GDC launches consultation on annual retention fee policy

The General Dental Council (GDC) has launched a consultation on the approach it intends to take when setting an annual retention fee for registrants.

By soliciting the views of stakeholders and industry professionals, the GDC hopes to address common questions about the mandatory payment that all registrants are legally required to pay.

A 2013 review showed many dentists are unsure as to why the fee is charged, the language the GDC uses when levying the payment, what the money is spent on, why registrants are charged different amounts and in what circumstances the fee may be increased.

This consultation – which runs until June 4th 2014 – aims to answer these queries, while also seeking views on the approach the organisation will use when setting fees in the future.

The GDC said: "Receiving registrants' views on the approach that we intend to take will allow us to be clearer with our registrants if we do need to change the fee levels in the future."

It comes after the council also launched a separate consultation on changes to its Standards for Education and Preparing for Practice documents earlier in the month.