Over 700 dentists missed their annual registration renewal deadline with the General Dental Council (GDC).
Figures from the GDC show that 723 dentists did not re-register and were removed, while 737 voluntarily removed themselves, and 96 applications have been made for restoration to the register. The number of dentists that did complete their registration renewal was 38,539.
The deadline was 31 December 2012 and those who failed to pay the annual retention fee (ARF) will now have to apply to restore to the register, in order to work legally in the UK.
Dentists who didn’t pay on time and want to return to the register must:
• Complete a form to apply for restoration;
• Have a medical examination and provide a character reference;
• Pay a fee of £696 plus an additional £84 per specialty title held;
• Give evidence that they have completed the required amount of continuing professional development (CPD);
• If they were practising overseas while off the Register, they must provide a certificate of good standing from the relevant authority of the country/state in which they last worked;
• If they were working in the UK while their name was erased from the Register, they and their employer will need to explain the circumstances in a letter. If this has occurred they are advised to contact their solicitor or defence organisation before submitting their application.