Route to Registration

The above screenshots are taken from the General Dental Council website questionnaire will help you find out whether you are eligible for registration with the GDC and download the application packs.

Dentists Act 1984

• Registration compulsory for dentists and DCPs
• DCPs register under “titles” (technicians, hygienists, nurses, therapists, orthodontic therapists)
• Any person who:
  • Practices/ holds themselves out as practising dentistry
  • Uses the title of “dentist”
  • Uses a title as a DCP
  • Commits a criminal offence if not registered.
• Registration process is different for dentists and DCPs:
• Dentists registered under sections 15 & 16,
• DCPs registered under section 36

Overseas Qualified DCP’s

• DCPs who have qualified outside of the UK are eligible to apply for assessment if they have a qualification specific to the DCP title they are applying as.
• If someone does not have a specific qualification (e.g. a qualified dental hygienist applying to register as a dental nurse) they may be eligible to apply, providing certain criteria are met.
• Overseas qualified applicants will be assessed according to Matter C (Section 36C (4) and (5)).
• They will also need to satisfy the Registrar of Matter D (Section 36C (6)) of the Act before they can be registered with the GDC

Relevant Section of the Dentists Act

Matter C

That he/she holds a qualification or qualifications granted by an institution outside of the United Kingdom relevant to the profession, and has satisfied the Council that he has the requisite knowledge and skill to practice as a member of the profession or class to which the title applies; and (except where he is an exempt person) has the knowledge of English which, in the interests of himself and his patients, is necessary for practising as a DCP in the United Kingdom.

EEA-qualified dental care professionals applying for GDC registration will need to follow the assessment process for overseas dental care professionals

Matter C – Registration as a dental care professional who has a qualification from overseas

Applicants who fall within this provision have already satisfied the Registrar that:

• They hold a qualification or qualifications granted by an institution or institutions outside the UK relevant to the profession complementary to dentistry (clinical dental technician or orthodontic therapist).
• The qualification is not required to be specific to the DCP profession for which the applicant wishes to be registered. It will be up to the DCP Assessment Team to decide what is relevant. For example, a general nursing qualification from Romania is relevant to dental nursing and therefore can be assessed as part of the application.
• The Registration Panel Assessors are asked to determine, for the purposes of Section 36C (4) (b) of the Dentists Act 1984, whether the applicant has the requisite knowledge and skill to practice as a member of the relevant profession.
• In all cases, assessors must take into account all the applicant’s relevant qualifications, and all relevant knowledge or experience, wherever required.

Dental care professional (DCP) Assessment

Under the Dentists Act, the GDC has a maximum of four months from the date it receives a complete application to notify the applicant of the Registrar’s decision. The applicant is notified of the Registrar’s decision in writing following the application being assessed by the panel.

• Once all the required documents are received (i.e. qualification certificate, syllabus and completed application form is assessed by panel assessors who are GDC registered dental professionals.
• The assessment is a paper based exercise where an applicant’s qualifications and professional experience are considered. The benchmark for deciding if the applicant’s qualification corresponds to UK requirements, or if post-qualifying “Preparing for Practice” which sets out the curricula for each category of DCP.
• The assessors make a recommendation to the Registrar on whether the applicant is suitable for registration or not.
• Registration Panel Assessors can recommend that:
  • an applicant is suitable for registration
  • an applicant is refused registration
  • more information is required
• Applicants can appeal the decision to refuse them registration

Below are direct links to the General Dental Council for ease.