The General Dental Council has agreed new registration fee levels for 2005. Subject to Privy Council approval, fees in 2005 for dentists will be £396 for the retention fee, while first registration is £33 per month or part thereof from the first month in which the entry is made until 31 December of that year.

The temporary registration fee is £396 while the restoration fee is £100 The new fees mean a retention fee increase of £8 (2%) which the Council claims will help it deal with any unpredicted increases in expenditure, and reduce any future increases.

The GDC also looked again at the issue of a discounted fee for over 65s, and confirmed that that there will be no discounts for particular groups of registrants, including dentists on the Keeping in Touch with Dentistry Scheme (KITS) and dentists over 65. This will also apply to dentists who hold temporary registration with the Council who, from next year, will pay the same as those with full registration.