Regulatory requirements for dental practices in the UK - guidance for overseas qualified dentists

The role of regulatory bodies

To practise dentistry in the UK, you must comply with regulatory requirements set by multiple governing bodies. The General Dental Council (GDC) regulates individual dental professionals, ensuring high clinical and ethical standards. Additionally, the practice itself is subject to oversight from different regulators depending on its location within the UK.

England: Care Quality Commission (CQC)
Northern Ireland: Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA)
Wales: Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW)
Scotland: Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) (only for fully private practices)

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