Paying your GDC annual retention fee (ARF) by Direct Debit will save you time, as well as the worry of forgetting to pay the fee and being removed from the Register.
Each year a small number of registrants are removed from the GDC’s registers for non payment of the ARF. Unregistered and as a result, unable to practise dentistry in the UK, they must then apply for restoration which includes completing a medical examination and paying an additional fee.
To stop this worrying trend, the GDC is encouraging dental professionals to sign up to pay their fee for 2008 and beyond by Direct Debit.
Direct Debit is the easiest and most convenient way for registrants to pay. Once you’ve set it up, there are no more cheques to write and no more worry about meeting payment deadlines.
This method of payment also helps the GDC keep the ARF as low as possible. We pay significantly less for a Direct Debit payment to be processed than we do for other types of payment. If all registrants paid this way, we’d make big savings on our administration costs which we would take into account when we review the ARF annually.
If you would like to pay your 2008 ARF by Direct Debit, you need to complete and return a mandate form to us by 31 October 2007. You can download one from this website or to have one posted to you email: ICT@gdc-uk.org, or call: 020 7009 2720.
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For media enquiries, please contact Rachel Lea on 020 7009 2782.
Notes to editors:
1. The annual retention fee (ARF) is the fee all dentists and dental care professionals must pay each year to remain on the Dentists Register or DCP Register. Further information on the ARF, including frequently asked questions for registrants, is available on this website.
2. The fees for 2008 will be decided at the Council Meeting in September. The GDC will be sending ARF reminders to all registered dentists, dental hygienists, dental therapists and clinical dental technicians in November.
3. The ARF is claimed by direct debit in early December each year and is deducted as one sum.
4. Dental nurses and dental technicians who register with the GDC for the first time between 31 July 2006 and 30 July 2008 (i.e. before registration is compulsory for these groups) will not have to start paying an ARF until 31 July 2009.