule before the Registration Appeals Committee with the following modifications—
  • (a) in paragraph 1—
  • (i) omit sub-paragraph (1), and
  • (ii) in sub-paragraph (2)(b) for “the Council” substitute “the registrar”;
  • (b) references to a Committee shall be read as references to the Registration Appeals Committee;
  • (c) in paragraph 2—
  • (i) omit sub-paragraph (1)(b), and
  • (ii) in sub-paragraph (2)(g) omit “the person (if any) making the allegation and”; and
  • (d) omit paragraph 7.
  • (8) In disposing of an appeal under this paragraph, the Registration Appeals Committee may determine to—
  • (a) dismiss the appeal;
  • (b) allow the appeal and quash the decision appealed against;
  • (c) substitute for the decision appealed against any other decision which could have been made by the registrar; or
  • (d) remit the case to the registrar to dispose of in accordance with the directions of the Registration Appeals Committee.
  • (9) In the case of an appealable registration decision which is a decision to erase a person’s name from the register, where the Registration Appeals Committee dispose of an appeal brought under this paragraph by making a determination under sub-paragraph (8)(a), (c) or (d), that decision shall take effect—
  • (a) where no appeal under paragraph 6 is brought against the determination of the Registration Appeals Committee within the period of time specified in paragraph 6(1), on the expiry of that period;
  • (b) where an appeal under paragraph 6 is brought but is withdrawn or struck out for want of prosecution, on the withdrawal or striking out of that appeal; or
  • (c) where an appeal under paragraph 6 is brought and dismissed under paragraph 6(2)(a), on the dismissal of that appeal.
  • (10) Where the Registration Appeals Committee make a determination on an appeal under this Schedule, they shall, as soon as reasonably practicable—
  • (a) inform the registrar of, and serve on the person concerned notification of, the Committee’s determination on the appeal and of the reasons for that determination; and
  • (b) if that determination is not a determination under sub-paragraph (8)(b), serve on the person concerned notification of his right of appeal under paragraph 6.
5

Where—

  • (a) any notification of a decision required under paragraph 3(1) to be served on a person is served by sending it to him by post, and
  • (b) the registrar is satisfied, on the application of that person, that he did not receive the notification within the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the decision was made,

the registrar may, if he thinks fit, by authorisation in writing extend the time for giving notice of appeal under paragraph 4(3).

6
  • (1) Where—
  • (a) the Registration Appeals Committee determine an appeal under paragraph 4, and
  • (b) they do not determine under paragraph 4(8)(b) to allow the appeal and quash the decision appealed against,

the person concerned may, before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which notification of the determination was served on him under paragraph 4(10), appeal against the determination to the relevant court.

  • (2) On an appeal under this paragraph from the Registration Appeals Committee, the relevant court may—
  • (a) dismiss the appeal,
  • (b) allow the appeal and quash the determination appealed against,
  • (c) substitute for the determination appealed against any other determination which could have been made by the Registration Appeals Committee, or
  • (d) remit the case to the Registration Appeals Committee to dispose of in accordance with the directions of the relevant court,

and may make such order as to costs (or, in Scotland, expenses) as the relevant court thinks fit.

  • (3) In this paragraph “the relevant court” means—
  • (a) where the person concerned is registered in the register, and his address in the register is in Scotland, the sheriff in whose sheriffdom that address is situated;
  • (b) where the person concerned is not registered in the register, but his address would (if he were to be registered) be in Scotland, the sheriff in whose sheriffdom that address is situated; and
  • (c) in any other case, the county court.

