The number of dentists on the UK Register, following the recent annual renewal period, has remained stable and in line with the trajectory of previous years. On the morning after removals there were 42,215 dentists on the Register, an increase on the equivalent figure for 2021.
This year, 1,079 dentists did not renew their registration, which is 2.56 per cent of those on the Register on December 31. This compares to an average of 2.96 per cent over the previous four years.
Gurvinder Soomal, GDC chief operating officer, said, “Following such a challenging period in dentistry which continues for many, it is encouraging to see the number of registered dentists in the UK remain stable.”
These figures provide a useful benchmark for the total number of dentists registered in the UK. However, it is important to note that they do not provide insight into the number of professionals working in different patterns (e.g. full time vs part time), how many dentists are working in NHS services compared to private practice, local workforce condition, or the numbers of professionals working in different roles (e.g. academia).
The General Dental Council (GDC) publishes monthly registration reports which provide further information.