Brexit - information for dental professionals

This page provides information for dental professionals about changes to the process of GDC registration following the UK's formal exit from the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020, and the end of the transition period at 11pm GMT on 31 December 2020.

The rules for European Economic Area (EEA) qualified dentists and dental care professionals changed on 1 January 2021. We set out those changes below.

There are different arrangements for Swiss nationals, and UK nationals settled in Switzerland and their spouses and dependents. Please read the Department of Health and Social Care guidance for further information on this and on the arrangements for EEA-qualified health and care professionals.

Our route to registration page guides applicants to the correct forms and information.

EEA-qualified dentists

EEA-qualified dentists already registered with the GDC

EEA-qualified dentists registered with the GDC prior to 2021 are unaffected and continue to be registered to practise in the UK.

EEA-qualified dentists who submitted a GDC registration application before 11pm GMT on 31 December 2020

Your application will be completed under the process that was in effect on the date it was received. To meet this deadline, your paper application and all supporting documentation must have been received in our Birmingham office by 11pm GMT on 31 December 2020.

EEA-qualified dentists applying for GDC registration from 11pm GMT on 31 December 2020

The UK Government has enacted legislation which enables the GDC to continue recognising EEA-qualified dentists under a near-automatic system. These arrangements (sometimes referred to as standstill provisions) were reviewed by the UK Government in the first half of 2023, and extended for a period of five years.

Recognised EEA qualifications are those which were listed in V.3. Annex V of Directive 2005/36/EC at 11pm GMT on 31 December 2020.

If your dental qualification was listed in V.3. Annex V of Directive 2005/36/EC at 11pm GMT on 31 December 2020, your application will be processed via a near-automatic recognition process. Your eligibility for having your dental qualification recognised under this process does not depend upon your nationality or country of residence.

If your dental qualification was not listed in listed in V.3. Annex V of Directive 2005/36/EC at 11pm GMT on 31 December 2020, you will need to apply as an applicant with an overseas qualification. For applications to the Dentist register you will need to complete the Overseas Registration Exam or the Licence in Dental Surgery.

Dentists with temporary and occasional (T&O) registration

Since 1 January 2021, the GDC can no longer register EEA-qualified dentists for T&O services.

If you were registered to undertake T&O work before 11pm GMT 31 December 2020, you can continue to provide T&O services until your temporary registration expires. You are no longer able to renew your temporary registration.

UK students studying in the EEA

If you are studying for an EEA qualification which was listed in listed in V.3. Annex V of Directive 2005/36/EC at 11pm GMT on 31 December 2020 and complete your studies during the period of near-automatic recognition, your route to registration in the UK is unaffected.

However, if your studies are not completed before the period of near-automatic recognition comes to an end, your route to registration in the UK may be affected. These arrangements will be reviewed by the Government in the first half of 2023.

EEA-qualified dental care professionals

EEA-qualified dental care professionals already registered with the GDC

EEA-qualified dental care professionals registered with the GDC prior to 2021 are unaffected and continue to be registered to practice in the UK.

EEA-qualified dental care professionals who submitted a GDC registration application before 11pm GMT on 31 December 2020

Your application, including any adaptation period if applicable, will be completed under the process that was in effect on the date it was received. To meet this deadline, your paper application and all supporting documentation must have been received in our Birmingham office by 11pm GMT on 31 December 2020.

EEA-qualified dental care professionals applying for GDC registration from 11pm GMT on 31 December 2020

To apply, you will need to follow the assessment process for overseas dental care professionals.

Dental care professionals with temporary and occasional (T&O) registration

From 1 January 2021 the GDC can no longer register EEA-qualified dental care professionals for T&O services.

Further information

From 11pm GMT on 31 December 2020, exempt person status no longer applies. Applicants with qualifications gained outside the UK and not listed in V.3. Annex V of Directive 2005/36/EC at 11pm GMT on 31 December 2020 will need to apply for registration via the applicable overseas route. Information on the route for dental care professionals can be found on our website. Information on the route for dentists can be found in our Overseas Registration Exam section or the Royal College of Surgeons of England Licence in Dental Surgery page.
If you were previously registered with the GDC, but are not now, we will not review your qualifications at the point of restoration to the register so you will be unaffected by the changes. You do not need to take any further action until you make an application to rejoin the register.
This guidance only concerns the registration of professional qualifications. For further advice on obtaining the right to live and work in the UK, please consult the following pages on the gov.uk website, where you will find details on the New Immigration System, the EU Settlement Scheme, the Right to Reside, and obtaining a Health and Care Visa. As the content on these webpages is not owned or managed by the GDC, we are unable to guarantee its accuracy or currency.
Please note, where we have provided access on this website to V.3. Annex V of Directive 2005/36/EC, this is an excerpt from a full copy of Directive 2005/36/EC correct as of 11pm GMT 31 December 2020.