Different Routes For Dental Candidates

This is the simplest route in order to work in the dental industry in the UK, however it only applies to individuals who have completed their dental qualifications in the UK.

The UK Graduate Route

For instance having completed their Bachelors Degree in Dentistry in a recognised dental school or university, which thereby recognises them as a dentist in the UK.

Having graduated in the UK, the individual is then able to become fully GDC Registered as a dentist. This hereby enables them to work in private practices without the need for supervision provided they have their GDC Number upon applying for the position in question. If they wanted to take this route a step further they could go on to complete their Dental Foundation Training (DFT). This would have to be completed if the candidate would be looking to work within an NHS or mixed practiced. Upon acquiring their NHS Performer Number, or List Number if the practice is in Scotland, the individual is then qualified to work in any UK practice that is complete or partly owned by the NHS.

Upon which they are recognised as a dentist able to practice in their own country. If they desire to work in the UK however, their qualification has to be from a recognised dental school or university in order for them to register with the GDC.

Should they hold a recognised qualification and upon receiving their GDC Registration Number, the potential candidate can then apply for a PLVE position in the UK, or VTE position in Scotland. This route will ultimately conclude with them similarly acquiring their NHS Performer Number. However if you have a dental qualification that isn’t from a recognised dental school or university, then they would be required to take the NON-EEA Route as described below.

Having already passed their dental qualifications outside of the EEA but also having their qualification not be recognised like in the previous route, they would be required to take their Overseas Registration Exam (ORE) parts 1 & 2 in order to be able to become GDC Registered.

Upon doing this by either completing the ORE or being from a recognised university, the candidate can then undertake PLVE training which would be required before they can work in the NHS.

On the other hand if they have completed their overseas qualification in one of the following countries, Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, and having attended certain universities in those countries, they then do not need to complete the ORE before they can register with the GDC.