Explanatory note

This Order makes provision amending the General Dental Council (Constitution) Order 2009 (“the Constitution Order”).

Article 2 of the Constitution Order provides for the composition of the General Dental Council (“the Council”). Article 2(2) of this Order amends that article to change the composition from 12 registrant members and 12 lay members to 6 registrant members and 6 lay members.

Article 8 of the Constitution Order provides for the Council to elect its Chair from its members. Article 2(3) of this Order substitutes a new article 8 which provides instead for the Chair to be appointed by the Privy Council. The Privy Council may appoint a person to be the Chair when it appoints that person to be a member of the Council or it may appoint a person whom it has already appointed as a member of the Council. The Privy Council must, upon making the appointment, determine the term of the appointee’s office as chair. The article also provides for the cessation of the appointment of chair in specified circumstances.

Article 11 of the Constitution Order provides for the quorum of the Council. Article 2(4) of this Order amends that article to change the quorum from 13 to 7.