Dentist
- Regulators
-
- General Dental Council
- Nations
- United Kingdom
- Sectors
-
- Health and care
Regulatory or professional bodies
Primary regulator
- Regulatory authority
- General Dental Council
- Address
-
37 Wimpole Street
London
W1G 8DQ - Email address
- Communications@gdc-uk.org
- Website
- https://www.gdc-uk.org
- Phone number
- +44 (0)207 167 6000
Regulation
Regulation summary
Dentists diagnose and treat teeth and mouth problems, and work to prevent dental disease and promote oral health.
Regulation type
Reserved activities
The practice of dentistry is a protected function in the UK restricted to dentists and dental care professionals registered with the GDC.
The GDC's Scope of Practice guidance sets out the skills and abilities that every dental professional, including dentists, should have.
Protected titles
Dentist
Dental Practitioner
Dental Surgeon
- More about regulated activities and titles
- https://www.gdc-uk.org/standards-guidance/standards-and-guidance/scope-of-practice
Qualifications and experience
New professionals
- Routes to qualification
-
You can qualify to register as a dentist in the UK by a university course - a 5-year degree in dentistry
- More about qualification
- https://www.gdc-uk.org/education-cpd/quality-assurance/recent-inspections/dentistry
Professionals from outside the UK
- Recognition for professionals outside the UK
- All - there are routes to recognition for professionals from all countries
- Summary of routes
-
You can use the route to registration questionnaire on the GDC website to find out information about the routes to registration and whether you are eligible for registration within the UK. You can also download application packs.
Please use the link below. - More about recognition for professionals outside the UK
- https://www.egdc-uk.org/Application/RouteToRegistration
Registration
- Registration requirements
-
When you use the route to registration questionnaire on the GDC website, you will be given full guidance about registration requirements with the GDC.
- More about registration
- https://www.gdc-uk.org/registration/join-the-register/how-to-join-the-register
Legislation
- Title of relevant act or charter
-
Dentists Act 1984
- Website link to legislation
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/24