DENTAL CARE PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS WELCOME THE NEW REGISTER

Michelle Brindley, President of the British Association of Dental Nurses, said:

"The British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN) is delighted that the new General Dental Council (GDC) Register has opened today - 13 years after the Nuffield Inquiry recommended that dental nurses should be registered with the GDC.

"The primary importance of dental nurse registration is, of course, that it protects the patient who can now be sure that every member of the dental team involved in their clinical care is a regulated professional accountable for their own actions. But registration also recognises the important role played by the dental nurse in the dental team - a role long overlooked by many dentists who forget how difficult it would be to run a dental surgery without a dental nurse.

"I would urge all dental nurses to make sure they have the correct facts on registration - either from the GDC themselves or by visiting our new registration facts website www.dentalnurseregistration.org.uk. There's a lot of misinformation out there - don't rely on the dental equivalent of "a man I met in a pub told me.." - make sure you find out for yourself!"


Hazel J Fraser, President of British Association of Dental Therapists, said:

"I think that registration for the whole dental team is a good opportunity for the vital roles of dental care professionals to be recognised and for the career progression which they deserve. It will promote and encourage professional and personal development among the team members. All members of the dental team who have to register will be individually accountable and responsible for their own actions and for the treatment which they carry out. It means that there will be robust procedures in place to deal with those who do not meet the high standards required of the profession and therefore patients will have reassurance about the fitness to practise of all those registered."


Margaret Ross, President of the British Dental Hygienists' Association, said:

"The British Dental Hygienists' Association (BDHA) welcomes the forthcoming changes for all dental care professionals (DCPs), and particularly those for dental hygienists. The new framework will provide greater flexibility for the provision of dental care, improve access and provide a greater level of protection for patients. The proposals indicate that dental hygienists will have more autonomy to treat patients within their own level of competence, following referral from a dental practitioner.

"BDHA has campaigned for many years for a broader role for dental hygienists in recognition of their professional skills, and the proposed changes are an important first step. We look forward to further developments to enable dental hygienists to contribute more directly to the care of the patient."


Alan Petrie, Chairman of Dental Laboratories Association, said:

"The Dental Laboratories Association is extremely pleased that registration is now a reality, even though we now face the challenge of ensuring a smooth and logical process of registration of laboratory assistants. It has always been the view of the DLA that registration is a positive step that will enable dental technology - and dental technicians - to take a greater role in the industry and make the most of the new business opportunities that have arisen."


Tony Griffin, President of the Dental Technologists Association (UK), said:

"The opportunity for all dental care professionals to work in closer harmony as a team is essential to provide modern dental care services. Patient care will benefit from an increased direct involvement of dental technicians. The artistic ability, skills and novel design approaches provide opportunity for varied choice, and allow dentistry to meet the customer's wants and needs. This will then enhance patient choice, satisfaction and healthcare. Access to high quality dental care can be enhanced and modernised by real team involvement and the sharing of opportunities."


Peter Meeds, Chair of Clinical Dental Technologists Association, said:

"The Clinical Dental Technologists Association (CDTA) has relentlessly pursued its aim of seeing clinical dental technology become a recognised profession in the UK.

"Some see registration as the end - the end of what went before, the end of existing practices (good, bad or indifferent) and the exertion of further control over their beleaguered profession.

"Others adopt a different perspective, one of opportunity, one of fluidity within dentistry, one of constantly evolving roles, one of accountability, one of professional recognition and ultimately how this will modernise the delivery of dental care in the UK.

"I would like to think I am in the second camp and that my new regulatory body will be the catalyst of opportunity for all DCPs."


Paul Mallett, Secretary of Orthodontic Technicians Association (UK), said:

"The Orthodontic Technicians Association (OTA) (UK) are delighted that several years of hard work and determination have now resulted in something, we as dedicated orthodontic technologists and technicians all across this country can be justly proud of. We will now have the professional standing that has been long-deserved.

"The road to General Dental Council (GDC) registration for dental care professionals (DCPs), and more specifically dental technologists and technicians, has been a hard one. And is, in the majority of cases, the result of many unpaid hours of dedication to this cause. It also, for the first time in my memory, saw all DCP groups unite, put aside their political differences and work shoulder to shoulder for the benefit of their fellow DCP colleagues, and, yes, ultimately the benefit of the British public at large.

"The OTA (UK) will continue to support the work of the GDC through future consultations and will continue to support our members' professional registration through our ongoing provision of high quality continuing professional development opportunities, and other relevant services."


Janet Robins, Chief Executive of the Orthodontic National Group for Dental Nurses and Orthodontic Therapists, said:

"Orthodontic National Group for Dental Nurses and Orthodontic Therapists (ONG) welcomes the opening of the dental care professional (DCP) register and the new classes of registrants. ONG in preparation has initiated, developed and launched the Certificate Orthodontic Nursing as accredited prior learning for orthodontic therapists. This new category of registrants will bring extended duties and a career structure for orthodontic dental nurses. It is an exciting time for the profession of dental nursing."

Follow these links for additional information:

Regulating the dental team:
http://www.gdc-uk.org/Potential registrant/Regulating the dental team

Transitional arrangements:
http://www.gdc-uk.org/Potential registrant/Regulating the dental team/Transitional arrangements.htm

How to apply for registration:
http://www.gdc-uk.org/Potential registrant/Apply for registration