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General dental council fees frozen
14th Sep 2009
Dental professionals' annual retention fee will stay the same for a third year running following a decision made by the Council of the General Dental Counci (GDC).
Council members decided not to increase the annual retention fee (ARF) for dentists later this year (deadline 31 December) and dental care professionals next year (31 July 2010).
It means the cost of annual registration renewal for dentists will remain at £438 and £96 for dental care professionals.
The cost of being on one of the GDC's specialist lists stays at £52.
But this will give little comfort to dental nurses who are currently campaigning for the GDC to reduce the cost of the annual retention fee.
The British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN) is conducting a survey into dental nurse salaries to present a case to the General Dental Council (GDC) regarding the cost.
BADN president, Angie McBain, says: ‘We are receiving many calls in the BADN office from dental nurses – particularly those who work part time – who find that the £96 annual registration fee is more than they can afford.
'The BADN participated in the GDC's consultation exercise on the registration fee and advised that the fee charged to dental nurses should be lowered considerably; and that registrants who work part time should charged a lower fee.'
Pam Swain, chief executive of the BADN, adds: 'This is not good enough! The GDC is still ignoring the fact that £96 is too high for dental nurses, refusing to lower fees for part timers and insisting on one bulk payment, instead of spreading over the year.'
President of the General Dental Council, Hew Mathewson said: 'We know living through the credit crunch isn't easy for anyone. That's why we've decided to hold registration fees at their current levels. I'm pleased to be able to say the Council has built up its reserves and will manage the budget effectively for the coming year without increasing fee levels.'
'The GDC is funded by registrants' fees and we take very seriously the importance of spending our budget responsibly. Our expenses include inspecting and monitoring training courses to ensure those joining the register are up to scratch. Dealing with complaints is our biggest expense – in particular the very small number which reach formal public hearings. We also attend events across the UK and produce publications, to help build and maintain high professional standards.'
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