DCP registration is an extension of the General Dental Council’s powers to protect patients. Statutory Registration will mean that all people responsible for patient’s clinical dental care are registered and regulated.
The GDC already registered two DCP groups (dental hygienists and dental therapists), however in addition to this they will also be registering dental nurses, dental technicians, clinical dental technicians and orthodontic therapists
Registration will mean:
- Meeting certain criteria (such as having a qualification or being experienced at what you do) in order to get onto the register
- Behaving in an ethical and professional way
- Undertaking continuing professional development (CPD) to keep your knowledge and skills up to date
- Recognition as a professional and a vital part of the dental team.
Only DCPs registered with the GDC will be able to use certain titles which are reserved for them, e.g. only those registered with the GDC will be able to call themselves dental nurses.
DCPs holding registrable qualifications will be able to apply to register. However, some dental nurses and dental technicians will be able to register on the basis of their experience, but these transitional arrangements will only be available until 30 July 2008. After this date all new registrants will need a qualification.
There are two new DCP groups that will be registered with the GDC, Clinical Dental Technicians CDTs (also known as denturists) and orthodontic therapists. The GDC have stated both these DCP groups must be registered before they begin to practice, and they will only be able to register on the basis of qualifications, not experience.
A registration form is available from the GDC, this must be completed and sent to the GDC along with the required documentation as requested by them. If you are on the voluntary register held by the British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN) or the Dental Technicians Association DTA), you will be sent an application form. Otherwise to request a registration form email your details to dcpform@gdc-uk.org
The initial registration fee is £72; dental nurse and dental technicians who register at any time from 31 July 2006 – 30 July 2008 will not pay any further fees until July 2009. The GDC plans to introduce a payment scheme to allow dental nurses, and other dental care professionals, to pay their annual retention fee in two six monthly instalments. This should be in place by June 2008 and will apply to annual retention fees only, not the initial registration fee
All applicants must be able to prove their identity and that they have the necessary qualification (where applicable). A list of documents that can be used to prove identity is given in the guidance notes that come with the application form. Identity must be confirmed by a referee.
A referee, who is not a family member, must confirm the applicant’s good character. There is a list of people who can do this in the application guidance notes.
Every applicant must also provide a health certificate to show they are fit to practise. This can be done by any registered medical practitioner who is not a member of the applicants family. Further information is provided in the application pack.
Section 2 of the original form has now been replaced by forms A & B. Form A is for those dental nurses who do not work in a clinical environment e.g. dental nurse tutors. On completing this form they make a self declaration regarding their health status. However, should a dental nurse who has accessed the register in this way decide to undertake clinical work, they must provide the GDC with evidence of the appropriate immunisations. They are also required to complete and sign the health and character self declaration on page 7.
Form B is for those dental nurses who work in a clinical environment. If the dental nurse has worked in the same place for over 12 months, this form can be completed by the employing or supervising dentist. If the dental nurse has worked there for less that 12 months, this form will have to be completed by a medical practitioner (dental nurses may be charged a fee for this).
The person completing this section cannot be the same as who completed section 2.
When the DCP register opens, registered DCPs will be able to take part in ‘the business of dentistry’ this means being paid direct (in other words, by the patient) for providing dental treatment. Registered DCPs will be able to own their own practices, go into partnership with each other or dentists, and employ other members of the dental team.