The Process

Individuals holding a relevant DCP qualification (degree or diploma) in the hygiene and/or therapy scopes of practice can apply for individual assessment to register with the GDC. If your application is successful, you will be eligible for registration with the GDC as dental hygienist and/or dental therapist

Important notes:

You must have a relevant overseas qualification as a Dental Care Professional (DCP) to apply for registration as a Dental Hygienist and/or Dental Therapist. Those who hold a diploma in dentistry only (degree or diploma that qualifies you as a dentist) are not eligible to apply for registration as a Dental Hygienist and/or Dental Therapist in the UK.

Section 38 of The Dentists Act 1984 (the Act) makes it a criminal offence for anyone who is not registered with us to practise dentistry or to offer or imply they are prepared to practise dentistry

Section 39 of the The Dentists Act 1984 (the Act) makes it a criminal offence for anyone who is not registered with the GDC to take or use various protected dental titles, such as 'dentist', 'dental nurse', 'dental hygienist' 'dental technician' or to imply that they are a registered dental professional.

The individual assessment pathway to registration can be completed by the applicant. This is quite a long and cumbersome process that requires planning. You can The following steps details the process for applying to the GDC as a dental hygienist and/or dental therapist.

Step 1- Complete the route to registration and download the application pack.

• Start completing the route to registration page on the GDC website which can be found here.

• Once you have correctly answered the preliminary questions, the application pack and all other relevant documents applicable to you will be available for download.

• Applicants are strongly advised to read the Application guidance and requirements to ensure they meet the requirements before commencing their application. Failure to provide required documents in the right format within the specified time frame may cause administrative delay to your application. Please note that the GDC will return incomplete applications without assessment.

Step 2: Complete your application and other supporting documents.

• The following forms will be available to download from the GDC website.

• Overseas DCP Application Form

• Certificate of Good Standing

• Learning Outcome Forms (Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy)

• Self Declaration or Reflection

Step 3: Submit your application and other supporting documents.

You are now ready to submit your application and supporting documents. All copied documents must be certified as true copies of the original. Any documents not issued in English must be translated according to the standards. You are advised to carefully review the application form and all guidance documents as you need to provide a complete application with all supporting documentation when you submit your application.

The following documents must be submitted with your application.

• A fully completed, signed (in ink), and dated application form.

• A typed completed learning outcomes form for each DCP title for which you make an application. (you must have a separate application form for each title). All sections must be completed in full. If a particular learning outcome has not been covered during your primary dental training and/or postgraduate study or training, please state ‘not covered’.

• A certified colour copy of your valid passport. This document must clearly show your photograph, name, date of birth, expiry date, nationality, and machine-readable zone (MRZ).

• A recent passport sized photo signed by your character referee on the back.

• A certified copy of your DCP qualification certificate, with a translation if required.

• A certified copy of the transcript of marks which accompanied your qualification certificate.

• A validated syllabus (curriculum) from your dental school supporting your DCP qualification. The syllabus should specify the course dates and the qualification obtained. Detailed evidence of how training was provided during the entire period of your course should also be included. Please ensure this document is translated into English if required. If you are unable to provide any of these documents, please follow the guidance in the section Evidence of qualification.

• An original certificate of current professional status or certificate of good standing. This document is issued by the regulatory body of the country where you last practised. If your profession is not regulated in the country where you last worked overseas, the certificate must be provided by your last employer or your dental school. For the purposes of your application, we only consider this document to be valid for three months from the date of issue, and it must be valid at the point of registration.

• Evidence of English language competence.

• Certified copy of a change of name document such as marriage certificate, if required. This must be accompanied by an English translation if it is not issued in English.

• Evidence of change of name, if the names on your documents are not the same. This must be accompanied by an authorised English translation if it is not issued in English.

• Continuing Professional Development (CPD) certificates. Please review our recommended CPD topics on our website. Please number your CPD certificates and enclose an index.

• Two original professional clinical references, detailing your clinical experience as a DCP must be provided. If you recently qualified, please obtain references from your dental institution. References must be not more than two years’ old, submitted on the employers’ letterhead paper, and must include the following information:

  1. when and where you worked

  2. the procedures you carried out

  3. the knowledge and experience you gained

  4. the level of skill when undertaking your work within your role, and whether this was supervised or unsupervised.

• Finally, you will need to submit two bundles of your application:

1. Original: the first bundle consisting of an original application form and certified copies (if original documents are not provided) of all supporting documents.

2. Copies: the second bundle consisting of a photocopy of your original application form with copies of all supporting documents. This bundle should not be bound, stapled, placed in plastic wallets or paper clipped.

   Both bundles should be separated with a rubber band clearly marked with a cover letter stating ‘Original’ and ‘Copies’. If the application form or accompanying documents are incomplete and/or an additional photocopy is not provided, your application will not be processed and will be returned.

Step 4: Waiting and Outcomes:

The GDC will contact applicants by email within five working days to confirm receipt of application.

You will be contacted if there is a problem with your application (this could include returning your application if it is considered incomplete). Although The General Dental Council (GDC) has a maximum of six months from receipt of a complete application to process and inform an applicant of its decision, due to backlogs, applicants should be prepared to wait for more than six months.

Correctly completed applications are referred to independent Registration Assessment Panel of dentally qualified assessors for consideration and recommendation. Panels are held monthly, and applications are sent to panel members three weeks in advance. The panel provides advice and recommendations to the GDC Registrar on applicants’ knowledge, skills and suitability for registration. The panel is not a decision-making body. Following the panel meeting, the Registrar will review panel recommendations and decide whether or not to grant registration. One of the following steps can be taken:

• Registration as a DCP is granted

• Further information or clarification is sought before a recommendation or decision can be reached

• Registration is refused.

Registration with the GDC is a long and cumbersome process. Our teams consultants are made up of dental professionals with wealth of experience when it comes to international professional registrations. With a solid academic and clinical background, they will provide one to one expert advice and guidance needed through the entire application process for a successful application on your first attempt.