Language Requirements for Dentists

In order to register with the General Dental Council you do not need to present evidence of your English language skills, however, an approved language certificate is required to register with PCT's in England and LHB's (Local Health Boards) in Wales. This means that if you intend to work within the NHS in England or Wales you need to provide satisfactory proof of your English language abilities. Please note that Local Health Boards in Scotland have recently started implementing of a requirement of language competency. This vary between the Boards and we are awaiting a clarification from the Central Legal Office of Scotland NHS.

The Department of Health (DoH) issued guidelines for PCT's about language requirements for dentists applying for inclusion in PCT dental performer lists. In the newest update (07 July 2009) the DoH clearly states that the list of language exams in the document is not exclusive and other evidence of English knowledge can be accepted as well. This means that other language certificates should be considered.

You can download the full guidelines here. We advise dentists who wish to work in England & Wales to have a valid language certificate from the table below before registering with a PCT in England or LHB in Wales. If you do not have a valid certificate your registration process may be significantly delayed.

*CEF : Common European Framework

Some PCT's also accept FCE and CAE certificates. Unfortunately there are also few PCT's which do not follow these guidelines and set higher standards for overseas dentists (see the page about PCT registration).

The language requirements apply for all overseas dentists who are EEA nationals (or eligible to be treated as EEA nationals) with exception of dentists who qualified from:

•  a UK or Irish Republic dental school; or

•  any other dental school where the dental degree course is taught in full in English

Dentists from outside the EEA who have to sit ORE are required to submit IELTS certificate to the GDC therefore are not subject to the language test guidelines.

Please note that there is no information on how long language certificates are valid. From non-EEA applicants the GDC accepts IELTS certificates which are no more than two years old. According to EA law EEA dentists should not be treated less favourably, therefore certificates which are no older than two years should not be questioned by the PCT's. However this may not be honoured by all PCT's and we advise dentists to have a language certificate which is not older than 1 year at the date of applying for the inclusion to the PCT list.

Better English = More Money

It is in your best interests to speak good English. This is to ensure good communication with patients and the practice staff. Usually you can also earn more money if you speak better English as you can more easily convert NHS patients into private. Many patients will also perceive you as a better dentist if you speak good English. Furthermore, you are likely to have less problems when dealing with patients' complaints. If you are unfortunate enough to get a complaint from a dissatisfied patient you will be in a better position to explain the situation to him or her with a higher level of English.

You should also remember that writing skills are also important (although the terminology required is not so broad). This is because dentists are responsible for making notes in patients' records. Even if your dental nurse is kind enough to write notes on your behalf, you are still responsible for what is written. In case of a patient's claim or complaint, the notes and patient records are the first place to check things that are checked. Therefore it is important to make good and adequate notes.

Here are some helpful links:

http://www.umm.edu/oralhealth/proced.htm - dental procedures in English

http://www.bath.ac.uk/ubelt/learning/index.html - UBELT Language Learning web page

http://www.bath.ac.uk/ubelt/learning/samples.html - UBELT sample tests

http://www.learnenglish.org.uk/  - British Council

http://users.utu.fi/micnel/Dental/dental_english_lessons.htm - dental English lessons

http://www.teachingheart.net/teeth.html - dental advice for children, poems, etc.

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