What is the primary responsibility of the General Dental Council (GDC)?

The primary responsibility of the General Dental Council (GDC) is to regulate dental professionals and ensure patient safety. The GDC serves as the regulatory body for dentists and dental care professionals in the UK, maintaining standards for their education, training, conduct, and performance.

This regulation is crucial for protecting public health and safety by ensuring that only qualified professionals are allowed to practice and that they adhere to established standards of care. By setting these standards, the GDC helps to maintain trust in the dental profession and safeguard patients from unqualified or unscrupulous practitioners.

The other options focus on activities that are not within the GDC's scope. Financial support for dental practices is typically managed by different sectors, and while educational programs are important, the GDC does not design these in schools but ensures that dental education meets its regulatory standards. Offering direct dental services to the public is also outside the GDC's role, which is focused on regulation rather than service provision.