Registration fees announced

The General Dental Council has agreed new registration fee levels for 2006.The new levels will mean a registration and retention fee increas...

The General Dental Council has agreed new registration fee levels for 2006.

The new levels will mean a registration and retention fee increase of £13 (3.2%) for dentists. The increase, which is in line with inflation, aims to help the Council deal with any unpredicted increases in demands and should avoid the need for sharper fee increases in the future.

Subject to Privy Council approval, the fees will be:

• Dentist retention fee - £409

• Dentist restoration - £100

• Hygienist/therapist retention - £68

• Specialist first registration -£250.

GDC President Hew

Mathewson explained: ‘The Council is taking a prudent approach and is recommending a fee increase pegged to inflation for the second year running. The £13 increase, although relatively modest, will enable us to build up our reserves and be better equipped for the future.’

Subject to legislative changes now being considered by Parliament, the GDC will be able to set the fees for all categories of registrant itself. The fact that dental hygienists’ and dental therapists’ fees have remained the same for the last two years will then be taken into account.

The Council has also reconfirmed its position with regard to fee discounts. They should not be introduced for particular groups of

registrants, for example on the grounds of age or

employment status.

Registration fees 2006

Dentists

Retention: £409

Temporary registration: £409

First registration: £34 per month or part thereof from the 1st month in which the entry is made until 31 Dec

Restoration: £100 (other than after erasure at the direction of the Professional Conduct Committee)

Dental hygienists and dental therapists

Retention: £68

First registration: £10

Restoration: £10

Specialists (oral surgery and orthodontics)

First registration: £250