Dental nurses and dental technicians who haven’t yet registered with the GDC, should do so now, the GDC urged today.

In a move to strengthen patient protection, registration with the GDC is now compulsory for all members of the dental team. Dental nurses and dental technicians must ensure they are registered by 30 July 2008.

The GDC will be accepting completed application forms right up to the last moment, but is urging those eligible for registration to apply before then.

“We have put huge effort into ensuring that no-one misses out on their opportunity to register,” said GDC President Hew Mathewson.

“The so-called transitional arrangements recognise that many dental nurses and dental technicians are experienced and confident thanks to doing their jobs well over a long time. But we cannot hold the door open for ever.

“We have registered literally thousands of dental nurses and dental technicians over the last few months. It would be a terrible shame if there were any who were eligible to apply on the basis of experience, but failed to do so. If you’re eligible and you haven’t applied yet, I urge you to do so now.

From 31 July 2008, you won’t be able to register with the GDC as a dental nurse or dental technician unless you have a current recognised qualification.

Current registrants need to take action too. Make sure your team colleagues are registered. If you work with unregistered colleagues after the 30 July deadline, you could be putting your own registration at risk.

For more information on registration, please call us on 0845 300 7794 (UK local rate) or email GDCregistration@gdc-uk.org. Registration application packs are available on this website.

The registration fee is £96 and will cover dental nurses and dental technicians up to July 2009.

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For media enquiries, please contact Jodie Ward on 020 7009 2746 or jward@gdc-uk.org.

Notes to editors:

1. The deadline for dental nurses and dental technicians to register is 30 July 2008. After this time it will be illegal to use the titles “dental nurse” or “dental technician” without being registered with the GDC.

2. Dental nurses and dental technicians who are in training don’t need to register with the GDC until they have finished their studies, but they will then need to register right away. Dental nurses and dental technicians are ‘in training’ if they are on a course leading to a registrable qualification or enrolled on a course that has yet to start.