Annual Retention Fee Collection 2007

In 2007 seeking to improve our service the General Dental Council changed the company used to collect the ARF. This was not completely successful and a number of mistakes have come to light. While these were being investigated, a decision was made to defer the removal of individuals from the Register for non-payment of the ARF.  This was eventually undertaken in the first week in March approximately 5 weeks later than usual to allow time to sort out problems. 

The most serious difficulty we have encountered relates to accuracy and continuity of information so that it has been very difficult to track and to confirm receipt of some payments.  This has led to further difficulties being identified after individuals have been removed from the register.

We take the maintenance and accuracy of the Register very seriously and fully appreciate that both patient safety and professional status rely on it being both up-to-date and accurate so that both the profession and concerned stakeholders such as Primary Care Trusts may be assured of the information it contains.

The Council is committed to improve the services it provides to its registrants and measures are to be introduced to ensure similar difficulties are not experienced with ARF collection next year. 

The Council is very aware that a few individuals are still experiencing difficulties and has put the following steps in place:

• Relevant PCTs are being advised of individuals who have already been returned to the register (this will be an ongoing initiative). 
• Any individual who contacts the Council indicating that they reasonably believed they have paid the ARF will be returned immediately (not under the restoration process) to the register upon payment by credit or switch card over the telephone. 
• If any individual contacts the Council because they are experiencing difficulty with their PCT over removal from the Register we will be happy to assist as much as we can with up to date information.