DCP registration - important notice

Registration of DCPs:

Since the new DCP register opened in July 2006, the GDC has sent out some thirty three thousand application packs to potential registrants. They have received only four thousand back and currently there are some 1800 new DCPs on the Register; of these only 1158 are dental nurses (figures as of 8^th March 2007). Application packs are dispatched within seven days of request and the GDC is currently able to turn round applications within eight weeks and its target is for a five week processing time.

The GDC is very keen to avoid a mad rush at the end of the transitional period, which closes in July 2008 and my strong advice is for dental nurses and dental technicians to make sure their application is with the GDC no later than the end of March 2008 to avoid being not on the register at the end of July 2008. There is no financial reason not to apply now as the registration fee covers the whole of the transitional period and the first full year of registration – up to July 2009.