Professionals complementary to dentistry (PCDs) will now be collectively known as dental care professionals (DCPs). The name change was agreed by the GDC at its September meeting, and applies to dental hygienists, dental therapists, and the four groups of professionals who will start registering with the General Dental Council (GDC) for the first time in July 2006. These are dental nurses, dental technicians, clinical dental technicians and orthodontic therapists. The change has been made in order to be consistent with terminology used in the Dentists Act which was recently amended to give the GDC a range of new powers, including the power to start registering other dental team members.

Hew Mathewson, President of the General Dental Council said, “The term ‘dental care professional’ sums up the important role these members of the dental team play in patient care. The name change does not affect the respective titles of the individual professions – a dental hygienist, will still be known as a dental hygienist, and a dental nurse will still be a dental nurse.” For more information about DCP registration visit www.gdc-uk.org