College of General Dentistry Uncategorized

The formation of the FGDP: the problematic ‘UK’ suffix

Stephen Rear MBE FCGDent (Founding Dean of the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners) and Sir Nairn Wilson CBE FCGDent (Founding President Emeritus of the College of General Dentistry) recall the problematic issue of the adoption by the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners of a ‘UK’ suffix while being hosted by the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Stephen Rear MBE FCGDent (left) and Sir Nairn Wilson CBE FCGDent (right)

Background

From the outset FGDP was conceived to be a UK-wide body, with the intention to become an independent college within a few years of formation. It was proposed, as an interim arrangement en route to becoming an independent college, that the Faculty, while hosted by the Royal College of Surgeons of England, be an intercollegiate faculty of the three Royal Surgical Colleges – the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians of Glasgow, each having equal representation on the Board of the Faculty, i.e., the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners of the Royal Surgical Colleges of England, Edinburgh and Glasgow. The Royal Surgical Colleges were, however, opposed to the concept of an intercollegiate faculty at the time, both for legal reasons and not wishing to invite a flood of proposals for intercollegiate faculties in every surgical specialty, which could threaten the fiercely defended independence of the three Royal Surgical Colleges. This posed a problem for FGDP, which wished to be identified as a UK-wide organisation, providing a collegiate home for all general dental practitioners (GDPs), including GDPs in Scotland who may have had some affiliation, loyalty or simply affection for one of the Royal Surgical Colleges based in Scotland. The solution was to accede to the demand of the Independent College – proposed College of General Dental Practitioners, Group1 to  add a ‘UK’ suffix to the name of the Faculty – Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (UK), and, in addition, to plan to hold educational and diploma ceremony events across the UK, specifically in Scotland. As explained in this historic note, the decision to adopt a ‘UK’ suffix proved problematical.

Problems

When approached, the Royal Surgical Colleges in Scotland objected vehemently to FGDP, as a part of the Royal College of Surgeons of England adopting, a ‘UK’ suffix – both the Royal Surgical Colleges in Scotland considering themselves to have UK-wide roles and responsibilities extending to primary care dentistry. The Privy Council declined to take a position on the matter, suggesting faults on both sides of the argument for and against the adoption of the suffix. And the General Dental Council (GDC), in granting general recognition to the Faculty’s Diploma in General Dental Practice (DGDP) determined, in accordance with the GDC’s standard usage, that the abbreviation to designate the diploma would be ‘DGDP RCS Eng’, i.e., with no reference to the Faculty, let alone the use of a ‘UK’ suffix.

Diplomacy

Voluminous correspondence then ensued through last quarter of 1992 and first quarter of 1993, involving, amongst others, Stephen Rear, the founding Dean of FGDP and driving force behind the initiative, the Presidents and then Deans of the Faculties of Dental Surgery of the three Royal Surgical Colleges, and Sir David Mason CBE, the then President of the GDC. This correspondence and concurrent discussions culminated in the matter being discussed at a meeting of Joint Surgical Colleges in Dublin in April 1994. At this meeting, the Royal Surgical Colleges agreed not to oppose the adoption of the ‘UK’ suffix by FGDP, but grudgingly, given the view of the Royal Surgical Colleges based in Scotland that the use of the suffix would cause irritation until either the FGDP realised its ambition to become a free-standing College, or the use of the suffix was discontinued. If the Royal Surgical Colleges in Scotland had known that FGDP(UK) would continue to exist until 2021, rather than become a free-standing college within a matter of a few years, they may have been less inclined to agree to the adoption of the suffix by the Faculty.

Subsequent developments

Despite the Royal Surgical Colleges in Scotland nursing their irritation over the adoption of the ‘UK’ suffix by FGDP, they agreed to provide observers to serve on the Board of the Faculty, made their facilities available to FGDP(UK) for educational purposes – examinations, courses and, in the case of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh a FGDP(UK) diploma ceremony. Also, the Dental Deans of the Royal Surgical Colleges invited the Dean of FGDP(UK) to join meetings of the Joint Meeting of Dental Faculties (JMDF).

