GDC changes to how they engage ‘Associates’

Following recent publications suggesting that the GDC has decided that dental associates will move from ‘self-employed’ to ‘worker’, we feel it necessary to clarify the changes announced by the GDC. 

On 16 July 2025, the GDC announced changes to how they will engage Associates performing roles for the GDC. The GDC engages individuals, both dental professionals and lay people, who contribute their expertise to ensure the standards and quality of dental education, practice and regulation in the UK. The announcement confirmed that, following a review, the GDC have decided that some of these roles which were previously performed on a self-employed basis, would be changed to worker status, providing further rights and protections under employment law.

This announcement by the GDC has absolutely no bearing on how dental associates work within the dental industry, however the confusion may have arisen due to the GDC’s wording of “Associates”. 

Understandably this could have caused significant panic for both dental practice owners and dental associates who enjoy the flexibility that comes with being self-employed. If all dental associates were to immediately be categorised as workers under the meaning of employment law, this would have catastrophic consequences for dental practices from a financial perspective. Luckily, this is not what the GDC’s announcement confirmed, nor is it likely the GDC would or could make such a judgement on dental associates that are working independently for dental practices.

Whilst the GDC cannot make such a determination on the employment status of dental associates, both the Employment Tribunal and HMRC can, and continue to do so daily, therefore now is the time to ensure that your written agreements and the reality of your working practices reflect self-employed status. 

At Buxton Coates Solicitors, we draft all self-employed agreements very carefully to include as many self-employed indicators as possible, however the parties to the agreement must ensure they are following the terms in practice if they wish to protect that status.

Contact our employment team on employment@buxtoncoates.com or 0330 088 2275 to have your existing agreements reviewed and discuss what changes you can make to protect your associates, hygienists and therapists’ employment status.