Annual registration fees for dentists continue to exceed those paid by other UK health professionals, according to analysis reported by GDPUK.
Cogora’s review shows the General Dental Council (GDC) annual retention fee for dentists has increased to £698 in 2026. This compares with £481 for doctors regulated by the General Medical Council and £441 for pharmacists registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council. The GDC’s fee level remains the highest among the major UK health regulators.
The GDC noted that while dentists pay more, around two‑thirds of its registrants are dental care professionals who pay a lower annual fee of £108. It also highlighted factors such as a smaller register, rising complaint volumes, and the cost of managing fitness to practise cases.
The British Dental Association said the GDC continues to stand out on fee levels. Although charges fell after reaching £890 in 2019, they have since risen again, increasing 12% this year to their highest point since 2019.
Helen Kaney, head of dental division at MDDUS, told GDPUK that dentists should expect a regulator that operates efficiently and proportionately, particularly as complaint numbers increase. She said lower‑level concerns should be resolved locally where appropriate, enabling the GDC to focus on serious fitness to practise matters.
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