1. Workforce and recognition of qualifications
EU dentists working in the UK
Under existing law, EU citizens with a dental degree from an EU country benefit from automatic recognition of qualifications based on the principle of free movement for EU citizens across the European Union.
This means that dentists qualified in the EU can come to work in the UK, as long as they have relevant language knowledge; registration is straightforward.
Around 16-17 per cent of the UK dentist workforce is registered on the basis of an EU/EEA degree; this includes UK citizens who have studied in Europe. The registration of those currently registered should not be jeopardised by Brexit.
With regard to EU citizens coming to work in the UK in the future, the process for the recognition of their qualifications is unclear at the moment. The draft withdrawal agreement foresees some general continuation of current arrangements, but this is only relevant to Dec 2020; the situation thereafter is unclear. In case of no deal, there is an indication that EU qualifications held by anybody – not just EU nationals – will be eligible for registration for up to two years, while changes to the system are considered.
Whatever the future system, there is already a waiting list for registration exams, and significant additional numbers of sittings will be difficult to arrange. With an already existing workforce shortage, this is very much a recognised issue for UK dentistry for the future. Any changes to the registration system would likely have to be funded by existing registrants via the GDC’s ARF income.
It is also likely that, in the longer term, EU nationals would have to go a more formal process of performers list validation by experience (PLVE/VT equivalence) as their exemption from the formal programme would also cease.
This in turn would necessitate higher numbers of practices being willing to provide the training.
UK dentists working in the EU
The same EU rules have also enabled UK dentists to work in other EU countries.
As UK citizens will not be EU citizens in the future, post-Brexit, they will no longer be able to benefit from free movement and automatic recognition; instead, recognition is most likely to depend on the arrangements for third-country nationals in any given country.
2. Immigration arrangements
A requirement for visas
Currently, EU citizens do not need a work visa to work in the UK. This, in combination with automatic recognition of qualifications, has made the UK an active recruiter of dentists from the EU/EEA.
This is particularly true for the dental corporate sector, but also for more traditional practices. In future, the UK government has indicated that EU citizens will not be treated differently to citizens from elsewhere.
The implication is that they will have to compete for work visas, where only the person who obtains the job is given the permission to work in the UK, for a defined time, after which they might apply for indefinite leave to remain.
Practices and their owners would take on the role of 'sponsor' for dentists from abroad as they currently do for those from outside the EU and pay the associated costs.
As work undertaken on the basis of a Tier 2 visa usually needs to be on the basis of an employment contract, practices may need to work with more employed, rather than self-employed, dentists.
While the government has removed the immigration cap for employed doctors and nurses, this exemption does not currently apply to dentists, so visas may or may not be difficult to obtain. The Migration Advisory Committee has recommended to the Government that the limit on the number of Tier 2 visas be relaxed, and there will an earnings threshold.
However, we do not yet have clarity around the Government's precise approach and we are keeping a close eye on this issue.
We do not know what impact a more 'hostile' environment (whether perceived or evidenced) - might have on EU citizens who have lived in the UK for some time, and may have trained here, but hold citizenship of another EU country – some may choose to leave the UK.
The GDC has
published research into the intentions of EU qualified registrants working in the UK.
While most of the attention around workforce issues in relation to Brexit is often focused on general dental practice, it is important to point out that dentists in the community, in hospitals, and in academic and research roles are affected in the same way, and that shortages in those areas are also of concern.
It should be noted that the UK government has made a unilateral pledge to EU/EEA citizens already in the country that they can stay; a new
registration scheme to confirm their status has been piloted and will go live on 21 January 2019.
3. UK economy
There are many commentators on the state of the negotiations process and its impact on the UK economy.
Pound Sterling has suffered significant losses at several points since the referendum, the UK credit rating was downgraded in September 2017, and the economic growth prediction was downgraded by the British Chambers of Commerce in September 2018.
Any economic downturn after Brexit particularly in the case of a 'no-deal scenario' and continuing acrimony, could lead to higher prices and impact on people's standards of living.
Research suggests that economic downturns can affect patient behaviour in seeking dental treatment, and we are concerned that this could affect dental practices' incomes – for both NHS and private dentistry.
We are keeping a watching brief on this issue and discussing it at appropriate stakeholder meetings.
4. Medicines and medical devices
UK medicines and medical devices have been subject to a central EU system of accreditation.
While the UK Government seems intent to stay within the realms of the existing regulatory framework, it is questionable whether this can be achieved without participation in other frameworks which the government has explicitly stated it will leave.
If the process cannot continue as it is at the moment, there are questions over the timely provision of medicines, including those used in dental practice, and the rules for importing medical devices.
Again, it is possible for the UK to establish its own processes mirroring the existing ones, but as it will have to pay to do this, these costs will likely need to be passed on to those who use, and need, medical devices and medicines.
In addition, there are questions around the active bringing into the country of medicines and medical devices if there are border controls.
The UK Department for Health and Social Care has issued guidance specifically on issues in relation to a no-deal scenario.
5. The Irish border issue
One of the main issues of the Brexit negotiations is the problem of a potential return of border checks of people and goods between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Within medicine and dentistry, there is a flow of workforce into both directions at the moment – registrants living in the Republic and working in NI, or vice versa; and the same also applies to patients, who might seek care in a different part from where they live.
A potential hard border has implications for patients, workforce, service provision, availability of medicines and other goods.
As mentioned above, BDA Northern Ireland is participating in a DH Working Group on Brexit and we will keep members updated on discussions.