Rules relating to procedure

SCHEDULE 4A

1

In this Schedule—

  • “appealable registration decision” shall be construed in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3(2) ...;
  • “person concerned” means a person notified under paragraph 3(1) of an appealable registration decision made in respect of him, or, as the case may be, an applicant in respect of whom an appealable registration decision is treated as having been made by virtue of paragraph 3(2) ...; and
  • “the requisite period”, in relation to a decision of a kind specified in paragraph 2(1)(a), ... (c), (e), (f) or (h), means the period of four months beginning with the date when the registrar is first in possession of sufficient information to make the decision.
2
  • (1) The following decisions are appealable registration decisions for the purposes of this Schedule—
  • (a) a decision not to register a person’s name under a particular title in the dental care professionals register under section 36C (qualifications for registration) on the grounds that any of the requirements of that section are not met;
  • (aa) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (ab) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (ac) a decision to require a person to undergo an examination or other assessment under section 36CA(6)(a);
  • (b) a decision under section 36H(3) (erasure of names of those who have ceased to practise) to erase a person’s name from the dental care professionals register;
  • (c) a decision under section 36H(4) not to restore a person’s name to the dental care professionals register under a particular title;
  • (d) a decision under section 36I(1) (erasure on grounds of error) to erase an entry relating to a person from the dental care professionals register;
  • (e) a decision under section 36L(8) or (9)(a) (insurance) not to register a person’s name in the dental care professionals register, not to restore his name to that register, or to erase his name from registration in that register, under a particular title;
  • (f) a decision under section 36L(10) not to restore a person’s name to the dental care professionals register under a particular title;
  • (g) a decision under section 36Z1(2) (professional training and development requirements) to erase a person’s name from registration in the dental care professionals register under a particular title; and
  • (h) a decision under section 36Z1(3) not to restore a person’s name to the dental care professionals register under a particular title ...
  • (i) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (2) A decision is not an appealable registration decision for the purposes of this Schedule if it is a decision taken by reason only that the person failed to—
  • (a) pay any fee prescribed by regulations made under section 36F; or
  • (b) make an application as required under this Act or any rules made under it.
3
  • (1) Where an appealable registration decision is made in respect of a person, the registrar shall forthwith serve on that person written notification of—
  • (a) the decision;
  • (b) the reasons for the decision; and
  • (c) that person’s right to appeal under paragraph 4.
  • (2) Where an applicant has not been served with notification of a decision in respect of an application for registration or restoration of a name mentioned in paragraphs (a), (c), (e), (f) or (h) of paragraph 2(1) within the requisite period, that omission shall be treated as a decision not to register or, as the case may be, restore the applicant’s name, which is an appealable registration decision for the purposes of this Schedule.
  • (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
  • (1) A person concerned may appeal to the Registration Appeals Committee against—
  • (a) the appealable registration decision made in respect of him of which he was notified under paragraph 3(1); or
  • (b) the appealable registration decision treated as having been made in respect of him by virtue of paragraph 3(2) ....
  • (2) An appeal under sub-paragraph (1) shall be made by giving notice of appeal to the registrar.
  • (3) Notice of appeal in a case within sub-paragraph (1)(a) must be given before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which notification of the decision was served under paragraph 3(1), subject to any extension of time under paragraph 5.
  • (4) Notice of appeal in a case within sub-paragraph (1)(b) must be given before the end of the period of 28 days following the end of the requisite period.
  • (5) In the case of an appealable registration decision which is a decision to erase a person’s name from registration in the dental care professionals register under a particular title, where—
  • (a) no appeal under this paragraph is brought against the decision within the period of time specified in sub-paragraph (3), or
  • (b) an appeal under this paragraph is brought but is withdrawn or struck out for want of prosecution,

that decision shall take effect on the expiry of that period or, as the case may be, on the withdrawal or striking out of that appeal.

