To register as a dental care professional (DCP) with the GDC, you must provide information about your professional training, character and health. These checks are an essential part of our work to protect the public.

One of the health requirements is confirmation of immunity to Hepatitis B. Those of you working in a clinical environment will already have been vaccinated, but if you have no written proof you will need to be tested. This can take quite a few weeks to arrange so leaving your application for registration to the last minute may mean you are unable to gain the necessary proof before the July 2008 deadline, subsequently risking your ability to work. Indeed, you may lose the opportunity to register completely if you are planning to apply on the basis of your experience. From 31 July this year, you will only be able to register if you possess one of the modern qualifications.

Dental nurses and dental technicians who work in a clinical environment are able to ask either their employing or supervising dentist, or doctor, to sign the health certificate on the application form. You will need to have worked with the employing or supervising dentist signing your health certificate for at least twelve months and provide evidence of your original immunisation certificates to them.

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.