Looking to Practice Dentistry Abroad?

Posted on Monday, November 25, 2024 by Dental Jobs — No comments

Looking to Practice Dentistry Abroad? Basic Qualification Requirements in the EEC, UK, and US

Want to practice dentistry abroad? If you would like to relocate to the EEC, UK, or US to practice dentistry, you must meet regional education, language, and registration/licensing requirements. Below we outline the basic compliance requirements for dentists. The process is streamlined in the European Economic Community and the United Kingdom and more complex and time-consuming in the United States.

How Foreign-Trained Dentists Can Practice in the EEC

Each country in the EEC has a similar, but unique process, which enables foreign-trained dentists to practice dentistry abroad. The process is faster and easier for those trained in the EEC.

EEC-Trained and Licensed/Registered Foreign Dentists

In most cases, dentists who are registered/licensed to practice in one EEC country can practice in other EEC countries without additional education, exams, or registration/licensing. You must obtain the appropriate work visa. Your employer may request a language proficiency test.

Non-EEC Trained or Licensed/Registered Foreign Dentists

If you are practicing short-term as a visiting professor, postgraduate student, researcher, or volunteer you may be eligible for a short-term registration/license. A valid student or travel visa is required during your short-term stay, and you may be required to practice under the supervision of a qualified dentist.

If you are not EEC trained and licensed/registered, the process varies by country, but is similar to the steps below:

Verification of Qualifications: Dentists must provide proof of their qualifications, such as a dental diploma, transcripts, and home-country registration or license.
Language Proficiency: If English is not your native language, you may be required to take an English Language proficiency test or provide a passing test score/certificate.
Exam and Registration: To practice unsupervised, you must take and pass a comprehensive 2 or 3 day exam or take a comprehensive proficiency test. Upon completion, you must apply for a local-area license or registration.

How Foreign-Trained Dentists Can Practice in the UK

Pre- and post-Brexit, the UK government allows automatic registration (aka. licensing) for qualified dentists from anywhere in the European Economic Area (EEA). Dentists from non-EEA countries must follow the steps outlined below.

Dentists from the following countries who qualified before 2000 are typically able to practice dentistry abroad in the UK under similar EEA requirements:

Australia
Malaysia
New Zealand
Singapore
South Africa

Short-Term Requirements for Non-EEA Dentists in the UK

Dentists in the UK to teach, participate in research, or for postgraduate education, may apply for a Temporary Registration. A Provisional Registration is available under some circumstances. These short-term registrations are granted to dentists in the UK volunteering or those who are in the process of achieving registration from the General Dental Council. Dentists utilizing short-term registrations must be supervised and valid travel, work, or student visas are required.

Long-Term Registration Requirements in the UK for Non-EEA Dentists

To practice dentistry in the UK as a non-EEA-educated dentist, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) requires you to complete the steps below.

Step 1: Education Verification

You must submit your transcripts, proof of dental degree, and an ENIC Statement of Comparability verifying that your home-country education is comparable to the UK.

Step 2: Clinical Experience

You must complete 1,600 hours of firsthand clinical experience. New dentists can complete these hours under supervision while using a temporary GDC registration. This includes hours accumulated while achieving your dental degree but does not include observation hours.

Step 3: English Proficiency

If English is not your native language, you may need to provide a certificate from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or you must have recently passed a dental qualification exam completed in English.

Step 4: Apply for and Pass the Overseas Registration Exam or the LDS Exam

To practice dentistry abroad in the UK without supervision, you must apply for and take the General Dental Council’s (GDC) 2-part Overseas Registration Exam. You must pass Part 1 before you can take Part 2. The tests dates are often months apart and the waitlist is long. Exam fees are non-refundable. In the meantime, you can apply for your Temporary Registration and work under the supervision of a qualified dentist.

The Licence in Dental Surgery LDS exam is an alternative to the Overseas Registration Exam for dental surgeons. The exam requirements are similar, but the exam is taken in three sittings. Dental surgeons may opt for this option as the exam waitlist is typically shorter.

How Foreign-Trained Dentists Can Practice in the USA

If you earned your Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) in the US at a dental program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), or an international CODA-accredited school, you can practice dentistry in the states by fulfilling standard state licensing requirements. Internationally accredited schools include Yeditepe University in Turkey, King Abdulaziz University in Saudia Arabia, and most Canadian Dental programs.

If you received your DDS or DMD from a non-CODA-accredited dental program, you must complete a 2 to 3 year+ process.

Short-Term Requirements for Foreign Dentists to Practice in the US

There are circumstances where you may be able to teach or practice dentistry abroad in the US short-term with only an applicable work or travel visa. Supervision may be required.

Faculty, Instruction, and Research: If you are scheduled to teach at a university or continuing education program you may not need to complete full licensing requirements. You may also be able to participate in research without full licensing. Compliance requirements vary by state.
Volunteering and Short-Term Practice: Many states allow foreign dentists to volunteer their services short-term to registered non-profits. You may also be granted a temporary license to work in disaster relief and other short-term and emergency circumstances. Compliance requirements vary by state and may include working under a licensed US dentist.

Requirements For Canadian Dentists to Practice in the US

CODA recognizes Canadian dentists who completed their DDS or DMD at a school accredited by the Commission of Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC).

You must complete Steps 1, 2, and 4 as outlined below. To practice dentistry abroad as a graduate of a Canadian dental program, you may also need to take a clinical assessment. Graduates of Yeditepe University in Turkey and King Abdulaziz University in Saudia Arabia must also complete Steps 1, 2, and 4 to practice dentistry in the US.

Long-Term Requirements for Foreign Dentists to Practice in the US

Even if you are a tenured dentist, you must return to school for a 2 to 3 year Advanced Dentistry Program. You will also need to secure the applicable student visa or work visa.

Step 1 Credential Evaluation

The first step in applying to a US dental school is providing your transcripts and diploma. Your education will be evaluated to ensure it meets the minimum requirements of the Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or World Education Services (WES).

If English is not your native language, you may need to verify English proficiency, by passing the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test.

Step 2 Integrated National Board of Dental Examination (INBDE)

Next, you will need to prepare for, take, and pass the INBDE exam. This exam is required to apply to Advanced Dentistry Training Programs. The INBDE exam is a 2-day test, has 500 questions, and takes about 12.5 hours to complete. All dentists in the US, including those who are US-educated, must pass this exam.

Step 3 Apply to An Advanced Dentistry Training Program

Advanced Dentistry Training Programs are designed specifically for foreign-trained dentists. They are condensed programs that enable you to earn a US-compliant DDS or DMD in 2 to 3 years, as opposed to a full 8 years.

Step 4 State Licensing

Once you complete your education, you can begin applying for jobs. If you already know the state you want to work in, you can apply for your state license. All dentists must renew their state license every 2 years.