  • (6) For the purposes of considering an appeal under this paragraph, the Registration Appeals Committee may make such inquiries as they consider appropriate.
  • (7) Schedule 4B (proceedings before the Investigating Committee, the Interim Orders Committee and Practice Committees: dental care professionals) applies to proceedings under this Schedule before the Registration Appeals Committee with the following modifications—
  • (a) in paragraph 1—
  • (i) omit sub-paragraph (1), and
  • (ii) in sub-paragraph (2)(b) for “the Council” substitute “the registrar”;
  • (b) references to a Committee shall be read as references to the Registration Appeals Committee;
  • (c) in paragraph 2—
  • (i) omit sub-paragraph (1)(b), and
  • (ii) in sub-paragraph (2)(g), omit “the person (if any) making the allegation and”; and
  • (d) omit paragraph 7.
  • (8) In disposing of an appeal under this paragraph, the Registration Appeals Committee may determine to—
  • (a) dismiss the appeal;
  • (b) allow the appeal and quash the decision appealed against;
  • (c) substitute for the decision appealed against any other decision which could have been made by the registrar; or
  • (d) remit the case to the registrar to dispose of in accordance with the directions of the Registration Appeals Committee.
  • (9) In the case of an appealable registration decision which is a decision to erase a person’s name from registration in the dental care professionals register under a particular title, where the Registration Appeals Committee dispose of an appeal brought under this paragraph by making a determination under sub-paragraph (8)(a), (c) or (d), that decision shall take effect—
  • (a) where no appeal under paragraph 6 is brought against the determination of the Registration Appeals Committee within the period of time specified in paragraph 6(1), on the expiry of that period;
  • (b) where an appeal under paragraph 6 is brought but is withdrawn or struck out for want of prosecution, on the withdrawal or striking out of that appeal; or
  • (c) where an appeal under paragraph 6 is brought and dismissed under paragraph 6(2)(a), on the dismissal of that appeal.
  • (10) Where the Registration Appeals Committee make a determination on an appeal under this Schedule, they shall, as soon as reasonably practicable—
  • (a) inform the registrar of, and serve on the person concerned notification of, the Committee’s determination on the appeal and of the reasons for that determination; and
  • (b) if that determination is not a determination under sub-paragraph (8)(b), serve on the person concerned notification of his right of appeal under paragraph 6.
5

Where—

  • (a) any notification of a decision required under paragraph 3(1) to be served on a person is served by sending it to him by post, and
  • (b) the registrar is satisfied, on the application of that person, that he did not receive the notification within the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the decision was made,

the registrar may, if he thinks fit, by authorisation in writing extend the time for giving notice of appeal under paragraph 4(3).

6

Where—

  • (a) the Registration Appeals Committee determine an appeal under paragraph 4, and
  • (b) they do not determine under paragraph 4(8)(b) to allow the appeal and quash the decision appealed against,

the person concerned may, before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which notification of the determination was served on him under paragraph 4(10), appeal against the determination to the relevant court.

  • (2) On an appeal under this paragraph from the Registration Appeals Committee, the relevant court may—
  • (a) dismiss the appeal,
  • (b) allow the appeal and quash the determination appealed against,
  • (c) substitute for the determination appealed against any other determination which could have been made by the Registration Appeals Committee, or
  • (d) remit the case to the Registration Appeals Committee to dispose of in accordance with the directions of the relevant court,

and may make such order as to costs (or, in Scotland, expenses) as the relevant court thinks fit.

  • (3) In this paragraph “the relevant court” means—
  • (a) where the person concerned is registered in the dental care professionals register, and his address in that register is in Scotland, the sheriff in whose sheriffdom that address is situated;
  • (b) where the person concerned is not registered in that register, but his address would (if he were to be registered) be in Scotland, the sheriff in whose sheriffdom that address is situated; and
  • (c) in any other case, the county court.

SCHEDULE 4B

1
  • (1) In this Schedule a “Committee” means—
  • (a) the Professional Conduct Committee;
  • (b) the Professional Performance Committee;
  • (c) the Health Committee; or
  • (d) the Interim Orders Committee.
  • (2) A “party” to proceedings means, unless the context otherwise requires—
  • (a) the person to whose registration the proceedings relate; or
  • (b) the Council.

