The Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme [1] was established by the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 (the PVG Act) [2]. The PVG scheme is administered by Disclosure Scotland. The two vulnerable groups covered by the PVG scheme are children and protected adults. A child is defined as an individual aged under 18 years. All adults are defined as protected adults while receiving dental treatment.
The PVG scheme introduced the concept of regulated work1 [3] for those working with children and protected adults. All dental professionals that provide clinical care are considered to undertake regulated work and must be a member of the PVG scheme. If an individual is considered unsuitable to do regulated work with children and/or protected adults, they are added to the PVG Children's list and/or PVG Adult's list ( known as being listed) and are not eligible for PVG scheme membership [4].
In 2011, the PVG scheme introduced continuous monitoring of individuals to enable identification of all interested parties (e.g. employers where the individual undertakes regulated work1). This ensures that if an individual becomes listed, all relevant interested parties are informed.
From April 2025, the PVG scheme became a legal requirement for those undertaking a regulated role as part of the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 [5].
In April 2026, lifetime membership of the PVG scheme ended and was replaced with a 5-year membership that must be renewed every 5 years.
The General Dental Council recommends dental professionals keeps up to date by undertaking Continuing Professional Development in safeguarding children and young people, and safeguarding vulnerable adults.
1 In April 2025, the concept of "regulated work" was replaced with "regulated roles".
Staff in a regulated role
Since February 2011, it has been necessary for clinical staff undertaking a regulated role to be a member of the PVG scheme to demonstrate that they are not listed (e.g. barred) from working with children and/or protected adults.
Staff not in a regulated role
Receptionists and practice managers are not employed in regulated roles and therefore not eligible for PVG scheme membership. Although not a mandatory requirement, these staff may apply for a Level 2 Disclosure at the discretion of the employer [6].
Other staff who have no access to patients are not eligible for Level 2 Disclosure. In this situation, Level 1 Disclosure may be applied for. However, this is not a mandatory requirement.
Locum Workers
Employment agency locum workers
As the employer of locum workers, it is the responsibility of the employment agency to ensure the individual is a PVG member for the vulnerable group(s) they will be working with. Practices should seek assurance from the employment agency (not the individual) that locum workers are appropriately disclosure checked and not listed (i.e. barred) from a regulated role.
Independent locum workers
Practices should check with an independent locum worker regarding their eligibility to perform a regulated role prior to the locum worker undertaking that work. It is the responsibility of the worker to have a current PVG membership for the regulated role they will undertake.
Ensure that all staff who undertake regulated roles are members of the PVG scheme.
Consider applying for a Level 2 Disclosure for staff who have access to patients but are not undertaking regulated roles.
Check that self-employed and locum workers are members of the PVG scheme and are eligible to perform regulated roles.