‘Fill the Gap’ in UK’s dental workforce

This week, I joined Parliamentarians at an event hosted by the Association of Dental Groups (ADG) to discuss how the UK can fill the gap in its dental workforce.

There are currently more than 5,500 dental vacancies in the UK, and we have per capita among the lowest number of dentists in Europe.

Many areas of the country have become dental deserts, with people unable to access dental services. In 2022, 90% of surgeries were not accepting new adult patients and 80% were also not able to see children as new patients.

In parallel with the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan to train the thousands more dentists – the effects of which will not be felt until the 2030s – the ADG is campaigning to increase the recruitment of qualified overseas dentists to address the immediate shortages in the workforce, many of whom are already in the UK.

Alongside 30 other MPs and Peers, I am urging the General Dental Council (GDC) to reform the Overseas Registration Exam (ORE), that dentists must pass in order to practice in the UK, and which currently is not fit for purpose.

Thousands of highly qualified overseas dentists, who could be practising in our ‘dental deserts’ tomorrow, are stuck in a backlog of applicants waiting to take the exam, with demand far outstripping supply for test places.

Just 1,000 extra dentists would deliver 750,000 additional appointments. This would make an enormous difference to the people across Bootle and up and down the country.

I’m calling on the GDC to:

• Increase the frequency of part 1 and part 2 of the ORE

• Deliver part 1 of the ORE online or in British Council offices overseas

• Improve the processing time for new applicants wanting to take the ORE

• Prioritise candidates who will work in the NHS and will most likely pass the ORE

• Bring forward planned reforms to recognise overseas diplomats