The Association of Dental Groups (ADG) is delighted with today’s announcement from the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) that ‘more dentists are on their way as government boosts numbers who can practise’. This news has been warmly welcomed by the Association’s members who have been pushing for some time for the massive gap in the dental workforce to be solved in the immediate term with the fully trained international dentists in the registration examination queue.
Neil Carmichael, Executive Chair, Association Dental Groups (ADG) said: “The ADG has been crying out for such bravery. Last summer we highlighted that dentists from overseas were working in McDonalds flipping burgers because they couldn’t register to take the dentist examinations. We have been frustrated by the absurdity of having a massive gap in the dental workforce on one hand, and yet a backlog of thousands of trained dentists from overseas ready to be deployed if they could only register – on the other hand. At last, our pleas have been heard – and we are very grateful. This is a fantastic example of making good use of the ‘low-hanging fruit’ solution.”
“I know I speak on behalf of our 32 member groups when I say that today is a day of genuine celebration. We want to thank the Minister for expediting these interventions that will see more dentists coming through the system through two routes. This is visionary and Stephen Kinnock should know that his reputation as a true friend to the dentistry profession – and to patients up and down the country – is now secured.
As the trade body representing the dental workforce across the ‘mixed economy’ of NHS, Private and Community-based services, ADG’s purpose since the Association’s creation 15 years ago in 2011, is to advocate for UK dental groups by working with stakeholders and policymakers.
Increasing UK dental school places is also part of the DHSC’s announcement, which is another intervention welcomed by the ADG.
Neil Carmichael continued: “The Association believes that a career in dentistry is an exciting and rewarding one that UK students should be encouraged to pursue. As always, the ADG stands by to advise policymakers and stakeholders to keep the momentum going and ensure that we target the most urgent patient needs in dental deserts.”
