Citation, commencement and interpretation

1. —(1) This Order may be cited as the General Dental Council (Constitution) Order 2002 and shall come into force on 18th July 2002.

(2) In this Order—

“the Act” means the Dentists Act 1984;

“the new Council” means the Council as constituted under section 1(2A) of the Act;

“the old Council” means the Council as constituted prior to the date on which the amendments made to the Act by Part II of the Dentists Act 1984 (Amendment) Order 2001( 2 ) are wholly in force.

Constitution of the Council

2. The numbers of each of the three categories of member mentioned in paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 1 to the Act shall be as follows—

(a) 15 members who are registered dentists;

(b) 4 members who are members of classes of dental auxiliaries established by regulations under the Act;

(c) 10 lay members.

Appointment of lay members

3. Her Majesty may appoint as lay members persons who She, on the advice of Her Privy Council, considers to have such qualifications or experience as will be of value to the new Council in the performance of their duties.

Transitional provision

4. Until the date on which the amendments made to the Act by Part II of the Dentists Act 1984 (Amendment) Order 2001 are wholly in force, any rules which are to be made pursuant to paragraphs 3 and 4 of Schedule 1 to the Act or, anything required to be done, for the purposes of the election to the new Council of the members mentioned in paragraph 1(1)(a) and (b) of that Schedule and of the President of the new Council may be made or, as the case may be, be done by the old Council and on or after that date shall have effect as if made or, as the case may be, done by the new Council.