General Dental Council announces Annual Retention Fee for 2026 

The GDC Council has today agreed the General Dental Council’s (GDC’s) strategy for the next three years, the strategic priorities and the funding required to deliver these.  

In turn, this decision has set the Annual Retention Fee (ARF) for 2026 at £698 for dentists and £108 for dental care professionals (DCPs).  

Following the announcement Tom Whiting, Chief Executive and Registrar of the GDC, said: 

“Our vision is to be a trusted and effective regulator, supporting dental professionals to provide safe and effective care for their patients. We have a clear delivery plan to achieve our strategic ambitions and remain committed to protecting the public and maintaining public confidence in the dental professions. 

"We will provide transparency about the work we do to deliver our strategic ambitions and will measure and report on our progress. Council has approved the investment needed to achieve this transformation whilst considering affordability for dental professionals.

"We will provide transparency about the work we do to deliver our strategic ambitions and will measure and report on our progress. Council has approved the investment needed to achieve this transformation whilst considering affordability for dental professionals.

"The GDC will adjust the ARF as needed from 2027 onwards. Other than in exceptional circumstances, any increase will not exceed the rate of the Consumer Price Index (CPI)”.  

The annual renewal period for dentists will open on 10 November 2025, with the ARF to be paid by 31 December 2025.  

Renewal will open in June next year for those on the dental care professional register, with the ARF to be paid by 31 July 2026. 

Find out more about the ARF decision and plans for 2026.