Lawyers instructed by the British Dental Association (BDA) have written to the General Dental Council (GDC) pointing to fundamental failings in its consultation over proposed increases to the annual retention fee (ARF).
The BDA has challenged the lawfulness of the consultation, which it claims is being run without an official GDC policy and rests on inaccurate and unreliable evidence.
The BDA is also requesting that the GDC disclose data on the financial projections that have underpinned this controversial increase. The BDA has indicated its intention to apply for judicial review if its concerns are not addressed.
The GDC, which has come under fire for mismanagement, flawed processes and poor governance, has until August 8 2014 to formulate its response.
Mick Armstrong, chair of the British Dental Association’s (BDA’s) Principal Executive Committee (PEC), said:
“We have one simple message for the GDC. It’s time to shut down this flawed consultation.
“Yes, Judicial Review is a big step. It’s a bigger step for a regulator to launch into a process half cocked, with no official policy and unreliable evidence. It’s the foundation any credible consultation would rest upon.
“Dentists demand decent regulation and a fair consultation on fees. We urge the GDC to do the right thing, and call time on this consultation.”