The report reveals that in December 2024 there were 125,736 registered dental professionals: 46,362 dentists and 79,374 dental care professionals (DCPs). This is a 2.6 per cent increase in dentists and 6.1 per cent in DCPs compared to 2023.
The most significant change in the register was the 23.5 per cent increase in dental therapists with 1,402 new registrations, and the 9.6 per cent increase in dental hygienists, with 921 new registrations. The number of dental nurses increased by 3,349 (5.4 per cent).
The report shows that 53 per cent of dentists who joined the register in 2024 were UK-qualified, 30 per cent were EEA or rest of the world-qualified and 16 per cent came through the Overseas Registration Examination (ORE) route.
Although the number of dental professionals increased overall, the number of dental technicians declined for the fifth year in a row. With only 5,025 now registered, there are almost 10 per cent fewer dental technicians compared to 2020.
The registration teams assessed 12,978 applications across all routes, an increase of 13.1 per cent on the previous highest number of applications processed in 2023 (11,476).
There were 9,888 additions to the registers in 2024 (2,164 dentists and 7,724 DCPs).
The report provides an overview of registration activity throughout 2024, including detailed information on the number of dental professionals, registration trends, and demographic profiles covering sex, age, and ethnicity.
The data reveals that:
- The dental register is predominantly female with 78 per cent of all dental professionals identifying as female (53 per cent of dentists and 93 per cent of DCPs).
- Dental nurses make up over 50 per cent of all those registered with the GDC; 97 per cent of dental nurses are female.
- Thirty per cent of dentists are of Asian or Asian British ethnic origin, three times higher when compared to the total UK population.
- Forty-seven per cent of dentists said they are from white ethnic groups, compared to 75 per cent of DCPs.
Theresa Thorp, executive director of regulation for the GDC, said, "The significant growth we've seen in registered dental professionals throughout 2024 is encouraging news for dental services across the UK.
“The report highlights the diversity of routes through which dental professionals are joining the register. Our teams have processed a record number of applications and we're seeing the results of our ongoing work to maintain efficient registration processes. However, the continued decline in dental technicians for the fifth consecutive year remains a concern that requires attention from the wider dental sector.”
For more information visit https://www.gdc-uk.org/docs/default-source/reports-and-publications/gdc-registration-statistics-report-2024.pdf?sfvrsn=17fb911_6