Petition to: General Dental Council (GDC) of the United Kingdom

Overview:

We, the undersigned, call on the General Dental Council (GDC) of the United Kingdom to ensure that the exam booking process for the Overseas Registration Examination (ORE) is conducted in a fair and transparent manner. The current system, based on a first-come-first-serve basis, is inequitable and disadvantages many qualified dentists who have been attempting to sit for the exam for years.

Current Issue:

The current ORE application process in booking an exam , does not prioritize candidates who have been repeatedly unsuccessful in securing a spot (to just attempt the exam) due to high demand and technological limitations. Instead, it relies heavily on internet speed, making it a matter of luck rather than merit or persistence. The exam is booked out in less than a second!  Furthermore, there is no transparent record of the number of attempts made by candidates to just book an exam , exacerbating the frustration and inequity faced by many overseas dentists.

Structure and Limitations of the ORE:

The ORE is a two-part exam that dentists who have trained outside the United Kingdom must complete in order to gain licence to practice in the UK. They are required to complete the full ORE within five years of attempting the Part 1 exam. Additionally, candidates are limited to four attempts to pass the exam per part. With only three attempts available to book an exam each year for each part, the pressure to secure a spot is immense, making the current application process all the more critical to improve.

Financial Burden:

The financial burden on overseas dentists is significant. The fee for Part 2 of the ORE is currently £2929, which is set to increase to £4235 from January 2025. This substantial fee hike adds to the existing stress and financial pressure on candidates who are already struggling to secure an exam spot.

Impact on UK Dental Care:

The UK is currently experiencing a shortage of dentists, which affects the quality and accessibility of dental care for the public. Many overseas dentists are ready and willing to contribute to the UK healthcare system, but the flawed application process for the ORE is a major barrier. By ensuring a fairer system, the GDC can help alleviate the dental care shortage and support overseas dentists in their professional aspirations.

Our Request:

We urge the General Dental Council to:

Implement a fairer ORE application process that prioritizes candidates based on the number of previous attempts to book an exam and years of waiting.

Maintain and publish records of application attempts to book the exam , to ensure transparency.

Consider reducing the financial burden on candidates by reviewing the fee structure, especially in light of the upcoming increase in January 2025.

Facilitate a system that supports the integration of qualified overseas dentists into the UK healthcare system, thereby improving dental care for the UK population.

Conclusion:

The current application process for the ORE is unjust and hinders the professional progress of many qualified overseas dentists. By making these changes, the GDC can ensure a more equitable system, alleviate the dentist shortage in the UK, and ultimately improve dental care for all.

Sign this petition to call for a fairer and more transparent ORE application process.