Today (31 July 2006) sees the opening of a new statutory register for dental care professionals (DCPs) practising in the UK.  The introduction of DCP registration will increase patient protection by ensuring that all dental professionals involved in the clinical care of patients are regulated by the General Dental Council (GDC).

Dentists, dental hygienists and dental therapists are already registered with the GDC.  From today, other professionals who play a role in patients’ dental care, including dental nurses and dental technicians, will join the GDC’s registers.  Registration with the GDC means that dental professionals have met educational standards and that they are professionally accountable for their actions.

A survey, conducted by the GDC, found that 55% of adults in the UK believe that dental nurses currently need to be registered with a regulatory body before they can practise.  On being told that dental nurses did not need to be registered, two-thirds (67%) of adults thought that dental nurses should be.

GDC President Hew Mathewson said:

“UK dental patients are entitled to know that the people who deliver their dental care are properly trained and regulated; the GDC’s job is to protect patients and promote confidence in dental professionals in the UK through regulation.

“This new register, which has been developed over several years in consultation with the public and professionals, is designed to increase patient protection, raise public confidence in the whole dental team and provide better career pathways for dental professionals.  We will back up this approach with robust procedures to deal with those who cannot, or do not, meet the high standards required.”

Rosie Winterton MP, the Minister of State responsible for dentistry, said:

“When patients visit the dentist they want the confidence of knowing that any dental professional treating them is registered and regulated.  That is why I am delighted that the GDC is now registering dental nurses and other dental professionals.  This will not only protect patients, but it also acknowledges the hugely important role these dental care professionals play in offering patients first class care.”

Members of the public can check that their dental care professional is on the GDC’s registers on this website or by calling the GDC on 020 7887 3800.

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For media enquiries, please contact Rachel Lea on 020 7009 2782.

Notes to Editors

1. Statutory registration of all dental nurses, dental technicians, clinical dental technicians and orthodontic therapists is being introduced for the first time in the UK through this new register. 

2. The new register will sit alongside the Dentists Register, and will incorporate dental hygienists and dental therapists who are already statutorily registered with the GDC.

3. Dental nurses and technicians will be able to join the register from today, although registration for these two groups will not be compulsory until 31 July 2008.  A two-year transition period for dental nurses and technicians who have been working in their role for a number of years will allow these professionals to join the register on the basis of validated experience.  Dental nurses and technicians joining the register after 31 July 2008 will need to have a GDC-recognised qualification. 

4. Registration for two additional groups - clinical dental technicians and orthodontic therapists - will be compulsory from today.  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.

5. The General Dental Council is the organisation which regulates dental professionals in the UK.  All dentists, dental hygienists and dental therapists must be registered with us to practise in the United Kingdom - whether they work in the NHS, private practice or any other form of practice.

Our purpose is to protect patients by:

• registering qualified dental professionals,
• setting high standards of dental practice and behaviour,
• quality-assuring dental education,
• making sure dental professionals keep up to date,
• helping people who want to make a complaint about a dental professional,  and
• taking action if a dental professional is no longer safe to practise.

6. CommunicateResearch telephoned 1,010 GB adults on 19 and 20 July 2006.  Data were weighted to be representative of all adults.  Communicate Research is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.  Full tables, including regional results, are available at www.communicateresearch.com