Winter! Snowmen, mulled wine, squidgy puddings, roaring fires, pretty scarves, ice rinks, presents, cosy evenings … any number of clichés spring to mind. What better season to put the pressing issues of registration and all it entails to the back of your mind?

We can see you, cowering down there behind the reception counter! Judging by recent figures, thousands of dental nurses have yet to register with the GDC. Either they (you?) are all planning to head down to the job centre come July 2008, or there is going to be a last minute rush to register with the GDC. Did you know that if you register before the end of 2007, you will save £24? So don't delay, fill in your form today! If you're still feeling a bit baffled by the whole procedure, turn to page 40 where the finer points are explained.

Not only does this issue of Vital offer you a helping hand to take that first step to registration, but we also cover the niggling issue of CPD in more detail: what it is, how you can get it, and how it needn't be a burden on your life. Staying up-to-date and improving your skills is, after all, in the interests of your whole team and of course your patients, as Kathryn Marshall explains (page 42).

We continue in this vein with Cathy Stillman-Lowe's comprehensive look at what oral health advice you should be giving your patients, including the latest recommendations for smokers (page 15 onwards). You may find that this is particularly helpful just now with the smoking ban inspiring more people to try and quit – or it may be a New Year resolution.

Good communication is at the heart of any solid, motivated team. If you hope to match the high-fliers in our day in the life article (page 34) then put reading our article Are you lost in translation? (page 22) at the top of your ‘to do’ list. Author Christine MacLeavy says ‘a successful team communicates with each other honestly and regularly.’ Does yours measure up?

If your team has found a novel way to get motivated and consequently offer top notch customer service, or if you're employing innovative new technology in your practice, or even if you plan to make history like orthodontic therapist Melanie Bubb (page 26), Vital readers want to hear from you, so drop me a line. Make 2008 your time to shine!

With Seasons Greetings,

Kate Maynard, Editor k.maynard@nature.com