The survey also showed that 76 per cent believe the investigation impacted on their personal life and 71 per cent felt it affected their health and wellbeing.
A third of respondents (32 per cent) believe they received enough support in looking after their health throughout the investigation. However, of those, four in 10 (40 per cent) felt they needed clearer expectations from the GDC and one in 10 (11 per cent) were left feeling they needed counselling.
Kevin Lewis, Dental Director at Dental Protection, said:
“It is worrying that so many dental professionals feel they are suffering from stress and anxiety as a result of a GDC investigation, but not entirely surprising. Investigations can sometimes take years to conclude, meaning dental practitioners have to continue practising while waiting for the GDC to decide their fate.
“GDC investigations can also have a long lasting effect on dental practitioners, with 67 per cent of respondents believing it impacted on their confidence and a quarter (26 per cent) feeling their future career prospects would be affected.
“It is heartening to see that despite the obvious challenges of dealing with a GDC investigation, 49 per cent of members learned from the experience and looked forward to continuing their career.”