When we launched Vital last November I wrote that the time was right for a publication for the whole dental team. I was wrong. Judging by the flow of letters, e-mails and phonecalls we've received over the last few months, it seems the magazine was in fact well overdue.

In fact, there were just three words on the lips of most team members who were handed a copy of Vital at Dental Showcase in Birmingham - ‘it's about time!’

We heard the phrase so many times we even considered using it as a new strapline.

The response to Vital has been heartening, but it also unearths a depth of feeling among team members that should not be underestimated. A consequence of compulsory registration is that PCDs are realising the importance of what they do and that it should be recognised. Dental teams will be overlooked no longer.

As registration comes ever closer, in this issue of Vital we look at some of the groups who are not yet required to register - practice managers and receptionists and the controversial area of laboratory assistants. For those of you who do face registration this year, our flowchart on page 20 should help make the process more straightforward.

For dental nurses, registration should lead to higher status and further career opportunities. Gemma Jones raised the issue of career pathways for dental nurses in the last issue of Vital, particularly for those nurses who do not wish to take the hygiene or therapy route. On page 22 we look at the myriad of opportunities opening up for dental nurses.

As team members become more qualified the future is bright. Margaret Ross, President-Elect of the BDHA, believes the overall delivery of dentistry is about to change. As a shortage of dentists causes concern throughout the UK, Margaret questions whether the newly qualified generation of Hygienist-therapists, or Oral Health Practitioners, could step in to fill the gap on page 33. It seems there has never been a more exciting time to join a dental team.

All of these changes are only the beginning.

It's about time.