Dentistry News | Dental Jobs | Dentist Forum | CPD Education
Dental news |
 |
RSS Feed | View by: Most Recent | Most Popular | Most Discussed |
DCP registration numbers soar
7th Sep 2006
GDC chief executive Duncan Rudkin
The General Dental Council claims to have been overwhelmed by the response to its opening of the dental care professionals (DCP) register. In the first month after its introduction on 31 July, the GDC sent out approximately 5,000 registration application packs in response to requests from nurses and technicians keen to be among the first new registrants. The Council’s chief executive & registrar Duncan Rudkin said: ‘Since the DCP register opened in July we have had an overwhelmingly positive response for application packs. 'In view of this response, we will be sending application packs to those on the voluntary registers from October in a staged way so that we can manage the processing of all applications, to help ensure that applications are turned around as quickly as possible. All dental nurses and technicians on the voluntary registers should receive their application forms by March 2007.’ GDC President Hew Mathewson added: ‘The GDC is very pleased with the way the profession has responded to the introduction of statutory registration. The work the Council has put into communicating to the profession about the new register over the last few years seems to be paying off.’ Application packs and further information about DCP registration are available on www.gdcuk.org/Potential+registrant/Apply+for+registration/#step1. Hazel Carpenter, who works at the Edinburgh Dental Institute co-ordinating dental nurse training within NHS Lothian, was one of the first to register. She said: ‘Although it has been a long time coming, it is certainly reassuring that dental nurses are now recognised, professional members of the dental team who will be able to contribute directly to improving oral health care.’ Angie McBain, a dental nurse at Bedford Hospital, added: ‘Joining the DCP register is a momentous occasion. I’m proud to be a dental nurse. The DCP register not only provides protection for the patient, but also professional status for dental nurses, and opens the door to extended duties and future involvement in high quality direct patient care.’
Rate this story
Comments
