About equality, diversity and inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion are central to everything we do.  

For that reason, our equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) ambitions are embedded within each priority area of our current strategic objectives. Trusted and effective: A strategy for dental regulation 2026-2028 sets out our roadmap for delivery of our strategic priorities, including how we are promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.

We provide details of our current priorities and updates on the progress we have made against our strategic plans below. You will also find data on protected characteristics, research findings on equality, diversity and inclusion and signposting to relevant publications and guidance.

What do we mean by equality, diversity and inclusion?

Equality is about ensuring everyone is treated fairly and given equal opportunity. It can sometimes be mistakenly thought to mean treating everyone exactly the same, but some individuals and groups often face system barriers and discrimination, which need to be eliminated or minimised to ensure fairness and inclusion.   

Diversity focuses on recognising, valuing and respecting differences, both visible and unseen. It is generally used to refer to the composition or characteristics of groups of people, such as the dental workforce, dental patients or the wider population.  

Inclusion is about creating an environment where people feel valued, supported and free to be themselves. Identifying and removing barriers to inclusion is how we ensure that diversity is valued, people are treated fairly and everyone is given equal opportunity.

Our current strategic priorities

We are currently developing a new framework for professionalism to set out guidance to dental professionals on the standards expected of them. We have been discussing potential changes with dental professionals and stakeholders over recent years, and recently launched a public consultation on our proposals. 

We will be working to ensure the new framework:

• Highlights the expectations placed on dental professionals to treat their patients as individuals and not make assumptions about them, to work together to develop a culturally safe and inclusive working environment, and to ensure that they act fairly and do not discriminate against people for any reason.
• Focuses on sexual misconduct as an element of the wider work on professionalism, in support of a more inclusive practice environment, where sexual misconduct is not tolerated.

Reporting progress on strategic aims and outcomes

We have important work underway to improve the transparency of how we report progress against our strategic aims and outcomes. After a series of thorough internal reviews, drawing on expertise form across the organisation, we have identified the following outcomes as the ones we want to focus on:

• We work efficiently and effectively.
• We are trusted and able to work effectively with stakeholders.
• Regulatory approaches are not a driver of unnecessary fear.
• People are confident that they can access safe oral care when they need it.

EDI is a common theme running through our strategy. Our work to monitor and evaluate our progress on it will be a central feature our work to understand our progress and impact across everything we are working to achieve.

Our progress against strategic aims is currently reviewed by Council on a quarterly basis and shared with others through our organisational performance reports. 

We will share details of our new approach to monitoring and evaluation of strategic aims and outcomes when it is has been formally adopted by our Council. 

Find out more

EDI signposting, data and research