Support for refugee dentists in Scotland
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- Published: Wednesday, 09 May 2018 07:36
- Written by News Editor
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A scheme that has helped 37 refugee doctors undergo training to work in Scotland is being expanded to include dentists. The New Refugee Doctors Project, launched in 2016, provides “comprehensive support” for refugees who were doctors in their home countries. It is expected 50 doctors and 10 dentists will be supported over the next year.
Doctors going through the programme are required to study and successfully pass strict English language, linguistic and clinical tests set by the GMC before being permitted to work in the NHS. Following the success of the initial scheme, dentists will now be given the same training and work experience necessary so that their qualifications can be recognised by the General Dental Council.
Maggie Lennon, director of the programme, said: “It means we can get refugee doctors licensed more quickly and these people are not wasting the skills that they bring with them, or working in underpaid low skilled jobs. Meanwhile dental training takes seven years and is much more likely to be one-on-one. That is much more expensive, making the saving greater still,” she said, adding: “The biggest barrier for most is language, and we have strict guidelines on the English Language level they must attain.”
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