Overview
To legally work as a dentist in the UK, you must be registered with the GDC. The route to joining the dental register depends on where you obtained your dental qualification.
Dentists qualified in the European Economic Area (EEA)
The UK government currently allows quasi-automatic recognition of EEA qualifications under post-Brexit regulations until 2028 if their qualification was included in the EU professional qualifications directive (Annex V) before the end of 2020. However, it is unclear if these arrangements will continue beyond this period.
Dentists qualified outside the EEA
Most must pass a registration exam before joining the GDC register. There are two recognised exams:
- The Overseas Registration Exam (ORE), administered by the GDC
- The Licence in Dental Surgery (LDS), administered by the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCSEng)
Dentists who qualified before the end of the year 2000 in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, and South Africa may be eligible for direct registration without taking an exam.
Until 8 March 2023, it was possible for overseas dentists to apply to be registered with the GDC in Dental Care Professional (DCP) categories, for example as a dental hygienist or dental therapist. This route is no longer open for new applications, and joining the DCP register is now only possible based on a formal DCP qualification.
2024 provisional registration consultation
In 2024, government consulted on the potential introduction of a system of provisional registration for overseas dentists.
As of February 2025, these proposals have not moved forward, but we are monitoring any developments in this area closely and will notify members as and when there are any updates.