Overseas Dentists in the UK: Your 2025 Guide to GDC Registration and Visas
How Can Overseas Dentists Register with the GDC in 2025?
For many overseas-qualified dentists, the dream of working in the UK comes with a mixture of excitement and frustration. The opportunities are there – but so are the hoops to jump through. From the GDC’s registration routes to the UK’s immigration rules, the pathway isn’t always straightforward. Here, we’ll break down the current options available
This blog gives a broad overview of the current pathways available in 2025. We’ll keep things simple here, and later we’ll share dedicated posts focusing on each aspect in more detail.
The Routes to Registration
1. Overseas Registration Exam (ORE) & Licence in Dental Surgery (LDS)
These are the two most common routes for non-UK dentists. Both assess whether your knowledge and skills match UK standards. Passing either exam allows you to apply for full GDC registration and practise independently.
2. Temporary Registration
This option allows you to work under supervision in a hospital or university setting while you’re preparing for exams. It doesn’t allow high street practice, but it’s a great way to gain UK experience and settle into the system.
3. EEA/EFTA Qualifications
If you trained in Europe, some qualifications are still recognised under transitional rules until 2028. That means certain graduates can still register directly, though the situation may change beyond that date.
4. Provisional Registration (Coming Soon)
The government has proposed a new provisional registration route. This would allow overseas dentists to work in general practice under supervision, helping to ease the UK’s shortage of dentists. It hasn’t launched yet, but it’s one to watch closely.
5. Dental Care Professional (DCP) Registration
Some overseas dentists choose to register as a dental hygienist, therapist, or technician while working towards full registration. However, from July 2025, these roles are no longer eligible for new Skilled Worker visas, which limits this as a long-term option.
Visas and Immigration
To practise in the UK, you’ll also need the right visa. The main option is the Skilled Worker visa (or the Health & Care Worker visa if employed by the NHS).
Dentists remain eligible for sponsorship — good news!
You’ll need a job offer from an approved employer, a Certificate of Sponsorship, and to meet the salary threshold (currently £41,700 or the going rate for dentists).
The Health & Care visa comes with perks: lower fees, faster processing, and no health surcharge.
DCP roles (like nurses, hygienists, and therapists) are no longer eligible for new Skilled Worker visas after July 2025, though current visa holders can usually extend.
So, What’s the Best Route?
If you’re planning to work as a dentist in the UK, here are the broad steps:
Check your qualification — EEA/EFTA or outside.
Choose your route — ORE, LDS, or (in future) provisional registration.
Apply for temporary registration if you’d like UK experience before exams.
Plan your visa early to avoid delays.
The process can feel complex, but thousands of overseas dentists successfully navigate it each year. The key is to plan ahead, keep flexible, and stay updated — especially as exam capacity and visa rules are changing fast.