If you qualified as a dentist outside the United Kingdom and want to register with the General Dental Council, the GDC, the 2026 pathway is more structured than it was a decade ago, but it is also more competitive. ORE Part 2 sittings remain capacity-limited, and English language evidence is being checked more carefully than in previous years. This guide explains the pathway end to end, with a particular focus on the writing practice that helps you reach OET Grade B and prepares you for the communication stations in ORE Part 2. One point matters before you book anything: the GDC does not list OET among the English evidence it accepts, so this guide treats OET as practice and as the route for other countries, not as the GDC route.
The GDC pathway at a glance
The GDC registration pathway for internationally qualified dentists has four main components. First, English language evidence: the test the GDC names is IELTS Academic, 7.0 overall with no section below 6.5. Second, ORE Part 1, a written knowledge examination delivered in the UK. Third, ORE Part 2, a clinical practical examination delivered in the UK. Fourth, GDC registration, which follows successful completion of both ORE parts.
The order matters. English evidence must be in place before you sit ORE Part 1. ORE Part 1 must be passed before you sit ORE Part 2. ORE Part 2 must be passed before you can register. There is no parallel track that skips any of these steps.
For a shorter summary of the GDC English evidence, see our GDC English requirements page.
English language requirements in detail
The GDC does not list OET among the evidence of English it routinely accepts. The one test its guidance names is IELTS Academic, with an overall score of 7.0 and no section below 6.5. The certificate must be no more than two years old. Other evidence the GDC routinely accepts includes a recent primary dental qualification taught and examined in English, a recent pass in a language test for registration with a regulator in an English-first-language country, and recent practice in an English-first-language country. The GDC may consider other evidence only if it is robust, recent and readily verifiable by the GDC, and it says this guidance is under review.
So dentists heading to the UK should plan on IELTS Academic, or ask the GDC before relying on OET. OET Dentistry remains the relevant test for dentists registering in Australia (Dental Board via Ahpra), Ireland and New Zealand. Dentists who write clinical letters in daily practice still find OET Writing practice useful for the communication side of the ORE.
Dentists writing letters that drift away from the specific clinical request will score lower on Purpose. Our OET writing criteria for Grade B guide explains how the Purpose criterion is applied.
ORE Part 1: the written exam
ORE Part 1 is a two-paper written examination. Paper A covers clinically applied dental sciences and clinically applied human disease. Paper B covers aspects of clinical dentistry. Each paper is approximately three hours. The exam is delivered in approved centres in the UK, with multiple sittings per year, although demand often exceeds capacity.
Most dentists prepare for ORE Part 1 alongside their English study. The exam tests a UK undergraduate-level knowledge of dental science and clinical practice, with particular weight on UK protocols, NHS systems, and current evidence-based guidance. Dentists who qualified in countries with different clinical protocols often need targeted preparation in areas like NHS regulatory frameworks, UK prescription practice, and current UK consent standards.
ORE Part 2: the clinical practical
ORE Part 2 is a four-part clinical practical examination. It includes an operative test on a phantom head, a diagnostic and treatment planning exercise, a clinical exercise with a simulated patient, and a medical emergencies and dental emergencies station. The examination is intensive, typically run over four days, and is delivered at a small number of approved centres in the UK.
The communication elements of ORE Part 2 are where OET preparation directly pays off. The treatment planning exercise and the simulated patient station require you to explain clinical findings, propose treatment, and obtain informed consent in clear professional English. Dentists who have practised clinical letter writing for OET usually find these communication stations easier, because they have already practised translating clinical reasoning into structured language.
2026 changes worth knowing
Two changes are worth noting for 2026. First, the GDC has continued to refine its document verification process, with stricter requirements for certificates of good standing dated within three months of submission. Second, the ORE Part 2 waitlist has grown, with many dentists waiting nine to fourteen months between passing Part 1 and securing a Part 2 slot. Plan accordingly.
Fees and timeline
| Stage | Approximate fee (GBP) | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| English test (IELTS) | 350 to 400 per attempt | 3 to 6 months preparation |
| GDC application | 235 | 4 to 8 weeks |
| ORE Part 1 | 850 | Sat once English is achieved |
| ORE Part 2 | 2,929 | 9 to 14 months after Part 1 |
| GDC initial registration | 690 | After ORE Part 2 pass |
| Annual retention | 750 | Yearly thereafter |
| Total (excluding travel and translation) | approx 5,400 to 5,900 | 12 to 24 months end to end |
Add the cost of document translation, certificate of good standing, travel to the UK for the examinations, and accommodation during the testing windows. A realistic total cost for an internationally qualified dentist registering with the GDC in 2026, including English, travel, and translation, is GBP 7,000 to 10,000.
