Should I apply for the ORE?
Most applicants whose primary qualification is from outside the EEA will be required to sit the ORE. Exempt persons are entitled to individual assessment, although this is not a guaranteed route to registration.
Use the questionnaire below to see whether the ORE is your route to registration. It may reveal whether you are eligible to apply for registration without taking the exam.
Question 1: Are you a dentist?
YES - go to question 2
NO - you are not eligible to take the ORE. Please refer to our registration pages if you are a different type of dental care professional.
Question 2: Are you an EEA national or are you married to an EEA national? UK nationals are NOT included in this category.
YES - go to our registration pages
NO - go to question 3
Question 3: Is your primary dental qualification recognised by the GDC?
YES - go to our registration pages
NO - go to question 4
Not sure - check that your primary dental qualification is recognised by the GDC.
Question 4: Is your primary dental degree from a university recognised by the GDC?
YES - you are eligible to take the ORE. Find out more.
NO - contact the Exams team to request a schedule of studies (a document you will need to complete which provides details of your primary dental degree course)
Not sure- check that your primary dental degree is from a university recognised by the GDC
Working in the UK
The Home Office has removed the categories of ‘employed dental practitioner’, 'employed dental assistant' and ‘vocational dental practitioner’ from the list of UK shortage occupations.
We advise overseas-qualified (non-EEA) dentists who wish to take the ORE to investigate the employment opportunities available to them on registration. If you pass the ORE you may need to do up to a year’s Vocational Training (VT) in order to work for the NHS.