Rules relating to procedure

2
  • (1) Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, rules shall make provision as to the procedure to be followed—
  • (a) in proceedings before a Committee under Part 3A of this Act; and
  • (b) by the Investigating Committee in the exercise of their functions under section 36O.
  • (2) Rules under sub-paragraph (1)(a) shall include provision—
  • (a) requiring the registrar to serve notification on the person to whose registration the proceedings relate that proceedings are to be brought and outlining the case against him;
  • (b) enabling any party to be heard by a Committee, if the party so requires;
  • (c) enabling any party to be represented before the Committee by counsel or a solicitor, or (if the rules so provide and the party so elects) by a person of such other description as may be specified in the rules;
  • (d) enabling the registrar to serve notification of the proceedings on any person who in his opinion has an interest in those proceedings, and to provide any person so notified with an opportunity to submit written representations;
  • (e) enabling a Committee, before they hold any hearing, where they consider that it would assist them in performing their functions, to hold a preliminary meeting in private attended by the parties and the parties' representatives and any other person the Committee think appropriate;
  • (f) requiring proceedings before a Committee to be held in public unless and to the extent that the rules provide otherwise;
  • (g) requiring the registrar to serve notification on the person (if any) making the allegation and any other person who in his opinion has an interest in the proceedings, of the Committee’s decision and the reasons for the decision; and
  • (h) requiring the registrar to publish, in such manner as may be specified in the rules, such information relating to the case and any decision made by the Committee as may be specified in the rules.
  • (3) Each stage in proceedings before a Committee under Part 3A of this Act shall be dealt with expeditiously and a Committee may give directions as to the conduct of the case and the consequences of failure to comply with such directions (which may include the making of an order or refusal of an application if the failure to comply was without reasonable excuse).
  • (4) Rules may provide for the Chairman of a Committee to hold the meeting referred to in sub-paragraph (2)(e) or to give the directions mentioned in sub-paragraph (3) and, subject to the agreement of the parties to his acting on behalf of the Committee, to take such action as the Committee would be competent to take at such a meeting.
3

Subject to paragraph 4, rules shall make provision regarding the rules of evidence to be observed in any proceedings before a Committee under Part 3A of this Act, including rules as to the admissibility of evidence.

4
  • (1) For the purpose of proceedings under Part 3A of this Act in England and Wales or in Northern Ireland before a Committee, a Committee may—
  • (a) summon any person to attend a hearing as a witness, to answer any question or to produce any documents in his custody or under his control which relate to any matter in question in the proceedings;
  • (b) require any witness appearing before them to give evidence on oath and for this purpose an oath may be administered in due form; and
  • (c) upon an application by a person summoned to appear before them, set the summons aside.
  • (2) No person shall be compelled under sub-paragraph (1)—
  • (a) to attend in obedience to a summons if he has been given less than 14 days' notification of the hearing unless he informs the Committee before the hearing that he accepts such notification has been given; or
  • (b) to produce any document which he could not be compelled to produce on the trial of an action.
  • (3) For the purposes of any proceedings under Part 3A of this Act in Scotland before a Committee, the Committee may administer oaths and the Court of Session shall on the application of any party to the proceedings have the like power as in any action in that Court—
  • (a) to grant warrant for the citation of witnesses and havers to give evidence or to produce documents before the Committee, and for the issue of letters of second diligence against any witness or haver failing to appear after due citation;
  • (b) to grant warrant for the recovery of documents; and
  • (c) to grant commissions to persons to take the evidence of witnesses or to examine havers and receive their exhibits and productions.
5

Where the proceedings relate to a person’s conduct, and that conduct has been considered by another body whose functions include overseeing the conduct of members of a health or social care profession, a Committee may adopt as its own findings any finding of fact found by that body and proceed to determine the case without further inquiry.

