Philosophy of care

To help guide the evolution of contemporary oral health care the College has established a four-pillar ‘Philosophy of Care’.

This living blueprint serves as a professional compass for our entire oral healthcare community

Our College Lectures have stimulated thoughtful discussion on that philosophy.

In 2026, Dr Catherine Rutland set out a personal perspective that brings our philosophy to life, in her College Lecture: The Ethical Shield: Protecting enamel, professional integrity and patient smiles.

Her lecture has explored how dental professionals can continuously integrate ethical values into their working lives in order to provide patients with assurance and confidence in the care they receive.

Mr Martin Kelleher’s inaugural (2025) College Lecture, Satisficing standards in dentistry, laid out the challenge, building on the rich legacy of Dr Malcolm Pendlebury Lectures previously hosted by the Faculty of General Dental Practice UK (FGDP).

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The pillars of our philosophy

Holistic care	We believe that oral healthcare should not be addressed in isolation, and that means much more active engagement across other healthcare domains. Our Marvellous Mouth movement (below) underpins our leadership, where we are uniquely placed to overcome historical boundaries and barriers.
Assured care	Through our formalised career pathways, credentialling schemes, guidance and standards, the College promotes higher standards in care to assure clinical quality and patient safety. We are very well established in this role, making an outsize contribution that builds on 35 years dedicated work, initially through FGDP(UK). But it is a constantly evolving challenge, to which we are wholly committed.
Responsive and proactive care	We are driving a major shift from reactionary treatment to prevention, early detection, and tooth preservation. We must respond to real-world limitations, maximise resources, and move towards an approach that values patient centred prevention and tooth preservation. Our work in initial caries prevention (below) exemplifies our approach.
Ethical and professional care	A stronger voice is needed for constructive, moral and ethical thinking on our approach to treatment. The dental press too often echoes the disquiet felt by many in our professional community about the conflicting pressures affecting treatment, and compromising the interests of patients. The College provides leadership in our thinking in an evolving world, and to reassure oral health professionals in the clinical choices and decisions that they make.