In September 2006 the Council decided that from 2007 the publication of the printed Dentists Register, Dental Care Professionals (DCP) Register and the Specialist Lists in Distinctive Branches of Dentistry are to be discontinued. The publication of the Registers in the electronic format will be continued. The Council also decided that when the printed Registers are discontinued the full registered addresses of registrants will be published on the GDC website. Although currently only the postal town of each GDC registrant is listed online, full addresses have always been accessible to the public on request. By law, the GDC is required to publish registrants’ addresses, so that the public and others have a means of identifying qualified dentists and dental care professionals.
The decision to stop printing annual registers and to move to a full online listing instead has been made to give patients, employers and others better access to up to date information about registered dental professionals. The printed versions of the registers could not be amended to reflect any changes that took place during the year, and were out of date as soon as they were printed, whereas the online registers are updated daily.
Through the online register, the GDC is able to publish up-to-date details on registrants, and this reinforces its primary role of protecting the public.
We understand that some GDC registrants may be concerned about their privacy. Those listed under their home address may want to amend their details. They can choose their work address or any other address at which we can reach them. Whatever address registrants choose, they must make sure they keep it updated and let us know if they need to change it.
The GDC is writing to its stakeholders such as the professional associations of this decision. During the payment of the Annual Retention Fee at the end of this year, registrants will also be given an opportunity to change their registered addresses.
If you wish to change your registered address with the GDC please call +44 (0)20 7344 3740.