Sir, I agree with the views of Dr R. Piper (BDJ 2010; 209: 264) except in one respect. The GDC is not wasting their resources in the pursuit of this nonsense, but ours as the registrants who fund them.

If the title of 'Dr' must go then an elegant solution was suggested in the letters pages of the BDJ many years ago. We should simply adopt the title 'Professor'. This would have the splendid effect of annoying both the medical profession and many of my Professorial academic colleagues. It was also pointed out that Professor Jimmy Edwards, the comedian, actor and tuba player had used the title for many years, apparently without any legal repercussions.