What is Statutory Registration?

Dentists & Hygienists are already registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) which is done in order to provide better standards of care. Dental nurses & other dental care professionals (DCPs) will be required to register from July 2008. www.gdc-uk.org.

Who Will Have To Register?

Dentists
Dental Hygienists
Dental Therapists
Dental Nurses
Dental Technicians
Clinical Dental Technicians
Maxillofacial prosthetists and technologists
Orthodontic therapists

Why Register?

The titles listed above will be reserved by law for registered DCPs. If you want to work as a DCPs in the United Kingdom you will have to register, otherwise you will be breaking the law.

Qualifications Accepted For Dental Nurse Registration

S/NVQ Oral Healthcare Dental Nursing Level 3
National Certificate for Dental Nurses
Dental Hospital Certificate of Proficiency
EEA qualification which is recognised by the GDC

What If I Have No Formal Qualifications But Years Of Experience - Can I Apply To Register?

DCPs who are not professionally qualified, but have had over 4 consecutive years fulltime experience within the last 8 years (or part time equivalent of 1000 plus days), may be eligible to join the register during a two-year ‘transitional period’ between 2006-2008. Your experience must, however, we verified by a dental professional. During this time, you can apply to go on the register and the GDC will assess whether your training and experience is enough to be a registered DCPs.

Dental nurses who have acquired over 500 days experience in the 2 years prior to registration who want to join the statutory register without obtaining a qualification will need to fulfil the 6 competency requirements below;

o Infection control procedures
o CPR, medical emergencies & common dental emergencies
o Health & safety
o Ionising radiation
o Personal development planning, CPD and reflective learning skills
o Working in a practice

At the end of the two-year period you will not be able to join the register based on experience alone.

Please note that you will not be considered a qualified dental nurse, or be able to access postgraduate & hygienist training if you are not qualified.

What If I Have An Overseas Qualification?

The GDC are responsible for assessing the qualifications of overseas Dentists & Hygienists. If full registration is not granted then they will recommend the individual takes an aptitude examination & has a period of training. The same procedures will be applicable with Statutory dental nurse registration.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE INFORMATION REGARDING STATUTORY REGISTRATION IS BEING UPDATED CONSTANTLY. FOR UP TO DATE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT THE GDC ON WWW.GDC-UK.ORG