Information for overseas dental care professionals
The General Dental Council (GDC) is the organisation that regulates qualified dental professionals in the UK.
All dentists, dental nurses, dental technicians, dental hygienists, dental therapists, clinical dental technicians and orthodontic therapists must be registered with the GDC to work in the UK.
When you register with the GDC you are licensed to work as a dentist or other dental care professional in the UK.
The Dental Care Professionals Register includes:
- dental hygienists
- dental therapists
- clinical dental technicians
- orthodontic therapists
- dental nurses
- dental technicians
Code of practice for ethical recruitment
Many NHS organisations contract with agencies to help with overseas recruitment campaigns, in line with the Department of Health and Social Care code of practice.
The code is clear that active recruitment from developing countries is unethical. See NHS Employers' website for more detail. The code of practice also includes key principles such as not requiring candidates to pay a fee up front. If you are asked to pay a fee up front for promises of NHS accommodation or work, please report the request to Action Fraud.