FGDP questions GDC’s controversial annual retention fee increase

The Faculty of General Dental Practice (FGDP) has added its voice to the chorus of industry bodies calling on the General Dental Council (GDC) to reconsider its annual retention fee (ARF) stance.

Responding to the recent judicial review that found the GDC's running of its consultation on the ARF to be unlawful, the organisation said the outcome of the court case was "alarming", adding that its members have been concerned about the significant nature of the increase.

Despite the outcome of the judicial review, the GDC moved ahead with the ARF increase as planned, with dentists having to pay the elevated fee by December 31st 2014 in order to retain their registration.

However, both the FGDP and the British Dental Association (BDA) have argued that the GDC's handling of this matter has undermined the industry's faith in the regulatory body, with the FGDP suggesting that a review of the issue would help to rebuild trust.

Trevor Ferguson, dean of the FGDP, said: "Patients and the profession need a dental regulator in which they have both trust and confidence."

The BDA has written to the government asking it to step in and take action over this issue, as it believes the court's ruling – which did not prevent the GDC from enacting the ARF increase – has allowed it to "escape the full weight of the law".