Thousands of dentists for NHS patients

More dentists on their way as government boosts numbers who can practise.

Thousands more dentists will be available to see patients, opening up appointments across the country by boosting places on two professional registration exams.

As it stands thousands of fully qualified dentists from overseas who are often already living in the UK are unable to practise because of limited exam capacity.

In a huge boost for the dental workforce, a total of 2,400 more overseas-trained dentists, many of whom are already living in this country and waiting for the opportunity to help, could be registered annually from 2028/29.

Thanks to new government investment, final exam places run by the Royal College of Surgeons of England will be increasing nearly ten-fold allowing up to 1,350 overseas-trained dentists to join the General Dental Council (GDCs) register annually by 2028 and be available to provide dental services – including NHS treatments – in the UK.

“No-one in the 21st century should be left in a situation where they cannot access a dentist.”

At the same time, the General Dental Council will significantly expand the number of places of its Overseas Registration Exam (ORE), meaning more than 1,000 overseas-trained dentists are expected to join the register annually via this route by 2028/29.

It comes alongside an increase of training places for home grown dentists, prioritising so called dental deserts which do not currently train dentists.

Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said:

“No-one in the 21st century should be left in a situation where they cannot access a dentist.

“That is why today’s announcement is crucial, as training more dentists and allowing greater numbers of those qualified overseas to practise, will put more patients in dental chairs, receiving care when they need it most.

“These investments show this government is serious about rebuilding NHS dentistry and laying the foundations to make it fit for the future.”

Backed by a one-off £420,000 grant the Licence in Dental Surgery (LDS) exam, an exam that overseas-trained dentists can take in order to practise in the UK, is being massively expanded, with places on the final part of the exam being increased tenfold from 180 to 1,800 by 2028.

While the General Dental Council’s clinical part of its Overseas Registration Exam will increase to 1,500 places which is expected to deliver more than 1,000 more dentists on the register by 2028/29.

Dr Charlotte Eckhardt, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (FDS) at the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England), said:

“RCS England is pleased to work with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to increase the number of places for candidates sitting the Licence in Dental Surgery (LDS) examination. This expansion will support more candidates, strengthen the dental workforce, and help improve public access to dentistry.”