“Stop hoarding registrants’ money”

The GDC has proposed maintaining the annual retention fee (ARF) for dentist registrants at £890, the highest rate paid by any comparable UK health profession. BDA analysis has identified that the GDC’s approach is flawed, and has set out key savings that would enable the regulator to easily remain financially sustainable while focusing on its statutory duties.

The BDA has also published legal advice indicating that the regulator's consultation is potentially unlawful. The GDC was previously defeated in the High Court in judicial review proceedings over its handling of the consultation for the 2015/16 ARF.

Mick Armstrong, chair of the British Dental Association, said: 

“After defeat in the High Court we had hoped the GDC might actually have learned its lesson on transparency. Sadly the regulator has served up another fees consultation with a familiar line in disinformation and predetermined results.  

“The regulator is continuing to overstep its remit, and is still expecting registrants to pay for that excess. So we have set out to identify straightforward and immediate savings that ensure that the GDC can deliver on its core functions.