The General Dental Council (GDC) has announced that there were will be no increase in the annual retention fee (ARF) in 2012 for either dentists or dental care professionals (DCPs).

This means that dentists will pay £576 by 31 December 2011 and DCPs will pay £120 by 31 July 2012.

The decision to keep the fee at 2011 levels is in line with both the GDC's own strategy and the Government's Command Paper Enabling Excellence, ensuring GDC resources are managed effectively, efficiently and sustainably.

Meanwhile Dr Alison Lockyer, who resigned both as a member and Chair of the GDC in May, has welcomed the news that the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE) is to investigate the concerns she raised following her resignation.

In May Dr Lockyer wrote to the Secretary of State for Health raising a concern over the relationship between the appointed Council and the Executive of the GDC and the way the dental profession is currently regulated. Dr Lockyer's second concern questioned the suitability of the GDC's own internal procedures to deal with complaints made against one of its officers.

In welcoming the news that these complaints will be investigated, Dr Lockyer has asked colleagues to understand that she is unable to make any further comment on this matter while the CHRE undertakes its investigation.