The Overseas Registration Examination - ORE

The examination, currently known as the International Qualifying Examination (IQE), has recently been reviewed. Following a public consultation a new examination format to replace the IQE has been agreed. This new examination will be known as the Overseas Registration Examination (ORE). In order to be a successful gatekeeper to the Dentists' Register - and hence protect the patient - the ORE will use modern assessment methods which will ensure a robust and consistent examination.

Please read the frequently asked questions about the ORE for further information about the new examination

There is now a provisional reading list available for the ORE. Please click here to see this list.


Details of the ORE are subject to approval by the Privy Council and any information relating to the examination is for advance information only

The two parts of the new examination will be taken in order

Part 1 is designed to test the application in theory of a candidate's knowledge to clinical practice. It will consist of two written papers undertaken at a computer, with each paper lasting three hours. The style of question will be Extended Matching Questions (EMQs) and Single Best Answer questions (SBAs).

The purpose of Part 2 is to test the candidate's ability to practise clinical skills safely. It will be in four sections:

(a) An Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).

(b) A practical examination on a dental manikin. Candidates are required to perform three procedures during a period of three hours.

(c) A diagnosis and treatment planning exercise.

(d) An examination in medical emergencies

Both parts of the ORE must be passed in full. New candidates will not be given exemption from any part of the examination

We expect to open the waiting list for the ORE in the summer, once all arrangements have been made. Full information for potential candidates, including interim guidance documents and application packs will be available several weeks before the list opens. Potential candidates can contact us now to request a pack to be sent to them in the future by sending an email to examapplications@gdc-uk.org. We expect the first sitting of Part 1 of the new exam will take place in the autumn.

Please note that the waiting list will open for the ORE only.

Transitional period for current candidates

A transitional period will exist for candidates on the current IQE. These candidates will be contacted with further details of the transitional period in due course

As part of the introduction of the new examination, we are proposing to introduce a requirement of 1600 hours prior clinical experience for non-EEA dentists. This must be time spent personally treating patients in the dental chair. We are proposing that this experience could include experience gained in the form of primary dental qualification, post-qualification work experience, or a combination or both

We would like to hear the views of current candidates, potential candidates, registrants, patients and others who may be affected by our proposal for prior clinical experience for entry to our statutory examination for overseas dentists

Recruitment of dentists to work in the United Kingdom

The Department of Health (England) has recently released a statement about changes to the recruitment of non-European Economic Area (EEA) dentists to the NHS. You can read the Department of Health's statement here.

We advise overseas-qualified (non-EEA) dentists, who wish to take the exam, to investigate the employment opportunities available to them on registration. As outlined in the statement, dentists who complete the statutory examination may now need to do up to a year’s Vocational Training (VT) in order to work for the NHS.

Success in the exam is not a guarantee of employment or a VT place. For further advice on VT, please contact the primary care trust (PCT) or the postgraduate dental deanery where you wish to practise

Select the following link for a list of PCTs.

Select the following link for a list of dental deaneries.

Information on employment opportunities is also available from the British Dental Association.

Pre-examination language test

Dentists applying to sit the exam must demonstrate they have a good standard of English. Candidates are required to submit a single, Academic IELTS Test Report Form before their application will be accepted.

1- The form must
2- be no more than two years' old on receipt at the GDC
3- show a minimum overall band score of 7.0
4- show no score lower than 6.5 in any section

In sections where scores are given in whole numbers only, a minimum score of 7 is required. Dentists who are nationals of the EEA or entitled to be treated no less favourably than nationals of the EEA are exempt from the English language requirement. This is in accordance with European Law