The General Dental Council (GDC) is asking for views on proposed changes to how internationally qualified dentists and dental care professionals demonstrate they have the knowledge of English needed to join the UK register.
The regulator wants to hear both from those who will need to provide evidence of their English, and from those who employ, work alongside or are treated by them.
The eight-week consultation, which opens today, proposes updating the evidence requirements, last revised in 2017. The proposals, informed by stakeholder engagement, fitness to practise data on English language cases and research, aim to make the process clearer for applicants, and more robust and verifiable for the regulator.
A wider choice of English language tests is central to the proposals. The GDC would assess English language tests against set criteria and publish a list of those that qualify. A test would have to assess listening, reading, speaking and writing, be secure, objective and independent, allow the GDC to verify results directly with the provider, and be set at a level equivalent to C1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
The GDC proposes to accept five tests that it says meet those criteria: OET Dentistry, IELTS Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced (digital), TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic. All evidence, including test results, would need to be no more than two years old when an application is submitted.
Stefan Czerniawski, Executive Director of Strategy at the GDC, said: “Everyone who joins our register must be able to communicate clearly and effectively in English with patients and colleagues. Giving applicants a wider choice of tests, and clearer guidance on the evidence we accept, would make it simpler to show they meet that standard, while protecting patients and giving employers and colleagues confidence that the standard has been met.
“We particularly want to hear from internationally qualified dental professionals and those planning to apply, so that the final guidance works well for them. We are just as keen to hear from the people who rely on the outcome: patients, employers and the dental team who work alongside them.”
The proposals would also narrow two existing routes. A recent primary dental qualification taught and examined in English would only count if it was awarded in a country on the UK government’s list of English-speaking countries. Recent clinical practice in English would count only if it took place in a country on the same list.
For clinical practice, the GDC proposes that applicants provide both a reference from an employer covering the previous two years and detailing practice in English, and a recent employment contract for a clinically relevant role, with proof of registration in the country where they worked. The consultation asks whether either requirement is unnecessary or unsuitable.
Applicants relying on qualifications or experience from countries not on the list may need to submit other evidence, such as an accepted test. The GDC would continue to accept other types of evidence that meet the criteria in its guidance.
The consultation also asks whether the point of applying to sit the Overseas Registration Examination, which is conducted in English, is the right time to request English language evidence. The consultation also invites views on the equality impacts of the proposals.
How to respond
Responses are welcome from internationally qualified dentists and dental care professionals, and those planning to apply to join the register, and equally from others with an interest, including patients, employers, and other dental professionals.
The consultation closes on 6 January 2027. Responses should be submitted through the online form or by email to stakeholder@gdc-uk.org, with the name of the consultation in the subject line.
The GDC will publish a consultation outcome report setting out the views received and its response.
