Alison Lockyer has been elected as the new Chair of the Council of the General Dental Council.

Alison Lockyer qualified in Edinburgh in 1980 and works full-time as a primary care dentist. She is a returning registrant member of the Council and was appointed earlier this year by the Appointments Commission after the Council underwent a restructuring to become smaller and fully appointed.

For the first time its make up evenly reflects the people that provide and receive dental care, with 12 professional members and 12 lay members. The current Chair Hew Mathewson and the Chair Elect Alison Lockyer will discuss and agree a detailed handover timetable.

The Chair Elect will take office as Chair on either 1 January 2010 or on the date on which the current Chair resigns, by agreement, whichever is earlier.

Current Chair Hew Mathewson said, 'There are more exciting and challenging times ahead for the GDC and Alison, a dentist registrant member of Council, brings with her a wealth of leadership experience. Working with the GDC's new Interim Chief Executive I am confident she will do much to strengthen the Council's commitment to patient protection.'