6
  • (1) In the course of proceedings under Part 3A of this Act, a Committee may make such order as to costs (or, in Scotland, expenses) as they think fit, but may make provision as described in sub-paragraph (2) only if rules allowing such provision have been made under that sub-paragraph.
  • (2) Rules may allow a Committee—
  • (a) to disallow all or part of the costs (or, in Scotland, expenses) of a representative of a party by reason of that representative’s conduct of the proceedings; and
  • (b) to order a representative of a party to meet all or part of the costs (or, in Scotland, expenses) incurred by a party by reason of that representative’s conduct of the proceedings.
  • (3) A Committee shall have regard to a person’s ability to pay when considering the making of an order under this paragraph.
  • (4) Any sum required to be paid under an award in respect of costs (or, in Scotland, expenses) shall be recoverable as if it had been adjudged to be paid by an order of a relevant court.
  • (5) In sub-paragraph (4) “the relevant court” means—
  • (a) where the person to whose registration the proceedings relate is registered in the dental care professionals register, and his address in that register is in Scotland, the sheriff in whose sheriffdom that address is situated;
  • (b) where the person to whose registration the proceedings relate is not registered in that register, but his address would (if he were to be registered) be in Scotland, the sheriff in whose sheriffdom that address is situated; and
  • (c) in any other case, the county court.
7
  • (1) Rules shall be made enabling a Practice Committee, in the course of proceedings under Part 3A of this Act—
  • (a) to refer to another Practice Committee any matter arising which they consider should be dealt with by that other Practice Committee;
  • (b) to take advice, as they consider necessary and appropriate, from another Practice Committee; and
  • (c) to refer to the Interim Orders Committee any allegation before them which they consider should be dealt with by the Interim Orders Committee.
  • (2) Rules under sub-paragraph (1)(a) may provide that, where a Practice Committee refer a case to another Practice Committee by virtue of those rules, section 36P is to apply as if the case had originally been referred by the Investigating Committee to that other Practice Committee.

SCHEDULE 4C

1
  • (1) The Council shall appoint persons to be legal advisers.
  • (2) Legal advisers shall have the general function of giving advice to—
  • (a) the registrar,
  • (b) the Council,
  • (c) the Investigating Committee,
  • (d) the Professional Conduct Committee,
  • (e) the Professional Performance Committee,
  • (f) the Interim Orders Committee,
  • (g) the Health Committee, and
  • (h) the Registration Appeals Committee,

on questions of law arising in connection with any matter under consideration by a person or body listed in this sub-paragraph.

  • (3) No person who has been appointed as the registrar or appointed to the Council or a Committee listed in sub-paragraph (2) shall be appointed a legal adviser.
  • (4) Legal advisers shall have such other functions as may be conferred on them by rules, and in particular provision may be made, in relation to any proceedings—
  • (a) requiring a legal adviser, when advising the Council or any of their committees, to do so in the presence of every party, or person representing a party, to the proceedings who appears at the proceedings, or, where advice is given in private, requiring every such party or person to be notified of the advice given by a legal adviser; or
  • (b) requiring every party, or person representing a party, to the proceedings to be notified in any case where a legal adviser’s advice is not accepted by the person or body in receipt of the advice.
  • (5) To be qualified for appointment as a legal adviser under this paragraph, a person must—
  • (a) have a ten year general qualification within the meaning of section 71 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990;
  • (b) be an advocate or solicitor in Scotland of at least ten years' standing; or
  • (c) be a member of the Bar of Northern Ireland or solicitor of the Court of Judicature of Northern Ireland of at least ten years' standing.
  • (6) The Council may pay such fees, allowances or expenses to persons appointed as legal advisers as the Council may determine.

Medical advisers

2
  • (1) The Council may appoint registered medical practitioners to be medical advisers.
  • (2) Medical advisers shall have the general function of giving advice to—
  • (a) the registrar,
  • (b) the Council,
  • (c) the Investigating Committee,
  • (d) the Professional Conduct Committee,
  • (e) the Professional Performance Committee,
  • (f) the Interim Orders Committee,
  • (g) the Health Committee, and
  • (h) the Registration Appeals Committee,

on matters within their professional competence arising in connection with any matter under consideration by a person or body listed in this sub-paragraph.

  • (3) No person who has been appointed as the registrar or appointed to the Council or a Committee listed in sub-paragraph (2) shall be appointed a medical adviser.
  • (4) Medical advisers shall also have such other functions as may be conferred on them by rules.
  • (5) The Council may pay such fees, allowances or expenses to persons appointed as medical advisers as the Council may determine.

Professional advisers

3

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