Reactions to 2016 ARF freeze

Following a special meeting of the GDC Council, the GDC announced that the ARF for dentists will remain at £890 – 55 per cent higher than the 2014 fee - and for dental care professionals will be £116.

The regulator’s council voted unanimously to keep the ARF unchanged, following a consultation that drew 907 responses. Council members were asked to choose between the status quo and a small reduction in the fee level to £840.

Earlier this month, FGDP responded to the GDC’s consultation on the fee by saying it could not support the sustenance of this year’s ‘extraordinarily high’ ARF into next year, citing the GDC’s poor performance, the ARF being significantly higher than for similar health professions, and the lack of explanation by the GDC of the doubling of its caseload. The Faculty also rejected the GDC’s plans, central to the decision, to use the ARF to build up further financial reserves.