Over time, whatever irritation was caused by FGDP adopting the ‘UK’ suffix, subsided and faded away.  And when, FGDP(UK) finally separated from the Royal College of Surgeons of England to meld into the newly formed College, intended Royal College of General Dentistry, the use of the ‘UK’ suffix, together with the Faculty, became a matter of history.

Concluding remarks

The hard won, albeit begrudged acceptance of the adoption of the ‘UK’ suffix by FGDP was important to the Faculty in promoting and maintaining a UK-wide presence and influence during its extended relationship with the Royal College of Surgeons of England. This extended relationship included a failed attempt to combine FGDP(UK) with the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, and restructuring arrangements by the host Royal College of Surgeons of England, which eroded the independence of FGDP(UK). This erosion of independence made the eventual separation of the Faculty from the Royal College of Surgeons of England, and the formation of the College of General Dentistry all the more difficult – a matter for a subsequent paper.

    This article was originally published in the Dental Historian, the journal of the Lindsay Society, a membership organisation which promotes interest, study and research into the history of dentistry and brings together people who share these interests. It is re-published here with the kind permission of the Editor. The version of record (‘Formation of the Faculty of General Dental Practice: the problematic ‘UK’ suffix’) is available in the Dental Historian, volume 70 (2025), issue 2.

    The authors are most grateful to Dr Edgar Gordon FCGDent for reviewing this note to confirm the accuracy of its contents.

    The most recent account of the formation of the Faculty of General Dental Practice, originally the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (‘The history of the College of General Dentistry: The formation of the Faculty of General Dental Practice’), was written by Dr Ario Santini FCGDent, Dr Edgar Gordon FCGDent and Prof Sir Nairn Wilson CBE FCGDent and was published in the Dental Historian in 2024 (volume 69, issue 2).

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    Our Coat of Arms: an encapsulation of the College’s ethos and aspirations

    Sir Nairn Wilson CBE FCGDent, President Emeritus of the College, describes the symbolism and meaning behind each of the heraldic elements in the College’s newly-granted Coat of Arms.

    Sir Nairn with the Grant of Arms presented to the College on 19 May 2025

    A Grant of Arms is a formal recognition bestowed by the official heraldic authority, the College of Arms, and symbolises legitimacy and identity. Dating back centuries, grants of arms are typically conferred upon those organisations and individuals which meet established criteria of permanence, achievement, and contribution in their respective fields, and the College (intended Royal College) of General Dentistry has recently been so honoured.

    The process leading up to the Grant of Arms involved the design of an ‘Armorial Achievement’ – colloquially known as a Coat of Arms – which includes various heraldic elements such as a shield, crest and motto, each imbued with symbolic meaning. These elements collectively encapsulate the ethos and aspirations of the organisation.

    The Armorial Achievement (Coat of Arms) of the College of General Dentistry

    The shield – the centrepiece of the heraldic achievement – has a blue background (field). The central feature of the shield is a golden pelican ‘in her piety’ – feeding a brood of three chicks in a nest, with the chicks pecking and wounding their mother’s breast, anxious to be fed. The principal meaning evoked by the pelican is caring: first and foremost for patients, secondly for early career oral healthcare professionals and students, and thirdly for the moral compass of the profession – hence the three chicks.

    The pelican is surmounted by a golden band (‘chief’) displaying three snakes, each knotted (‘nowy’). The knotted snakes symbolise unity within the profession, unity with other health professions and unity of purpose in healthcare, emphasising the importance of oral health to general health and wellbeing. Together the pelican and snakes symbolise trust and reliance.

