Job Opportunities for Dental Hygienists

We are currently accepting applications from overseas experienced Dental Hygienist to work in the UK.

Have you recently decided it’s time for a change, and you’re now looking for a new career challenge? Starting a new job in a different country can be very exciting and lead to lots of great opportunities, but you need to make sure that you choose the right agency to hold your hand and guide you through the process. NEU Professionals offers careers for Dentistal Professionals at some of the most prestigous dental centres and clinics in the United Kingdom.

Work in the UK

The role of a Dental Hygienist

As a Dental Hygienist, you’ll help children and adults look after their teeth and gums. Sometimes you might be working on a one-to-one basis while on occasion you’ll work with groups of people.

Application Process

To practise as a Dental Hygienist, you must obtain a diploma or degree in Dental Hygiene and be registered with the GDC.

All dental therapists need to complete an application to join the GDC registration registering as a dental care professional (DCP). 

Before you apply, you must also complete the Certificate of Good Standing Form and the learning outcomes form relevant to the DCP title(s) you are applying for.

The Overseas Registration Exam (ORE) is an exam that overseas qualified dental therapists have to pass in order to register with the GDC. Registration allows Dental Hygienists to practice unsupervised in the UK.
The ORE tests the clinical skills and knowledge of dental therapists whose qualifications are not recognised in the UK. Candidates are expected to be able to show competence, knowledge and familiarity in the different aspects of dentistry.

The exam uses modern assessment methods to ensure a robust and consistent exam. The exam has two parts. Both parts of the exam are mapped to learning outcomes and a candidate could be tested on any dentistry aspects in this document.

  • Part 1 (Written exam): Designed to test application of knowledge to clinical practice.
  • Part 2 (Clinical exam): Designed for candidates to demonstrate practical clinical skills.

To find out which application form Dental Hygienists will need to complete, applicants can use the route to registration online questionnaire. It will tell them if they are eligible for registration, and direct them to the right application pack.

Registration requirements

If you are a Dental Therapist coming from within the EU or outside the EU, You can request an assessment application form online via eGDC by selecting ‘Apply to register’. Please note, you will be asked to complete the route to registration questionnaire. Once you have completed the online form, please allow 10 working days for GDC to assess your details. You must have a recognised qualification as a Dental Hygienist to apply via this route – a qualification as a Dentist no longer qualifies you to practice as a Dental Hygienist in the UK. Along with your completed application form, you will need to send other documents including (but not limited to):

  • Qualification certificate, copy of syllabus and transcript of training,
  • Evidence that you have the required English language standard necessary for registration. Details on the requirements can be found on GDC English language controls page.

If you meet the above criteria and wish to apply with NEU Professionals as a Dental Care Professional (including Dental Nurse, Dental Therapist, Dental Hygenist or any of the vacancies listed on this link: https://olr.gdc-uk.org/SearchRegister) please send us a copy of your passport, your qualification certificate (diploma or degree) demonstrating a separate qualification as a Dental Care Professional and your transcript of training, along with your English language certificate with scores meeting the criteria of GDC. Please send this to apply@neuprofessionals.com

English Language Requirements

Applicants who qualified from outside the EEA must provide evidence of their language competence when submit their application.
The GDC accepts a certificate in an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam which demonstrates that applicants have passed the exam according to the scores set out below:

  • Overall score of at least 7, at least 6.5 in the writing, reading, listening and speaking sections.

Support Webinar

Learn more about how to start the process of registering as a Dental Professional or as a Pharmacist in the U.K. by watching our last webinar.

NEU Professionals Director, Kerry Anne Wykes and NEU Professionals Deputy Director, Claire McMinn explain what it is like to work as a Dentist, Dental Nurse, Dental Therapist (including Dental Hygienists) and as a Pharmacist in England, the requirements needed to apply, and the benefits of growing your career.

They also share their experiences about how easy it is to begin your new life working as a Dentist Professional at Tooth Club private clinics or as a NHS Pharmacist in the UK.