The GDC's Registration Statistical Report 2025, published 7 May 2026, records that for the first time internationally qualified dentists made up the majority of dentists joining the GDC register — 53% of new dentist registrations in 2025 against 47% UK-qualified. As of December 2025 there were 131,680 dental professionals on the register, up 4.7% year on year, with dentists up 3.4% to 47,916.
Total additions across all titles were 9,332, down from 9,888 in 2024. The GDC assessed 12,654 registration applications in 2025 and reported meeting or exceeding its timeliness targets on all UK and specialist routes. The report also notes that 71% of new dental therapist and 55% of new dental hygienist registrations came from internationally qualified dentists registering under DCP titles — a route the GDC states has now closed.
