New report explores sexual misconduct within dentistry

Fraser Macdonald, Dental Tribune International

Tue. 10. June 2025

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LONDON, England: Like other areas of society that have come under scrutiny for various kinds of gender inequality and exploitation, dentistry too is now receiving attention regarding the issue of sexual misconduct. A new report completed by University of Manchester researchers for the General Dental Council, the UK body responsible for regulating dental professionals and ensuring patient safety and public confidence in dental services, has found that sexual misconduct is often under-reported and that addressing the issue requires meaningful, structural change.

As outlined by the report, sexual misconduct within the industry is multidimensional and includes any form of sexually inappropriate behaviour between dental professionals, patients or their family members or carers, administrative staff, or other personnel. The study, which involved a systematic review of the literature published between 2010 and 2024 on the topic, found a dearth of UK-based research, most data coming from the US. It also found no studies that examined dental patients’ experiences of sexual misconduct, despite evidence of its risks and potential harms.

The review highlighted that sexual misconduct remains vastly under-reported within the profession. Victims often hesitate to come forward owing to fear of retaliation, lack of trust in institutional support and unclear reporting mechanisms. Where prevalence was measured, it ranged between 5% and 48%, and one UK survey found that 41% of dental professionals had experienced such misconduct and that 39% had witnessed it. Verbal harassment and inappropriate physical contact were most commonly reported.

As confirmed in an earlier study, factors leading to the misconduct and the related lack of reporting are manifold, but centre principally upon power dynamics: those in power are inclined to abuse it, and the victims of abuse fear this same power in considering whether and how to report misconduct. Unsurprisingly, existing gender imbalances were reproduced in the findings: men—particularly male dentists and patients—were overwhelmingly identified as perpetrators.

So, how does the report propose to ameliorate the situation? The researchers recommend clear standards on misconduct, training for dental professionals on boundaries and intervention, and robust, accessible reporting systems. Without systemic change, the profession risks perpetuating silence and harm and eroding public confidence.

The report, titled Rapid Evidence Assessment: Sexual Misconduct in Dentistry, is available here.