Hanna Grzelczak v General Dental Council

Facts

Ms Grzelczak qualified as a dentist in 2003, practised in Poland for seven years, and moved to the United Kingdom in 2009, where she became registered with the General Dental Council (GDC). From January 2022 she worked for Damira Dental Studios, latterly as an Associate Dentist at its Fareham practice, and gave notice of resignation on 28 March 2023, effective 30 June 2023. Between 25 August and 22 September 2023 she sent four emails to administrative staff at Damira, each asking that her name be removed from its online materials. The emails made remarks about "Indian" dentistry and an "Indian company", and the recipients were described as having obviously Indian names. Four charges followed, alleging that each email was unprofessional, inappropriate and/or racially motivated, and that her fitness to practise was impaired by misconduct. She admitted all the allegations at the start of the hearing on 22 September 2025. On 24 September 2025 the GDC's Professional Conduct Committee, after a three day hearing, found misconduct and current impairment and imposed erasure with immediate suspension. Ms Grzelczak appealed against sanction under section 29(1)(a)(i) of the Dentists Act 1984 on five grounds concerning risk of harm, likelihood of repetition, the inference of a deep-seated attitudinal issue, and proportionality. It was conceded on her behalf that suspension was appropriate and necessary in the public interest.