Writing examples specific to dental scenarios
OET Writing for dentists rewards practice with dental-specific scenarios. Three scenarios show up regularly and are worth focused practice.
Post-operative discharge after surgical extraction
A typical case involves a patient who has undergone surgical removal of an impacted third molar under local anaesthetic, with sutures in place and post-operative instructions to follow. The letter is usually addressed to the patient’s general dental practitioner, with a copy to the patient. The Purpose statement should confirm the procedure, outline post-operative instructions, and request follow-up at a specific interval.
Strong opening: “I am writing to inform you that Mr Patel underwent surgical removal of his lower right third molar today under local anaesthetic, and to outline his post-operative care needs.”
The body should cover the procedure, any complications, current medication including any analgesia or antibiotics prescribed, and the timing of suture removal. The closing should request follow-up.
Periodontal referral to a specialist
A typical case involves a patient with advanced periodontal disease who requires specialist periodontal assessment. The recipient is a periodontist. The Purpose statement should request specialist assessment with a clear clinical rationale.
Strong opening: “I am writing to refer Mrs Khan, a 52-year-old patient with generalised chronic periodontitis stage III grade B, for specialist periodontal assessment given her limited response to non-surgical therapy over the past twelve months.”
The body should cover the periodontal charting, the treatment to date, the patient’s medical history including any factors affecting healing, and current oral hygiene status. The closing should request the specialist’s assessment and any recommendations for ongoing management.
Patient advice letter on post-extraction care
A typical case involves a patient who has had a routine extraction and needs written advice on post-extraction care. The recipient is the patient, not a clinician, so the register shifts. Medical terminology should be avoided or explained. Sentence length should be shorter. The tone should be supportive and clear.
Strong opening: “I am writing to provide advice on caring for the area following the tooth extraction you had today, and to outline what to expect over the next few days.”
The body should cover bleeding management, pain relief, what to eat and drink, oral hygiene, and warning signs that should prompt contact. The closing should encourage the patient to contact the practice if they have any concerns.
For broader guidance on the four OET letter types, see our OET letter types compared post and how to write an OET letter guide.
Where most dentists lose marks
The most common reason dentists lose Grade B on OET Writing is treating every case as a referral. The OET paper presents a mix of letter types, and dentists who are used to writing referrals in their daily practice sometimes default to a referral structure even when the case calls for a discharge letter, a transfer letter, or an advice letter. Genre and Style is marked on every letter, and writing a discharge letter in referral language costs marks.
The second most common reason is over-medicalising the advice letter. Dentists who are used to clinical communication sometimes struggle to translate periodontal terminology into plain English for a patient. Words like “interproximal,” “subgingival,” and “mucogingival” need either replacement or explanation in an advice letter.
How writing practice connects to ORE Part 2
The communication stations in ORE Part 2 reward the same skills as OET Writing. Clear Purpose, audience-appropriate register, controlled language, and the ability to translate clinical reasoning into structured speech. Dentists who have practised clinical letter writing for OET usually find ORE Part 2 communication stations easier, because the underlying skill is the same. The writing rehearsal you do for OET Dentistry is also rehearsal for the spoken clinical communication that ORE Part 2 demands.
For deeper coverage of dental-specific OET preparation, see our OET for dentists page.
Final thoughts
The GDC pathway for internationally qualified dentists in 2026 is achievable but demanding. The English requirement is the first gate, and the test the GDC names is IELTS Academic. The ORE is the second and third gates, and they require sustained preparation. The writing practice you do for OET is not separate from the writing you will do as a UK dentist; it is rehearsal for it.
If you are sitting OET Dentistry for Australia, Ireland or New Zealand and want targeted expert educator correction on dental-specific letters, our service at OET writing services is designed exactly for this. You can also explore the full pricing options at pricing. For most dentists, the fastest route to Grade B is to write, get corrected, and rewrite, in a loop of six to twelve corrected letters across the four main letter types.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions on this topic — full answers below.
What English evidence does the GDC accept in 2026?
What is the ORE and how is it different from the OSCE?
How long does GDC registration take in 2026?
Can I work in the UK before passing the ORE?
How much does GDC registration cost in 2026?
Is OET useful for dentists if the GDC does not list it?
What writing tasks should I practise for OET if I am a dentist?
Does the GDC require a CV or work experience verification?
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