The network was originally launched in 2020 by the DDU's parent company, the Medical Defence Union, to help medical professionals undergoing General Medical Council investigations. On its inception, the MDU's Dr Caroline Fryar explained the process in an article in our sister publication, the MDU journal.

"It puts members who are struggling in the face of their involvement in a complex medico-legal matter in touch with another member who has been through a similar process, supported by the MDU, and therefore has first-hand experience on which they could draw to provide personal support, guidance, reassurance and hope.

"When we have a member who is finding the process they are facing very stressful, we ask the member if they would like to speak to another doctor over the telephone who has been through a similar process and 'survived it'.

"The purpose of the contact is not to discuss the specifics of the case, but to offer the member an opportunity to ask questions and obtain the advice of someone who has 'been in their shoes' and can share tips on how to best cope with the process ahead of them."

The network has now been expanded to include DDU members. Dr Tom Norfolk is Vice-Chairman of the DDU's Board of Management, and a clinically active general dental practitioner himself. "The peer support network is an important part of the wellbeing services we offer to members," he says.

"Our dedicated team of dento-legal and medico-legal advisers took more than 22,000 calls on our advice lines in 2025, and at a time of such pressure, members' interests are at the heart of everything we do. Undergoing a GDC investigation is one of the most stressful experiences a dental professional can face, and talking to a colleague who has been through a similar experience can really help."

Dental professionals for dental professionals: the DDU peer support network

Health and wellbeing

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