Health Guidance for Dental Care Professionals (DCPs)

(Section 2: Application Form)

The registration application process enables the GDC to assess an applicant’s fitness to carry out their professional duties. DCPs applying for registration need to provide certain information about their professional training, character and health. These checks are an essential part of the Council’s work to protect the public.

Dental nurses, dental technicians, dental hygienists, dental therapists, clinical dental technicians and orthodontic therapists who work in clinical environment with patients are able to ask either their employing or supervising dentist, or a doctor to sign their health certificate on their application form (section 2).  The DCP will need to have worked with their employing or supervising dentist signing their health certificate for at least 12 months and provide evidence of their original immunisation certificates them. 

A DCP who does not have written proof of immunity to Hepatitis B will need to have this tested which can take quite a few weeks to arrange. Leaving an application for registration to the last minute may mean they are unable to gain the necessary proof before the July 2008 deadline, subsequently risking their ability to work. Indeed, they may lose the opportunity to register completely if planning to apply on the basis of their experience.

Dental nurses and dental technicians who do not work in a clinical environment are not required to provide a health certificate signed by a doctor or supervising dentist, but will need to make a self-declaration about their health and confirm they do not have any clinical contact with patients.

The dentist or doctor signing the health certificate on the application form, can sign the identity and character reference also.

Additional guidance for applicants and their referees on the health certificate requirements for registration should be downloaded here