Dentists Act 1984

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 (b) any exempt person who holds an appropriate European diploma;

(ba) any exempt person—

(i) whose case falls within regulation 3(9)(a) or (e) of the General Systems Regulations,

(ii) to whom regulations 20 to 26 of those Regulations apply by reason of the operation of regulation 3(4) of those Regulations, and

(iii) who is permitted to pursue the profession of dentistry in the United Kingdom by virtue of Part 3 of those Regulations (having, in particular, successfully completed any adaptation period, or passed any aptitude test, that he may be required to undertake pursuant to that Part of those Regulations); and]

(c) any person who holds a recognised overseas diploma.

(2) In subsection (1) above—

• “appropriate European diploma” shall be construed in accordance with Schedule 2 to this Act;

• F2 ...

and in this Act “recognised overseas diploma” means a diploma granted in a country overseas and recognised for the time being by the Council for the purposes of this Act, and does not include an appropriate European diploma.

F3 (2A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) A person shall not be entitled to be registered in the dentists register under [F4 paragraph (a), (b) or (ba) of subsection (1)] above unless he satisfies the registrar as to the following matters, namely—

(a) his identity;

(b) that he is of good character; and

[F5 (ba) that he has the necessary knowledge of English;]

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

(4) A person shall not be entitled to be registered in the dentists register under paragraph (c) of that subsection unless he satisfies the registrar as to the following matters, namely—

(a) his identity;

(b) that he is of good character;

(c) that he has satisfied the Council that he has the requisite knowledge and skill;

[F6 (d) that he has the necessary knowledge of English; and]

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

[F7 [F8 (4A) Subsections (4B) to (4BC) apply in relation to an exempt person (“A”) who applies for registration under paragraph (b) or (ba) of subsection (1).

(4B) For the purposes of subsection (3)(b), the registrar shall accept as sufficient evidence of A’s good character a certificate which—

(a) attests to A’s good character or good repute; and

(b) is issued by a competent authority in A’s attesting State.

(4BA) If no such certificate is issued by a competent authority in A’s attesting State, for the purposes of subsection (3)(b) the registrar shall accept as sufficient evidence of A’s good character a certificate—

(a) attesting to the authenticity of a declaration on oath made by A—

(i) before a competent judicial or administrative authority, notary or qualified professional body of A’s attesting State, and

(ii) attesting to A’s good character; and

(b) issued by the authority, notary or body referred to in paragraph (a)(i).

In this subsection, “declaration on oath” includes a solemn declaration.

(4BB) For the purposes of subsection (3)(c), the registrar shall accept as sufficient evidence of A’s good health a certificate which—

(a) attests to A’s good physical and mental health; and

(b) is required of a person who wishes to practise dentistry in A’s attesting State.

(4BC) If no such certificate is required of persons who wish to practise dentistry in A’s attesting State, for the purposes of subsection (3)(c) the registrar shall accept as sufficient evidence of A’s good health a certificate which—

(a) attests to A’s good physical and mental health; and

(b) is issued by a competent authority in A’s attesting State.

(4BD) In subsections (4B) to (4BC) the “attesting State”, in relation to A, is—

(a) the relevant European State in which A obtained his dental qualification; or

(b) (if different) the relevant European State from which A comes to the United Kingdom.]

(4C) the registrar shall not accept any certificate referred to in [F9 subsection (4B), (4BA), (4BB) or (4BC)] if it is presented more than three months after the date on which it was issued.]

F10 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) The Council may direct that for the purposes of this section a particular person who has passed the examinations required to obtain a recognised overseas diploma shall be treated as a person holding a recognised overseas diploma.

F11 (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 15(1)(b)(ba) substituted for s. 15(1)(b) (3.12.2007) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3101), regs. 1(2), 112(a)

F2 Words in s. 15(2) omitted (3.12.2007) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3101), regs. 1(2), 112(b)

F3 S. 15(2A) omitted (3.12.2007) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3101), regs. 1(2), 112(c)

F4 Words in s. 15(3) substituted (3.12.2007) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3101), regs. 1(2), 112(d)

F5 S. 15(3)(ba) inserted (1.4.2016) by The Health Care and Associated Professions (Knowledge of English) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/806), arts. 1(3), 12(2); S.I. 2015/1451, art. 5

F6 S. 15(4)(d) substituted (1.4.2016) by The Health Care and Associated Professions (Knowledge of English) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/806), arts. 1(3), 12(3); S.I. 2015/1451, art. 5

F7 S. 15(4A)-(4C) inserted (14.4.1998) by S.I. 1998/811, reg. 19

F8 S. 15(4A)-(4BD) substituted for s. 15(4A)(4B) (3.12.2007) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3101), regs. 1(2), 112(f)

F9 Words in s. 15(4C) substituted (3.12.2007) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3101), regs. 1(2), 112(g)

F10 S. 15(5) omitted (1.4.2016) by virtue of The Health Care and Associated Professions (Knowledge of English) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/806), arts. 1(3), 12(4); S.I. 2015/1451, art. 5

F11 S. 15(7) omitted (3.12.2007) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3101), regs. 1(2), 112(h)