Increase in number of registered DCPs, reports the GDC
The number of dental care professionals (DCPs) on the UK Register, following the recent annual renewal period, has risen when compared with the trajectory of previous years.
After removals there were 71,769 DCPs on the register, an increase of 2,093 on the equivalent figure for 2022.
This year, 3,541 DCPs did not renew their registration, which is 4.9 per cent of those who had renewed their registration by 31 July. This compares to an average of 6.4 per cent over the previous four years.
The number of DCPs removed was lower than last year for all titles with the exception of orthodontic therapists where there was a slight increase.
The number of dental nurses removed from the Register fell by 752 compared to last year, with the total number on the register standing at 59,238 at the time of compilation. The numbers of other professions on the register as of 3 August were as follows: clinical dental technician, 404; dental hygienist, 9,177; dental technician, 5,023; dental therapist, 5,558; orthodontic therapist, 957.
These figures provide a useful benchmark for the total number of DCPs registered in the UK. However, the GDC said it was 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 DCPs are working in NHS services compared with private practice or local workforce conditions.
While workforce planning does not lie within the GDC’s statutory remit, it has have stated its intention to gather, with the support of stakeholders, some simple workforce data as part of the annual renewal of dentists’ registration, providing that it does not disrupt the renewal process, to inform the discussion on this important issue.
“While the register is constantly changing, what we invariably see – for both the dentist and DCP registers – is that over the course of the year, the number of registered professionals fluctuates due to new registrations, and as professionals leave the register for a range of reasons,” said the GDC in a statement.
“This year, we have made it easier for dental professionals to restore their name to the registers so that they can continue to practise in the UK. This important change means that dental professionals who have been off the register for less than 12 months and have always complied with CPD, are able to sign a declaration that it is up to date, rather than send us a copy of their full CPD record.”
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