ARF will remain unchanged for 2021

The annual retention fee (ARF) for 2021 will not change, the General Dental Council (GDC) has confirmedThe annual retention fee (ARF) for 2021 will not change, the General Dental Council (GDC) has confirmed.

At a meeting last week, the council made a number of decisions relating to its plans and costs for next year.

The regulator reveals it has planned on the basis of a 10% reduction in its income and, as a result, has cut its budget by 6.5%.

It states this is due to the questions and uncertainties surrounding COVID-19 and Brexit. Additionally, the ARF will remain unchanged for 2021.

Upcoming obstacles

‘COVID-19 has been very challenging for the dental sector. The country is now experiencing the long-expected second wave of the pandemic,’ said Ian Brack, chief executive of the GDC.

‘This is expected to impact on the professions we regulate. We do not know how this will affect the register.

‘The GDC has no option but to continue to undertake its statutory duties but faces very great uncertainty. Some of the risks we face include smaller numbers joining the professions and larger numbers leaving.

‘As well as disruption to the flow of overseas registrants as a consequence of our exit from the EU, and the potential delays in students qualifying to register due to interruptions in education caused by the pandemic.’

Flexibility

He added: ‘In addition to these income risks we have considerable uncertainty in relation to significant elements of expenditure.

‘For example, in relation to legislative change relating to overseas registration.

‘For these reasons, we have sought to maximise our resilience and the flexibility of our plans whilst continuing to provide certainty for dental professionals in relation to the fee.’


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