Registering with the General Dental Council
The General Dental Council puts patient safety at the centre of its work. Dental professionals have to meet certain standards and expectations in order to get on and stay on our registers.
If you want to work in the UK as a dentist, clinical dental technician, dental nurse, dental hygienist, dental technician, dental therapist or orthodontic therapist, you must be registered with us.
Never been on the register before?
Check whether your qualification is recognised for registration with us.
Follow our guide to registration. This includes information about whether you may need to take the Overseas Registration Exam if you a dentist from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) whose qualifications are not recognised for full registration with the GDC.
Returning to the register
If you have been registered with the GDC before but have left for a career break or other reason, you can apply for restoration to get back on.
Specialist Lists
If you are dentist, you can also apply to join one of the GDC’s specialist lists, which make it easier for the public and other professionals to find you if you specialise in a particular aspect of dentistry
Staying on our registers
Once on our registers, we expect you to:
We can take action if you do not meet these expectations.