Dentists Act 1984 (c. 24)

Part IIIU.K. The Dental Profession

RegistrationU.K.

15 Qualification for registration in the dentists register.U.K.

(1)Subject to the provisions of this Act the following persons shall be entitled to be registered in the dentists register in accordance with this Act, namely—

(a)any person who is a graduate or licentiate in dentistry of a dental authority; F1...

F2(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F3(ba). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F4(c)any person who—

(i)holds an overseas diploma in dentistry, and

(ii)has satisfied the Council that the person has the requisite knowledge and skill (see sections 16A (requisite knowledge and skill: holders of overseas diplomas) and 16B (requisite knowledge and skill: recognition of [F5overseas diplomas)); and]]

[F6(d)any person who—

(i)holds a specified state qualification in dentistry that is not a relevant European diploma, and

(ii)has met the requirement specified in relation to that person under section 15ZA.]

[F7(1A)Subsection (1)(c)(ii) does not apply to a person whose application under this section is made in reliance on a relevant European diploma.]

[F8(1B)Subsection (1)(c)(ii) does not apply to a person who is entitled to be registered under subsection (1)(d).]

[F9(2)[F10In this Act “overseas diploma” means—

(a)a relevant European diploma, or

(b)any other diploma granted in a country overseas.]

(2ZA)In this Act “relevant European diploma” means—

(a)an appropriate European diploma, within the meaning given by Schedule 2, that has not been designated by the Council for the purposes of this paragraph, or

(b)a dental qualification that is not an appropriate European diploma but—

(i)was granted in a relevant European State, and

(ii)demonstrates, in the opinion of the Council, a comparable level of knowledge and skill to that demonstrated by a UK diploma in dentistry F11....

(2ZB)The Council—

(a)may designate a diploma for the purposes of subsection (2ZA)(a) only with the approval of the Privy Council;

(b)must maintain and publish a list of the diplomas that are so designated.]

F12(2A). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F13(2B)The Council may determine that a specified state qualification in dentistry does not meet the standard in subsection (2ZA)(b)(ii) only where one or more of Conditions 1 to 3 are met.

(2C)Condition 1 is met where there exists a substantial difference between the level of knowledge and skill demonstrated by the specified state qualification and the level of knowledge and skill demonstrated by a UK diploma in dentistry.

(2D)Condition 2 is met where the professional activities to which a UK diploma in dentistry relates include one or more professional activities that cover substantially different matters from those covered by the specified state qualification.

(2E)Condition 3 is met where requiring an applicant to take an aptitude test or to complete an adaptation period, or to do both, would amount to requiring the applicant to acquire a UK diploma in dentistry.]

(3)A person shall not be entitled to be registered in the dentists register F14... unless he satisfies the registrar as to the following matters, namely—

(a)his identity;

(b)that he is of good character; and

[F15(ba)that he has the necessary knowledge of English;]

(c)that he is in good health, both physically and mentally.

F16(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F17(4ZA). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F18(4A). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F18(4B). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F18(4BA). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F18(4BB). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F18(4BC). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F18(4BD). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F18(4C). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F19(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F20(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F21(7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F22(8)In this section—

“adaptation period” means a period of practice, subject to an assessment and, where necessary, accompanied by further training, which is supervised by a registered dentist;
“aptitude test” means an assessment with the aim of determining whether a person has the requisite knowledge and skill;
“UK diploma in dentistry” has the meaning given by section 12A(2).]

Textual Amendments

F1Word in s. 15(1) omitted (1.12.2023) by virtue of The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 19(a)

F2S. 15(1)(b) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 5(a)(ii) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 3 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 11(4)-(10)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)