Honourable retirement

Sir, when I took a career break from dentistry for health reasons I reluctantly relinquished my registration with the GDC as I felt the fee just to remain on the register as a retired member was just too much.

When I later enquired what my position was to rejoin the register I was told that I was 'removed for non-payment of fees', although I had advised the GDC that I would be retiring before stopping my direct debit payment. What is more my new registration certificate is now a 'Restoration certificate'.

The inference is that I have been removed from the register for default of my fee payment or some other misdemeanour, whereas that is not the case. There is no mechanism to retire from the GDC honourably and with an indication of a respectable career in our profession.