    The crest on top of the helm features the upper half of an ‘opinicus’, resting its right (‘dexter’) foreleg on a giant pearl. The traditional opinicus, derived from the crest of the Company of Barber Surgeons, which was incorporated in 1462, is a symbol of influence, and of strength in diversity and inclusivity within the College. The pearl signifies wisdom in the art and science of dentistry. The opinicus, rarely included in heraldic achievements, resembles a dragon in the forepart and in the wings, with a beaked head and ears similar to those of a griffin. The hind part and the legs resemble those of a lion. The tail is similar to that of a bear.

    The mantling around the shield and helm displays the livery colours of the College – azure blue and gold.

    Below the shield sits the College motto: Sanitate oris venit fortitudo – Strength through oral health – strength for patients and strength for the profession.

    The College of General Dentistry badge

    The badge of the College is a proud and bold opinicus in College blue and rampant posture (standing on one hind foot in profile, with raised wings and tail), holding the giant pearl of wisdom, as featured in the crest of the Arms, between its clawed forepaws.

    The Grant of Arms adds to the legitimacy of the College, which is now firmly part of the healthcare establishment, and is considered to be an important step towards eligibility for the granting of a Royal Charter – a priority for the College in its further growth and development. The College is only the ninth dental organisation in the UK, Australia or New Zealand to have receive a Grant of Arms, and will now start making use of its Arms and badge in, for example, a re-design of diploma certificates and the introduction of College regalia.

    The full text of the Grant of Arms can be read here.

    This abridged article is presented with the kind permission of the Dental Historian, the journal of the Lindsay Society, a membership organisation which promotes interest, study and research into the history of dentistry and brings together people who share these interests.

    The version of record (‘Making history: The grant of arms to the College of General Dentistry’) is available in the Dental Historian, volume 70 (2025), issue 2.

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    Grant of Arms – text

    The College has published the full text of its recently-received Grant of Arms.

    The Grant of Arms to the College of General Dentistry

    The Grant of Arms to the College – as reported here – was authorised in July 2024, signed in March 2025 and received in May 2025. The text of the Grant is as follows:


    TO ALL AND SINGULAR to whom these Presents shall come David Vines White Esquire Garter Principal King of Arms Timothy Hugh Stewart Duke Esquire Clarenceux King of Arms and Robert John Baptist Noel Esquire Norroy and Ulster King of Arms Send Greeting!

    Whereas Michael Anthony Horton Chair of Trustees of The College of General Dentistry and Sir Nairn Hutchinson Fulton Wilson Knight, Commander of the Most Excellent Order of The British Empire Honorary Founding President of The College of General Dentistry have represented unto The Most Noble Edward William Duke of Norfolk Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order Earl Marshal and Hereditary Marshal of England that The College of General Dental Practitioners of the United Kingdom was duly incorporated by that name as a private company limited by guarantee without share capital on the Twenty-eighth day of February 1991 under the Companies Act 1985 and registered as a charity in England and Wales on the Third day of May following That by resolution made the Fourteenth day of March 2014 the name of the said Company was changed to The College of Dentistry That by further resolution made the Twelfth day of March 2018 the name of the said Company was again changed to The College of General Dentistry That the objects of the said Company are the promotion and encouragement of the study and practice of the art and science of dental surgery including in particular but without limitation general dental practice ancillary to such general dental surgery And that the governance of the said Company is vested in a Board of Trustees which Board is desirous of having Armorial Ensigns established for The College of General Dentistry under lawful authority and duly recorded in His Majesty’s College of Arms And whereas they the said Michael Anthony Horton and Sir Nairn Hutchinson Fulton Wilson as Chair of Trustees and Honorary Founding President respectively and on behalf of the said Board of Trustees have requested therefore the favour of His Grace’s Warrant for Our granting and assigning such Arms and Crest and in the same Patent such Device or Badge as We deem suitable to be borne and used by The College of General Dentistry on its Common Seal or otherwise according to the Laws of Arms

