The General Dental Council has launched a consultation on proposals to expand the range of English language tests accepted from internationally qualified dentists and dental care professionals applying to join the UK register.
The plans could add to costs for many overseas-qualified dentists, according to papers presented to the GDC’s council.
The eight-week consultation proposes changes to the regulator’s English language guidance, last updated in 2017, including the introduction of five accepted tests and tighter requirements for applicants relying on qualifications or clinical experience.
Under the proposed changes, the GDC would accept OET Dentistry, IELTS Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced (digital), TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic as evidence of English language proficiency.
Tests would need to assess listening, reading, speaking and writing at a level equivalent to C1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
English language evidence would generally need to be no more than two years old when an application is submitted.
The GDC is also proposing to restrict the use of recent primary dental qualifications taught and examined in English, and recent clinical practice conducted in English, as evidence of language proficiency.
Under the changes, these routes would only be accepted where the qualification was awarded, or the clinical experience gained, in a country on the UK government’s list of English-speaking countries.
Applicants relying on recent clinical experience would need to provide either an employer reference covering the previous two years and detailing their practice in English, or a recent employment contract for a clinically relevant role, alongside proof of registration in the country where they worked.
Those with qualifications or experience from countries not on the list may need to provide alternative evidence, such as an accepted English language test. The GDC would also continue to accept other types of evidence that meet the criteria in its guidance.
Papers presented to the GDC’s council on 30 October said an average of 480 dentist applications a year use the qualification route, and modelling suggests around 90% of applicants currently relying on it would no longer be eligible under the new proposals.
Those needing to take an English language test instead would face costs of roughly £200 to £300, depending on the provider and the country where the test is taken.
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.’
The consultation also seeks views on whether applicants should provide English language evidence when applying to sit the Overseas Registration Examination, which is conducted in English.
Under the draft guidance, a pass in Part 2 of the exam would count as evidence of English language competence, provided the applicant applied for registration within two years of passing. The GDC said this would usually only apply where earlier evidence had expired.
Mr Czerniawski added: ‘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 consultation closes on 6 January 2027. The regulator will publish an outcome report setting out the views received and its response, with final guidance due to be signed off by council in March 2027.