Dental nurses call for action on 'unfair' fees

HUNDREDS of dental nurses across the Lothians are facing an "unfair" hike in registration fees this summer, it has been claimed.

The workers, many of whom are on minimum wage, will now have to pay 120 in July to be allowed to practice.

The General Dental Council has raised the fee from 96 to cover its costs.

The organisation has experienced an increase in the number of fitness to practice hearings over recent years, meaning it has to gather more cash from its members.

Local dental nurses said they were paying when hardly any people in their position faced disciplinary hearings.

The British Association of Dental Nurses is currently lobbying the GDC in the hope it can reduce the charge.

A spokeswoman for the GDC said: "The GDC recognises that its decision will have a significant impact on them."