Dentists working in Britain

Registration with the GDC

Registration with the British General Dental Council is compulsory for any dentist who wishes to work in Britain. For more information, please see http://www.gdc-uk.org/Potential+registrant/

Non-EU dentists can see here if they can register. South African dentists who qualified before 2001 stand an excellent chance to be registered.

Work permits

European Doctors & Nurses Ltd cannot give immigration advice. We can however, sponsor the work permit application for candidates that we accept. We require that all our candidates pass IELTS in line with the GDC's requirement.

Our jobs

We are seeking to employ dentists on a fixed term contract. Extensions of contracts can be negotiated if all parties agree. Dentists interested in longer term (1 year plus) contracts are preferable. If you are interested, please contact us at enquiries@europeandoctors.co.uk with your CV.

Paying Tax in Britain

Alas everyone in Britain has to pay tax, and that includes dentists. Tax is deducted from your salary at source. It includes a deduction for National Insurance, which pays for healthcare, sickness benefit and pension. These are deducted automatically: in some circumstances you may be able to reclaim payments when you leave Britain permanently. You can find out more from an Inland Revenue (tax) office, whose address will be in your local telephone directory.

Keep records of all payments you receive, such as fees for cremation certificates, police statements, lectures, or medical reports. You are required by law to complete an annual Tax Return, and Self-Assessment of your tax liability, although you may find it easier to employ an accountant to help you. Ask your payroll office, or your bank, for advice.

National insurance number

If you do not have a British National Insurance number, you must get one. To get a National Insurance number, you must make an appointment for an "evidence of identity" interview at the nearest Job Centre. This is a government office which can be found in most large towns or city districts. You will need to take proof of identity (such as a passport) as well as evidence that you are working. You can find the nearest office in the telephone directory, or visit http://www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/ni_number.asp.

Worker registration scheme for accession state doctors and dentists

Please note From 1 May 2004, most nationals of the new member states (except Cyprus and Malta) working in the UK will be subject to the Accession State Worker Registration Scheme. Where they are subject to the scheme, they need to register if they plan to work for more than one month for an employer in the UK.

 Please see this link this link for more details. It is the doctor or dentist’s responsibility to register as soon he or she starts working.

Your family

In Britain it is a legal requirement to leave children under 14 attended by a responsible adult. If you have young children and both parents are working, you will need to arrange appropriate childcare. Children between 5 and 16 are required by law to attend school, which is free of charge during the time you are training in Britain. Private schools are available for children of all ages, but tend to be expensive in relation to a junior doctor’s salary. 

Below the age of five, nursery school places may be available, but you may have to pay for this 'pre-school' education. Colleagues at your hospital, and your local education authority (look in the telephone directory) will be able to advise you further.

You need to register yourself and your family with a general practitioner when you arrive in Britain. All treatment is free, although some medicines need to be paid for.