There was a 4 per cent increase in the number of dental professors and lecturers during 2009-10, to a total of 390, and a 20 per cent increase in the number of clinical teachers to a total of 135. Prof Saunders, Chair of the Dental Schools Council, said the increase in the number was encouraging, but challenges in the current economic climate remained.

The General Dental Council (GDC) has announced new measures aimed at improving the handling of complaints. It also has plans for introducing revalidation and has issued guidance on discount deals.

The British Dental Association (BDA) has written to Department of Health to press for the announcement of a timetable for the review of HTM 01-05 promised by the Chief Dental Officer in 2009. The BDA’s call coincides with the publication of new research on time-dependent recontamination rates of sterilised dental instruments in the 22 October issue of the British Dental Journal.

The General Dental Council (GDC) is reminding all dentists not to miss the 31 December deadline to pay their annual retention fee (ARF) and remain on the register.It is important to remember that if dentists don’t pay, they will be putting their registration at risk. The GDC will not be able to accept any payments received after midnight on 31 December 2011.