Temporary Registration - the facts
An overseas qualified dentist can apply for temporary registration in specific approved posts if they hold a dental qualification which is recognised by the Council for the purposes of temporary registration and the Overseas Registration Examination (ORE).
Directions
A direction is a type of registration a dentist with temporary registration holds. A dentist with temporary registration is registered under specific restrictions. These restrictions allow dentists to hold valid registration only for specific posts and in the hospital(s) or institution(s) listed in the direction and for a specified time. If a dentist would like to continue in a post after the end of a direction, they need to make an application to the GDC for renewal.
Directions are granted on the basis of the following:
-
Confirmation by medical staffing certifying that the applicant is competent to practise in the specific approved post they have offered to employ them in during the relevant direction dates and;
-
The confirmation by a supervising consultant certifying that there will be a registered dentist on the premises able to give adequate supervision in the hospital(s) or institution(s) at all times when the dentist is practising during the relevant direction dates.
Supervision
Dentists with temporary registration can only practise under the supervision of a registered named consultant.
Location of posts
Temporary registration is granted for approved posts in NHS hospitals, dental schools and other approved institutions. It is not currently granted for work in general or private practice, or in the community dental services.
Duration of Temporary Registration
Temporary registration directions are granted for for a minimum of 84 days and a maximum of 365 days at a time. Temporary registration may be renewed, by means of applying, for up to a maximum of 1826 days (5 years)
Temporary Registration is only granted for the purposes of supervised training, teaching or research purposes in the UK. Completion of the maximum period of Temporary Registration does not lead to full registration, which is necessary for the practice of dentistry in the UK. To obtain full registration you must either hold a recognised qualification from the UK, meet the criteria set down under EEA regulations or pass the ORE.
Fees
The temporary registration fee covers registrations for 365 days (within a direction). There are 5 payment stages. When you first register you will receive 1826 days worth of registration. You will need to make further payments when you have 1461, 1096, 731 and 366 days remaining. You can find more information on fees for temporary registration here
How to apply
You can only apply for temporary registration after you have received an offer of employment for an approved post. Follow our step-by-step guide.