    And forasmuch as the said Earl Marshal did by Warrant under his hand and Seal bearing date the Fifth day of July 2024 authorize and direct Us to grant and assign such Arms and Crest and in the same Patent such Device or Badge accordingly

    Know Ye therefore that We the said Garter Clarenceux and Norroy and Ulster in pursuance of His Grace’s Warrant and by virtue of the Letters Patent of Our several Offices granted by Her late Majesty to each of Us respectively do by these Presents grant and assign unto The College of General Dentistry the Arms following that is to say: Azure a Pelican in her piety Or vulning herself Gules on a Chief Or three Serpents nowed Azure And for the Crest Upon a Helm with a Wreath Or and Azure A demi Opinicus wings elevated and addorsed Azure armed Or resting the dexter paw on a Pearl proper Mantled Azure doubled Or as are in the margin hereof more plainly depicted And by the Authority aforesaid We do further grant and assign the following Device or Badge that is to say: An Opinicus rampant wings elevated and addorsed Azure armed Or holding between the forepaws a Pearl proper as herein depicted the whole to be borne and used for ever hereafter by The College of General Dentistry on Seals or otherwise according to the Laws of Arms

    In witness whereof We the said Garter Clarenceux and Norroy and Ulster have to these Presents subscribed Our names and affixed the Seals of Our several Offices this Fourth day of March in the Third year of the Reign of Our Sovereign Lord Charles the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of His other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith and in the year of Our Lord Two thousand and twenty-five.

    Details of the historical and professional significance of each element of the College’s distinctive Coat of Arms, as described in and visible on the Grant, are available here.

    The Grant was on display at the College’s Summer Reception which took place on Friday 13 June 2025 in Sheffield.

    BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE

    This article was updated on 9 July 2025 to provide a link to the description of the heraldry behind the design of the College’s Coat of Arms, and to update the section referring to the display at the College Summer Reception.

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    College granted Arms

    The College has been granted Arms by Letters Patent.

    The Grant of Arms by Letters Patent to the College of General Dentistry

    The Grant of Arms has been made under Crown authority by the College of Arms, the heraldic authority for England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Coming less than four years since CGDent opened its doors to members, it is a highly significant step towards fulfilment of the College’s aspirations to be incorporated under Royal Charter and to create a Royal College for dental professionals.

    The Grant includes a Coat of Arms, Crest and Badge, which will soon start to be incorporated into the College’s certificates and awards, publications and a re-designed logo. Behind the distinctive design of the heraldic elements lies a rich story dating back to the 15th century, which has been documented by Sir Nairn Wilson CBE FCGDent, Honorary Founding President of the College. This will be published shortly on the College website, alongside the full text and images of the Grant.*

    The Grant also includes the College’s motto, Sanitate oris venit fortitudo (“Strength through oral health”).

    Signed and sealed on vellum by the Kings of Arms – the King’s three most senior heralds – the Grant was recently received on behalf of the College by Sir Nairn, who called on the profession to support its mission through membership:

    “It was truly a privilege to take receipt of the Grant of Arms on behalf of the College. This is a hugely significant moment not only for the members, who have supported the College to date, but for each and every existing and future dentist, dental therapist, dental hygienist, dental nurse, orthodontic therapist, dental technician and clinical dental technician with roles and responsibilities in oral healthcare throughout the UK and beyond. My message to all these colleagues is that the College of General Dentistry is now all the more established, and by joining the College you can be part of the historic mission to give our noble profession the independent, influential Royal College it has deserved and needed for so long.”

    The Grant will be on display at the College’s Summer Reception which takes place on Friday 13 June 2025 in Sheffield. This is open to all dental professionals and others with interests in the future of dentistry, with discounted tickets for College members. For further information, and to book, click the button below.

    BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE

    *Update 9 July 2025: Sir Nairn’s description of the heraldry behind the design of the College’s Coat of Arms is now available here. The full text of the Grant of Arms is available here.

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