Time running out for dental practitioners to renew registration on time

The Dental Board of Australia (the Board) today urged dental practitioners who have yet to renew their registration, which is due 30 November, to renew online and on time.

Board Chair Dr John Lockwood AM said the number of dental practitioners renewing online was pleasing with more than 55% renewing online so far which is an excellent result.

So that everyone who wants to renew their registration does so, hard copy letters have been sent to dental practitioners who have already received email reminders from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) but are yet to renew.

Dr Lockwood said once AHPRA received a dental practitioner's application for renewal of registration they would stop receiving renewal reminders.

A new online facility to 'opt out' of renewing registration also puts a stop to renewal reminders. Dental practitioners who do not want to renew their registration can simply ignore the reminders or go online to 'opt out' of renewing.

Applications for registration received after the expiry date of 30 November will incur a late payment fee. This applies to dental practitioners who apply to renew during the one month late period outlined in the National Law. The late payment fee is payable in addition to the annual renewal fee.

Dr Lockwood reminded dental practitioners that there were significant consequences for individuals who do not renew on time in the National Scheme.

Under the National Law, dental practitioners who do not renew registration within one month of their registration expiry date must be removed from the National Register of Practitioners. Their registration will lapse and they will not be able to practise their profession in Australia until a new application is approved.

Dental practitioners can check that their application has been received via the online receipt service at Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - Renewal Received Confirmation. Individuals whose application to renew registration has been received can practise while their application is being processed.

The listing on the National Register of Practitioners is evidence for employers that a health professional is registered, even if their registration expiry date has passed. Alternatively, dental practitioners can print off a copy of their registration certificate using AHPRA's online services at www.ahpra.gov.au.

Failure to renew:
Dental practitioners who fail to renew their registration by 30 November 2012, or within the following one month late period, can apply to AHPRA for a fast-track application for registration. These practitioners should note that they are not able to practise in their profession until their fast-track registration application has been processed and approved.