eGDC
Close

Before you apply

To apply for the Overseas Registration Exam (ORE) you will need to fill in the online application form on eGDC. Please make sure you have read and understood the student fitness to practise guidance and examination rules before applying. 

You will need to pay an application processing fee of £96 when you complete the online form.

We will add you to the ORE candidate list when you have successfully completed the ORE application process. You will then be able to book a place on the ORE.

Requirements

Patient expectations

We do not expect you to be familiar with the NHS or culture in the UK, other than the ways in which it will affect your treatment of patients. You should be familiar with how people in the UK might behave, but you should not make assumptions about a patient based on characteristics such as gender or ethnicity.

Knowledge and skills

You should be certain that you have the overall clinical skills and knowledge to successfully complete a series of tests before applying. The ORE will sample the learning outcomes set out for dentists in Preparing for Practice. Your chances of passing will be improved if you have had recent broad experience of clinical dentistry, rather than relying entirely on preparation courses.

The ORE is designed to determine whether you can safely practise dentistry in the UK. You are expected to be able to demonstrate:

  • competence, skills and knowledge in the different aspects of dentistry
  • conduct, performance and ethics as set out in the Standards for the dental team.

Clinical experience

You must have at least 1,600 hours of clinical experience where you have personally treated patients in the dental chair. You need to set out this experience when you apply.

The number of hours of this clinical experience will be hours spent undertaking appropriate investigations and administering dental treatment. You can use a combination of clinical experience gained during:

  • your dental degree
  • post-qualification experience
  • temporary registration.

You cannot include time observing other dentists or assisting other dentists or dental students in undertaking diagnosis or treatment planning or treatment.

Competence in English language

You need to submit evidence of competence in the English language with your application. The types of evidence we are likely to accept are:

  • an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) certificate at the appropriate level
  • a recent primary dental qualification taught and examined in English
  • a recent pass in a language test for registration with a regulatory authority in a country where the first and native language is English
  • recent experience of practising in a country where the first and native language is English.

Read further guidance on English language controls and other evidence we may accept.