BDA accuses GDC of hoarding registrants’ money

The British Dental Association (BDA) has accused the General Dental Council (GDC) of stockpiling financial reserves at a time when its registrants are being charged unprecedented high fees.

Currently, the GDC is planning to maintain its annual retention fee for dentist registrants at 890 pounds – the highest rate paid by any comparable UK health profession. However, in the last three years, the GDC has never been left with less than 13 million pounds in its current account, in addition to the more than ten million pounds in its reserves.

BDA analysis has indicated that the GDC's approach is flawed, indicating that key savings could enable the regulator to easily remain financially sustainable, while focusing on its statutory duties.

It has told the regulator that it can and should set a fee level for dentists of no more than 500 pounds for 2016/17, in order to ensure dental professionals are not shouldering a heavier financial burden than is fair and justifiable.

Mick Armstrong, chair of the BDA, said: "Setting the annual retention fee at no more than 500 pounds for 2016 would send the clearest possible signal that the GDC is finally prepared to live within its means and focus on its day job."