A General Dental Council (GDC) fitness to practice investigation can place significant stress on a dentist, even when the claim is eventually found to be unjustified. From the dentist’s perspective, this process can be mentally and emotionally taxing for several reasons:

1. Emotional Impact

• Fear and Anxiety: The dentist will often experience intense anxiety from the moment they receive notification of the investigation. Concerns about their professional reputation, the potential for sanctions, and the uncertainty of the outcome often cause significant stress. Even though the dentist may feel the claim is unjustified, the worry about how the case may be interpreted by others remains a constant source of concern.
• Sense of Injustice: When the dentist believes they provided appropriate care, being the subject of an investigation can lead to feelings of frustration and helplessness. Many we talk to feel unfairly targeted, especially if the patient’s complaint is based on misunderstandings and dissatisfaction with the outcome rather than clinical errors, or issues beyond the dentist’s control.

2. Professional Impact

• Damage to Reputation: A GDC investigation, even when unjustified, can tarnish a dentist’s professional reputation. Colleagues, patients, and peers may become aware of the investigation, which can damage their standing in the community. The long-term worry about being labelled as a practitioner under investigation can leave lasting emotional scars, even if the claim is dismissed.
• Impact on Practice: While under investigation, the dentist may face restrictions on their practice, leading to lost income and reduced patient trust. They may also feel pressure to maintain a high standard of care while dealing with the emotional toll of the investigation, which exacerbates the stress.

3. Financial Stress

• Legal and Professional Costs: Defending oneself in a GDC investigation can incur legal costs and time away from the practice, even in cases where the claim is unjustified. At Densura we look at providing both financial and emotional support but there may still be financial repercussions, such as loss of income and higher indemnity premiums in the future.
• Time Away from Work: The investigation can be lengthy, during which the dentist will have to spend time responding to requests for evidence, attending hearings, or engaging with legal representation. This distracts from their day-to-day responsibilities and often impacts the financial stability of their practice.

4. Impact on Mental Health

• Stress and Burnout: The ongoing uncertainty and potential impact on their career can lead to significant psychological stress, contributing to anxiety, depression, and burnout. Dentists often take pride in their work, and having their professionalism questioned can deeply affect their self-esteem and confidence.
• Sleep Disruption and Physical Symptoms: Prolonged stress can result in sleep disruption, headaches, and other physical symptoms as the dentist deals with the pressure of an ongoing investigation, compounded by the uncertainty of when it will conclude.

5. Strain on Personal Life

• Family and Social Pressure: The dentist may also experience strain in their personal relationships as the stress from the investigation spills over into their family or social life. Dentists often face isolation as they may not feel comfortable sharing the details of their case with others, leading to loneliness and emotional fatigue.
• Loss of Work-Life Balance: The mental energy and time spent on dealing with the investigation can erode a dentist’s work-life balance, with many spending extra hours dealing with the investigation process, reviewing records, or engaging with their legal teams, leaving little time to recuperate.

6. Relief and Lingering Effects (Post-Investigation)

• Relief vs. Residual Stress: Once the claim is found to be unjustified, the dentist may feel a sense of relief, but the experience can leave lingering feelings of mistrust, fear of future complaints, and hesitation in patient interactions. There is also the ongoing concern about how such an investigation might affect their future interactions with patients and their ability to confidently practice without second-guessing their actions.
• Rebuilding Confidence: Even after being cleared, it may take time for the dentist to regain their confidence in both their professional abilities and the regulatory system. The emotional toll from the investigation can lead to a more cautious and perhaps overly defensive approach to patient care in the future, fearing further complaints.

A GDC fitness to practice investigation process can be a deeply stressful and emotionally draining experience for a dentist. It impacts their emotional well-being, professional reputation, financial stability, and personal life. Despite being exonerated, the dentist may continue to face residual effects long after the case has concluded, leading to caution in future patient interactions and a potential reduction in their overall quality of life.