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Total number of UK registered dental care professionals increases following annual renewal

22 August, 2024
Total number of UK registered dental care professionals increases following annual renewal

The number of dental care professionals (DCPs) on the UK Register, following the recent annual renewal period, has increased again, compared with the trajectory of previous years. On the morning after removals there were 75,905 DCPs on the Register, an increase of 4,101 (5.7%) on the equivalent figure for 2023.  

This year, 3,236 DCPs did not renew their registration, which is 4.3% of those who had renewed their registration by 31 July. This compares to an average of 6.1% over the previous four years.  

DCP Annual Renewal fees20202021202220232024
ARF payments received (by 31 July)68,75169,55669,67671,76975,743
Other registrations11206910635106
Register count following removals268,87169,62569,78271,80475,905
Removals34,5624,6184,3773,5413,236
Removals as % of ARF payments received6.6%6.6%6.3%4.9%4.3%
1 The register numbers change daily. The register count includes ARF payments, restorations, Fitness to Practise retentions and new additions to the register (between 1 and 2 August for 2024).  
2 Register count in week following the renewal period (for 2024 this was 3 August).  
3 Reasons for removal include voluntary removal, non-payment, retirement, and notifications of death.  

The total numbers of the DCP professions on the Register as of 3 August were:

Professional title20232024
Clinical dental technician 404423
Dental hygienist 9,17710,055
Dental nurse 59,23862,364
Dental technician 5,0234,935
Dental therapist 5,5586,787
Orthodontic therapist 9571,093

This year, we are also providing a breakdown of removals by professional title for the last five years. The statistics show that the total number of DCPs removed was slightly lower than last year at 3,381, compared to 3,666 in 2023.  

Number of DCPS removed from the Register20202021202220232024
Clinical dental technician  118867
Dental hygienist  275262244172191
Dental nurse  3,9814,0313,9413,1892,875
Dental technician  343317261210185
Dental therapist  81979278112
Orthodontic therapist  1010101111
These figures provide a useful benchmark for the total number of DCPs registered in the UK. However, it is important to note that they do not provide insight into the number of professionals working in different patterns (e.g. full-time vs part time), how many DCPs are working in NHS services compared to private practice or local workforce condition. The working pattern data, collected on a voluntary basis as part of the DCP annual renewal, which was completed by 58% of DCPs, will be available in the Autumn 2024. 
 
While the register is constantly changing, what we invariably see (for both the dentist and DCP registers) is that over the course of the year, the number of registered professionals changes due to new registrations, and as professionals leave the Register for a range of reasons.  
  
Last year we made it easier for dental professionals to restore their name to the registers so that they can continue to practise in the UK. This important change means that dental professionals who have been off the register for less than 12 months and have always complied with CPD, are able to sign a declaration that it is up to date, rather than send us a copy of their full CPD record.  
 
We also publish monthly registration reports and an annual registration statistical report, which provide further information.