The number of dentists registered in the UK has continued to rise steadily, reaching 45,580 by 2025, reflecting an increase of 1,371 dentists (3.1%) compared to the previous year. This marks another year of growth in the dental profession, following similar increases over the past five years:
2021: 41,863
2022: 42,215
2023: 43,130
2024: 44,209
2025: 45,580
This positive trend indicates a growing and expanding dental workforce across the UK. One notable change in 2025 was the reduction in the number of dentists who did not renew their registration, with just 793 removals compared to 1,004 in 2024. The non-renewal figure was the lowest in five years, with 1.7% of dentists failing to renew their registration, compared to the 2.3% to 2.9% range in previous years.
The reasons for removal from the register include voluntary removal, non-payment of the annual retention fee (ARF), retirement, and death. Despite these removals, the overall trend shows a significant increase in the number of active professionals in the sector.
Dental Workforce Trends and Working Patterns
The General Dental Council (GDC) observed that while the number of registered professionals continues to grow throughout the year due to new registrations, the numbers decrease during the renewal period as professionals leave the register for various reasons. However, it was noted that the data collected does not provide detailed insights into the working patterns of registrants. The GDC has acknowledged that while the number of professionals may be increasing, information regarding whether they work full-time or part-time, as well as their work in NHS versus private sectors, remains unclear.
In response, the GDC is gathering more detailed data on working patterns, including the balance of NHS and private dentistry and the distribution of clinical versus non-clinical roles. This additional data will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the dental workforce. The findings of this investigation are expected to be released later in Q1 of 2025.
This growing body of data about the dental workforce will be important for understanding trends in the sector, helping to address potential workforce shortages, and improving the planning and delivery of dental care across the UK.
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