Following the opening of the dental care professionals (DCP) Register on 31 July 2006 the General Dental Council (GDC) has been delighted with the positive response from dental nurses and technicians. In the first month, the GDC has sent out approximately 5,000 registration application packs in response to requests from dental care professionals keen to be among the first new registrants.
GDC President, Hew Mathewson said:
“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.”
GDC 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.”
Application packs for dental nurses and technicians and further information about DCP registration are available on the website. Potential registrants can also request an application pack by emailing their name and address to dcpform@gdc-uk.org or by calling the GDC on 020 7887 3800.
These first six registrants to join the new DCP Register have warmly welcomed registration for DCPs.
Hazel Carpenter works at the Edinburgh Dental Institute, co-ordinating dental nurse training within NHS Lothian, 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 works as an Oral Health Coordinator and Lead Tutor at Barnfield College in Luton; she also maintains her clinical skills by working as a dental nurse in Bedford Hospital. Commenting on joining the register she said:
“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.”
Katie Mason who manages her own orthodontic laboratory, Ideal Profile, in Kettering is pleased to be joining the register, she said:
“By joining this new register I feel that, at last after many years, my job will be taken more seriously. I believe that the profession of dental technology as a whole will benefit from a more united approach, to be able to tackle what lies ahead in the coming years.”
Elaine Simmons, who works as a Practice Manager at Deacon Road Dental Practice in Widnes and as a Primary Dental Care Development Facilitator in the Cheshire and Merseyside Deanery in Liverpool, is pleased to be joining the register, she said:
“I am delighted that dental nurse registration has arrived and I will be encouraging other dental nurses to join the register”.
Kevin Tinklin works as a crown and bridge technician for a laboratory in Nottingham. Commenting on joining the register he said:
“At last experienced and qualified technicians have gained recognised status within the profession of dentistry. Now we can justifiably, through our expertise and qualifications, be part of the wider dental team delivering the best care possible for the patient.”
Phil Wears works at York Dental Laboratory he said:
“Registration with the GDC is possibly the best thing that could happen to our profession. It will raise the profile of dental technicians and allow us to be recognised as professionals. It will improve patient care and awareness and will raise the standards of work supplied to patients. The new opportunities that will become available will enable technicians to become better trained and educated, more respected as professionals and hopefully better paid."
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For media enquiries, please contact Rachel Lea on 020 7009 2782.
Notes to Editors:
1. Photographs of Hazel Carpenter, Angie McBain, Katie Mason, Elaine Simmons, Kevin Tinklin and Phil Wears are available on request.
2. Registration for dental nurses and technicians will become compulsory on 31 July 2008. However, the GDC is encouraging dental nurses and technicians to join the register during the two-year transition period, which will enable dental nurses and technicians who have been working in their role for a number of years to join the register on the basis of validated experience. Dental nurses and technicians joining the register after 30 July 2008 will need to have a GDC-recognised qualification.
3. Registration for two additional groups - clinical dental technicians and orthodontic therapists – is now compulsory. This is because these professions are being recognised for the first time in the UK. Professionals wishing to register within these groups will need to have undertaken a GDC-recognised training course.