BDA details extensive case against GDC plans for ARF increase

The British Dental Association (BDA) has laid out its full argument against the General Dental Council's (GDC's) controversial planned annual retention fee (ARF) increase.

In its official response to the GDC's consultation on the issue, the industry body provided an independent financial analysis of the consultation document, suggesting that the planned 64 percent ARF rise is unjustifiable and will have a harmful impact on dentists nationwide.

Furthermore, it urged the GDC to revert to its established 2010 policy of increasing ARF in line with inflation, while listing the ways in which it believes the regulator has behaved improperly in mishandling this consultation and failing to justify the extraordinary fee increase.

The BDA also confirmed that it will be using this submission as the basis for a challenge by way of judicial review if the GDC does not back down.

Mick Armstrong, chair of the BDA's principal executive committee, said: "The GDC now faces a simple choice: step back from this flawed fee rise or face a legal challenge. We are confident in our arguments and ready to take any and all action necessary to stop it."

Last month, the BDA slammed the GDC for launching a new campaign with the Advertising Standards Authority to combat irresponsible marketing, describing this as a "vanity project".