Working Illegally Could Destroy Your Career: Don't Miss The Deadline, UK

Main Category: Dentistry
Also Included In: Litigation / Medical Malpractice
Article Date: 05 Sep 2007 - 2:00 PDT

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With the legal deadline for GDC registration fast approaching, dental nurses and dental technicians must act now to ensure they are registered in time. Nurses and technicians who delay could find themselves working illegally next summer, the consequences of which could be disastrous.

GDC registration licenses dental professionals to work in the UK; all dental nurses and dental technicians must be registered by 30 July 2008.

The GDC has simplified the application process and introduced new stream-lined application forms and at this year's Dental Showcase, 18 - 20 October, is offering an application checking and advice service at Stand Ax04.

A dedicated team of GDC staff will be on hand at their 'Registration Surgery' to answer questions, provide application forms, check applications and make sure they are complete and correct - well in advance of the July 2008 deadline.

If everything's in order they can take your completed form back to the office for processing. Completed forms and accompanying documents can be submitted by colleagues for those who can't make it themselves.

Hew Mathewson, GDC President, said:

"Dental nurses and technicians can't afford to keep putting registration off and now for those attending Dental Showcase there is no excuse to.

We are operating a virtual one-stop-shop for registrations throughout the exhibition, providing the forms, the advice, even checking they are correct and taking them back to the office for processing.

The responsibility also lies with dentists to ensure nurses and technicians with whom they work are registered: you put your own registration at risk if you work with unregistered colleagues. Please encourage your colleagues to apply now.

We look forward to seeing everyone at Stand Ax04 throughout the Showcase."

Dental nurses and technicians who would like to submit applications at the 'Registration Surgery' need to bring certified copies of all the relevant supporting documents, including proof of identity, as original documents will not be accepted on the day.

More information about DCP registration, including application forms, is available from the GDC website http://www.gdc-uk.org. You can also request an application form by contacting by email at mailto:GDCregistration@gdc-uk.org

Dental nurses and technicians must be registered by 30 July 2008. Registration is already compulsory for dentists, dental hygienists, dental therapists, clinical dental technicians and orthodontic therapists.

Dental nurses and technicians enrolled on a GDC-approved training programme will be able to work as a trainee without being registered with the GDC until they have finished their studies

Dental nurses and dental technicians who register now will not have to pay anything further until July 2009 when the first annual retention fee is due. That means they will enjoy two years of registration at the current price of £72. Registration fees for 2008 will be decided at the upcoming Council Meeting in September.

http://www.gdc-uk.org