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A question in 2011's Vital readership survey asked readers who pays for their indemnity insurance. Alarmingly, a number of respondents wrote ‘not applicable’. This is despite the fact that the GDC requires every registrant to ensure that they have indemnity arrangements in place so that patients can be compensated in the event of a claim. In our increasingly litigious society, it's essential that you are covered. Read more on page 45 in the first of a series of articles not to be missed from the DDU.

If you're struggling to cope with the many pressures of being a registered DCP in 2012, not to mention your life outside work, our cover star Christine Macleavy's advice that ‘a daily dose of laughter is essential’ may come in useful.

Just reading through Christine's jam-packed CV exhausted me … but the good news is, if you're feeling inspired to expand your skills, this issue contains our annual DCP course directory – which is longer than ever before (page 14).

Another lady going by the name of Christine, dental nurse Ms Horbury, is so motivated to achieve that not only is she about to graduate from university, but she has already signed up for a Master's course starting in the autumn. Read about her journey on page 38.

As always, this issue of Vital offers two hours of verifiable CPD. I am pleased to announce that you now have the option to pay for postal CPD by the hour, and you can also send one payment for multiple team members. Learn more on pages 51-54.

Kate Maynard Editor www.facebook.com/vitalmagazine