Regulation - Dispelling the fear factor

13 Mar 2026
CDO Theatre
Chief Dental Officer Theatre and Zone

Objectives: 
        1. Explain the principles of a fair culture in dental regulation, including how it differs from a blame-focused approach, and describe its relevance to patient safety, professionalism, and regulatory decision-making. 

        2. Apply fair, proportionate and pragmatic culture principles to clinical scenarios, such as the use of standard operating protocols within record keeping 

        3. Identify actions dental regulators can take, or are taking, to promote a fair, right-touch approach to dental regulation and to address the fear culture  

Aims:  To provide attendees with a better understanding of current regulation and any regulatory changes, as well as to provide insight into record-keeping best practice.  

Chairperson
Divyash Patel
Divyash Patel, Clinical Policy Lead - Office of the Chief Dental Officer England
Speakers
Robert Middlefell
Robert Middlefell, National Professional Advisor for Dentistry and Oral Health - CQC
Stefan Czerniawski
Stefan Czerniawski, Executive Director, Strategy - General Dental Council
Shamir Mehta
Shamir Mehta, Lead Clinical Dental Adviser, General Dental Council and Programme Director, MSc in Aesthetic Dentistry, King’s College London
Pritesh Shah
Pritesh Shah, Lead Dental Advisor, Medical Directorate; London Region NHS England
Lisa Harwood Bird
Lisa Harwood Bird, Operations Manager - CQC