Government dragging heels as 1,000s of overseas dentists left unable to practise during access crisis

The union has warned that a three-month consultation on necessary legal changes – anounced recently – will mean little chance of parliamentary time until the autumn at the earliest – leaving an incredibly narrow window until mutual recognition of qualifications for EU dentists ends in December.

Due to the pandemic, the Overseas Registration Exam (ORE) has not taken place since January 2020. In response to a parliamentary question, Minister Maria Caulfield MP revealed that there are over 2,000 applicants currently waiting for an opportunity to sit these exams. Under existing arrangements most of these dentists will end up waiting years before being allowed a chance to practise in the UK, and due to outdated regulations, many won’t be allowed to work in the NHS.