Advice for completing applications
UK Dentist Graduates
This advice sheet is aimed to assist you in your application for full registration.
In order to help us to process your application as quickly as possible, please read and refer to these
guidance notes before filling in the application form to ensure that all information is included when
you submit your form. Applicants can often experience delays in the processing of their applications
in cases where some information has not been submitted to us.
In addition to this advice sheet please read the guidance notes found at the end of the application
form.
Complete Applications
Processing times are dependent upon receipt of a complete application. In order to avoid any
unnecessary delays it is advisable for completed application forms and fees to be returned to the
General Dental Council (GDC) in good time.
Please ensure you have completed the form correctly and that you have included all requested
documents, as incomplete forms will take longer to process and may lead to your application
being returned.
An application is considered complete when all of the required documents have been provided in
accordance with the Council’s standards as detailed on the following pages.
If registration is granted, an original Annual Practising Certificate will be sent to your address. You
may also search your registration on the online Registers on the Council’s website www.gdc-uk.org.
If your name is included in the Register you are registered for the period that is stated on the online
register.
When all of the requirements have been met, please return your application form to the person at
your Dental school who is coordinating the return of applications. They will send your completed
application by post to:
UK Registration Team
General Dental Council
37 Wimpole Street
London
W1G 8DQ
Contact Us
If you are unclear about any matter, please telephone the Customer Advice & Information Team on
020 7887 3800 or email us at registration@gdc-uk.org.
Guidance for completing the application form and supporting
documentation
The following items must be completed/submitted for applications to be processed:

a completed application form

certified proof of identity

inclusion of the appropriate method of payment, e.g. cheque or postal order made
payable to the General Dental Council or GDC; and

Graduation pass list from your Dental school. (The Dean's office sends these
directly to the GDC – Please note that we are unable to process applications if
the list has not been received by the GDC).
In certain circumstances (please see below), you may need to provide the following
supporting evidence:

Certificate(s) of good standing

Evidence of name change
Please note that certified copies must meet all of the following criteria:
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The document must be a first generation photocopy (i.e. a photocopy of the
original document, not a photocopy of a photocopy or of a fax)
The person certifying the copy must confirm in English that they have inspected
the original document(s) and that the document they are certifying is a ‘true copy of
the original’
The copy must bear the signature of the person certifying on each copy
The actual copy must be certified, stickers are not permitted
The person certifying the documents must not be the applicant themselves, or a
member of their family.
Application Form Section 1 – Registration Details

The details that you enter in this section will be your registered details.

Your name, registered address and qualifications will appear in the Register which will be
available to the public on the GDC website. All other details provided in this section will not be
available to the public.
Application Form Section 2 - Qualifications

You should use this section to record the details of your qualification and the institution which
you have studied at. You do not need to include proof of your study as this will be supplied by
your Dental school in the form of a graduation pass list.

The Dean’s office will send pass lists directly to the GDC and we are unable to process
applications until the list(s) have been received by the GDC.
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Application Form Section 3 - Character Reference and Proof of Identity
If you are applying for registration within a year of graduation, the character reference must be
provided by the head of your dental training school, or his/her nominee, or by the person
responsible for supervision of your training. If you are applying for registration after a year you can
ask another person of professional standing, such as; a dentist, doctor (but not the same dentist or
doctor completing your Health certificate), person entitled to practise law, police officer, accountant,
optician, minister of religion or a civil servant to be your character referee and to certify your
documents. The character referee must have known you for over a year and cannot be a member of
your family.
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The Health and Character sections of the application form must be no more than three
months old at the time of receipt by the GDC.

If the Character reference is out of date we will be unable to proceed with your registration and
will need to contact you in order to provide a new character reference.

Your Character reference must not be completed by the same person who completes your
Health certificate.

In addition to the Character reference on the application form, you must include a photocopy
certified by your character referee, of one of the following:
o a valid passport; or
o a valid photocard driving licence; or
o a valid ID card issued by the armed forces; or
o a valid EEA identification card.

The ID must show a photograph of you, your name, date of birth and the expiry date. If you are
unable to provide any of these documents you must provide a passport sized photograph which
has been signed on the back by your character referee as well as a copy of one of the
following: birth certificate, adoption certificate or certificate of naturalisation (from any country).
Please note that your full name must match on all documents. If your name has changed or differs
on any documents (or the university pass list) due to abbreviations, marriage or any other reason,
you must include documentary evidence of your name change (e.g. a certified copy of a marriage
certificate or deed poll). We are only able to register you under the name provided on your proof of
identification. Once you are registered it may not be possible for the GDC to action amendments to
your personal details immediately.
Application Form Section 4 - Health Certificate

The Health certificate must be completed by a GMC registered medical practitioner, e.g. your
doctor or occupational health service.

The date on the certificate must be no more than three months old at the time of receipt by the
GDC.

If the certificate is out of date we will be unable to proceed with your registration and will need
to contact you in order to provide a new certificate.

Your Health certificate must not be completed by the same person who completes your
Character reference.
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Application Form Section 5 - Self Declaration

This declaration should be completed and signed by the applicant. Please read guidance notes
attached to the application form for further information.
Application Form Section 6 - Payment

First time registrants pay a pro rata fee which relates to the period of the year in which they join
the register. However if you are graduating from a UK Dental school this year and wish to
submit an application in May, June or July, you will need to pay the July rate of £288.

Please refer to the fees information on our website (www.gdc-uk.org). If you are applying in
November or December 2014 you will also need to pay the Annual Retention Fee for 2015.The
registration fee can be paid by:
o a cheque drawn on a bank with a UK branch;
o a banker’s draft, payable through a UK bank;
o United Kingdom Postal Orders or
o debit or credit card details. Please note that in order for the GDC to comply with new
legislation, we no longer accept card payments over the phone. Card payments are
now made via our E-payment portal.

The registration fee will be processed and a registration number will be issued after receipt of a
complete application, and the graduation list from the dental school.
Making Payment via the E-payment Portal
In order to pay by credit or debit card you must have access to the internet and an email
account. We will email you with instructions for making your payment online.
You will need to ensure that you check your email account regularly and contact us should your
email address or phone number change.
You will need to make payment within 5 working days of receiving our payment request; otherwise
your application may be delayed or returned to you.
Application Form Section 7 - Payment for Future Annual Retention Fee

If you would like to take the opportunity to set up a direct debit for your future ARF payment to
be taken each December then you can use the direct debit mandate form enclosed in the
application for this purpose.

If you would rather wait until the end of the registration year to arrange a payment, you may do
so. The fee for the 2015 Annual Retention fee has not yet been confirmed.
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