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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

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

Licence

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


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

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.


Legislation

Title of relevant act or charter

Dentists Act 1984

Website link to legislation
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/24

Licence Finder

You may need licences and permits to carry out certain activities in the UK. These are called authorisations. Use the licence finder to find what you need.