New programme submissions and programme modifications

New programme submissions

If an education provider proposes to deliver a new programme that will lead to GDC registration, they are required to demonstrate how the programme will meet the Standards for Education. To achieve this, we require providers to complete a mapping document that describes how the programme will meet the Standards and what evidence is, or will be, available to prove this.

Programme providers must also complete a curriculum mapping table which we will also provide. A curriculum mapping table contains all the learning outcomes for a registered profession. These are contained in Preparing for Practice. The mapping table requires the education provider to specify where and how each outcome will be assessed in the programme.

The documentary evidence and mapping documents are reviewed by a panel of our education associates who make a recommendation on whether the programme is likely to meet the Standards and learning outcomes. This recommendation is presented to the Registrar who makes a final decision on whether to grant provisional approval of the programme. If so, the programme will be subject to a full inspection for full approval.

If you have any questions or wish to start a new submission, please contact the Education Quality Assurance Team who will provide you with the relevant documents.

Please note that education providers will be required to transition their programmes from Preparing for Practice to The Safe Practitioner: A framework of behaviours and learning outcomes for dental professional education from September 2025.

Programme modifications

Where a revision to a programme will involve a major change or significant restructure of its delivery, you must contact us to advise of the changes in writing. This is to ensure that our learning outcomes continue to be met.

The programme modification process enables us to tailor an appropriate level of submission from you depending on the nature and scale of the change.

Where the proposed change to the programme is identified as medium or major, an Initial Assessment form will be required. This will be used to assess whether further information or documentary evidence is needed to confirm that our Standards for Education and learning outcomes will continue to be met. Details of the process are contained in our Programme modification guidance for providers.

If you are making a modification to your existing programme and have any questions, please contact the Education Quality Assurance Team who will provide you with the relevant documents.