The College of General Dentistry (CGDent) has published details of its new membership scheme, enabling all members of the dental team to become part of the UK’s first independent college for primary dental care.
Full Membership of CGDent requires a relevant postgraduate qualification and entitles the holder to use the post-nominal designation ‘MCGDent’. It has now been opened to Full Members of the Faculty of General Dental Practice (FGDP(UK)), who automatically qualify for CGDent membership, but will still need to apply. Non-members of FGDP who hold the MJDF, MFGDP or MGDS, or a postgraduate diploma-level qualification from one of the four surgical Royal Colleges of the UK and Ireland, can also apply by first joining the Faculty as a Full Member. Those with a dentistry-related PgDip, MSc or PhD from a UK Higher Education institution also qualify if they first apply for ad eundum membership of FGDP.
Fellowship of the new College, described as ‘the hallmark of leadership and commitment to excellence in dentistry’, entitles the holder to use the post-nominal designation ‘FCGDent’. It has now been opened to Fellows of FGDP, who automatically qualify but will still need to apply. Fellows of the other dental faculties of the Royal Colleges of the UK and Ireland, and other recognised institutions worldwide, also qualify by first applying for ad eundum fellowship of the Faculty.
Associate Membership of CGDent is now available to all dental professionals who are registered with the General Dental Council or an overseas equivalent, including dental care professionals and newly qualified dentists. Applicants do not need to be members of FGDP(UK), though Associate and Affiliate Members of the Faculty are encouraged to join CGDent in this category. To join, visit https://cgdent.uk/join/.
From 1 July 2021, applications for Full Membership or Fellowship of CGDent will also be open to all members of the dental team with appropriate qualifications, without the requirement of FGDP membership. Associate Fellowship, with the post-nominal ‘AssocFCGDent’, will also then be introduced to mark out those who have developed their practice to a high level, and as a stepping stone to Fellowship. CGDent has also committed to enable membership for retired practitioners. Prior to 1 July 2021, CGDent is only charging members at all grades an initial administration fee of £20, and details of annual fees thereafter will be announced in due course
