This article describes what a dentist need to know about becoming a dentist in the UK, depending on where they trained
The General Dental Council (GDC) is the organisation that regulates dental professionals in the UK. All dentists and dental care professionals must be registered with the GDC and licensed to work in the UK.
Temporary registration
Temporary registration allows dentists who are not eligible for full registration to practice dentistry in the UK in supervised posts for training, teaching, or research purposes only for a limited period. Temporary registration will not allow dentists to work in general or private practice, or in community dental services.
An overseas qualified dentist can apply for temporary registration in specific approved posts if they hold a dental qualification from a university which is recognised by UK ENIC for the purposes of temporary registration and the overseas registration examination (ORE).
Temporary registration is granted for a minimum of 84 days and a maximum of 365 days at a time and may be renewed by means of application, for up to a maximum of 1826 days (5 years).
ORE Test
Dentists from outside the UK whose qualifications are not recognised for full registration with the GDC need to take the overseas registration examination (ORE). For information on the qualifications recognised for full registration, dentists should contact the SDR-UK.
The ORE tests the clinical skills and knowledge of dentists from outside the UK whose qualifications are not recognised for full registration with the GDC.
The examination is based on the UK dental curriculum and uses modern assessment methods to ensure a robust and consistent examination. Dentists who pass this examination become eligible to apply for full registration to practise in the UK.
All applicants need to demonstrate that they have an appropriate level of English language competence before they can sit the ORE and are required to demonstrate their linguistic competence by sitting the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Vocational training
Dentists who complete the ORE examination may be required to do up to a year’s foundation training in order to work for the NHS. To work in general dental practice undertaking NHS work, dentists need to have their names on the NHS Performers list held by NHS England.
The right to work in the UK
If you are not a UK national, you will need to meet the requirements of UK Visas and Immigration regulations to gain the right to enter and work in UK.
