On 2 June 2025, Harley Academy published a blog saying that the General Dental Council (GDC) was “cracking down” on cosmetic dentists using the title “aesthetic doctor” or calling themselves an “aesthetics specialist” or “cosmetic doctor”.
The news comes shortly after Hamilton Fraser CEO Eddie Hooker published an article in Aesthetic Medicine magazine discussing the topic of terminology and job titles and why it matters. In this piece and in our longer article on the Hamilton Fraser content hub on Navigating aesthetic terminology, we explored the use of the title Dr by dentists.
This latest guidance seeks to further clarify and remind dentists, specifically those working in aesthetic medicine, about the terms they use to describe themselves professionally, most importantly, the use of the term “specialist”.
In reality, nothing. The guidance is not new, but, according to Harley Academy, the UK regulator for dental professionals, the GDC, is sending out a reminder specifically targeting cosmetic dentists in the aesthetic medicine space. In the guidelines, it’s reiterating the rules regarding what dental professionals can use, in terms of their professional titles. This particularly refers to the use of the term “specialist”, which is a protected term, much the same as “doctor” and, more recently, “nurse”.
The GDC’s position is clear: unless you are on one of their official specialist registers, have completed an approved training pathway and meet specific criteria, you must not use the term.
As the GDC does not have a specialist register for aesthetic medicine providers, dental professionals working in this sector are unable to apply to use ‘specialist’ titles or terminology.
You can read the GDC guidance on the use of the title “specialist” here and their guidance on advertising here.
The parts of the guidance that are most pertinent for dentists practising aesthetics are where it refers to using terms such as “aesthetic specialist” or “specialising in”. The GDC says:
“If you are a dentist and are on a GDC specialist list, you can use the title ‘Specialist’ or describe yourself as a ‘specialist in….’ If you are a dentist and you are not on a GDC specialist list, you must not use titles which may imply specialist status such as Orthodontist, Periodontist, Endodontist etc. There are no specialist lists for dental care professionals. If you are a dental care professional, you must ensure that you do not mislead patients by using titles which could imply specialist status, such as ‘Smile specialist’ or ‘Denture specialist’.
If you are not on a specialist list, you must not describe yourself as ‘specialising in…’ a particular form of treatment, but may use the terms ‘special interest in..’, ‘experienced in..’ or ‘practice limited to...”
While dentists are still allowed to use the courtesy title of ‘Dr’ as per rules that came into effect in 2013, they cannot call themselves ‘aesthetics doctor’.
The GDC stresses that practitioners should accurately represent their qualifications, especially in a field where trust is paramount.
The GDC says: “You are able to use the title ‘Dr’ as a courtesy title. However, you must make clear the services you are offering and must not imply that you are a medical doctor, unless you are registered with the GMC. It is a good idea to make clear that you are a dentist and not a medical doctor, for example, “Dr A Smith, Dentist” or “Dr B Patel, Dental Surgeon”.
The CAP Executive has issued guidance on this topic, too. It says:
“The ASA and CAP understand that since 1995, the General Dental Council (GDC) had permitted its members to use the title ‘Dr’, provided it is clear that it is a courtesy title only and it is not otherwise implied that they are qualified to carry out medical procedures.
“The safest and simplest way to avoid confusing consumers is to avoid the ‘Dr’ title unless a general medical qualification is held.
“CAP recommends that if marketers do decide to use the ‘Dr’ title in advertising, they make sure they are on the GDC register and should clearly and prominently qualify the use of that title with a statement that makes clear it is a courtesy title and that a general medical qualification is not held.”
You can read the General Dental Council’s research report on patient and public attitudes to standards for dental professionals, ethical guidance and use of the term doctor here.
If you are a dentist practising aesthetic medicine, then make sure you are clear about your background and qualifications when communicating to the public, after all the training dentists undertake has many advantages when it comes to aesthetics.
The GDC’s goal with this guidance is to make sure the public is not inadvertently misled by ambiguous or confusing job titles. Make sure you are up to date on the guidance and what you can and can’t say. Be mindful of the broader meaning behind certain terms and stay clear of making claims like “I specialise in”. Instead, shout about your experience and training in aesthetics and dentistry. You can use language like “I have XX years of experience providing treatments in my aesthetic practice and a background in dentistry, which has equipped me with the skills to…”
Remember, as a dentist, you have highly transferable skills when it comes to aesthetics, and you can proudly tell your patients and colleagues about these. This may include:
With a lack of regulation, it’s important to uphold the highest standards. Using incorrect terminology would cause damage to your hard-earned reputation. What’s more, in the event a claim is made against you, misrepresenting qualifications could have further ramifications. The safest thing to do is to be clear and transparent and to make sure you have the right insurance cover.
This will:
For more, you can read our guide on getting started in aesthetics for dentists here.
You can also get a quote today to discover how Hamilton Fraser can support your insurance needs.
