Annual GDC registration requires that dental professionals:
- pay the annual retention fee (ARF)
- make an indemnity declaration
- make a continuing professional development (CPD) statement.
Failure to complete any of the above may mean removal from the GDC register. Practising while unregistered, however temporarily, is illegal, meaning you would be liable to prosecution under The Dentists Act 1984.
If you missed the payment deadline, or your ARF payment has not been received or processed, or you have been removed from the register for reasons listed above, it's important to know what to do and you must act swiftly.
I am no longer registered
- You must not provide any advice, including telephone or remote advice or triage.
- You must not treat patients (including temporarily) until your registration has been reinstated. You may need to cancel patients or arrange for them to be seen by a colleague.
- Your DDU membership will automatically cease upon removal from the GDC register, unless the MDU board of management decides to retain you in membership.
- Remember that practising without indemnity is against GDC guidance and in breach of the NHS GDS regulations. In the event of a successful negligence claim against you by a patient, you would be personally liable for any damages and legal costs incurred.
- The GDC circulates a list of people who have been removed from the register for non-payment of their ARF to UK primary care organisations, health boards and indemnity providers.
How can I be restored to the GDC register?
You will need to complete and submit a restoration application form accessed via the GDC website. Ideally this should be sent by registered post, and you should retain the certificate of posting.
In addition to completing the application form, you will need to provide the following supporting documents:
- a character reference by another professional who has known you for over 12 months
- a health and self-declaration form
- a completed CPD record
- evidence of your knowledge of English
- evidence of identity certified by your character referee
- the restoration fee (this depends on your profession and when you apply for restoration).
You may also need to pay the ARF - see GDC website for details.
How can I prevent this from happening in the future?
- Make a diary reminder or note a few weeks/days before the annual renewal is due, both for yourself and for any staff you employ or manage.
- Paying your ARF by Direct Debit may help to avoid missing the deadline. If you choose to do this, be sure to check that this has been received/debited from your account.
- Check that you have been re-registered for the following year at least two weeks before your renewal deadline.
- Your annual practising certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after your payment has been processed to the registered address that the GDC hold for you, so it's important to check this is up to date.
I am a practice owner and a GDC registrant - am I liable for the registration of others in my practice?
Yes. If you employ or manage an unregistered dental professional in your practice, you could be liable for fitness to practise proceedings and possible erasure from the GDC register.
It's important to check the registration status of all dental professionals in your practice before their employment starts, and shortly before their GDC renewal is due.
This page was correct at publication on 25/01/2022. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.