The number of dentists applying to take the overseas registration exam (ORE) increased by 53% in 2024, according to newly-released data.
The General Dental Council’s (GDC) Annual Report and Accounts 2024 says 3,628 ORE applications were received last year, up from 2,366 in 2023. Capacity for exam sittings also increased – part one by 50% and part two by 33%.
A total of 354 dentists joined the register via the ORE in 2024, representing 16.4% of all newly-registered dentists. This was significantly higher than the 9.3% of all UK-registered dentists who qualified via the exam.
Around seven in 10 (68.9%) of the new dentists are UK-qualified, with a further 18.4% qualifying in the European economic area and 3.4% in the rest of the world.
Demographics of the GDC register
The total number of dental professionals on the register increased by 4.8% in 2024 to 125,736. This includes 79,374 dental care professionals (DCPs) and 46,362 dentists.
The largest sector of the register is dental nursing, with more than 65,000 registered dental nurses making up 48% of the profession. The smallest group is clinical dental technicians, representing just 0.3% of the profession with 439 registrants.
The report also considered the gender balance of the GDC register. Almost eight in 10 (78%) registered professionals identify as female, though the divide varies greatly between dentists and DCPs. While more than half (53.2%) of dentists are female, the proportion of female DCPs is much higher at 92.5%.
How many fitness to practise cases took place in 2024?
The GDC also released data summarising fitness to practise proceedings taking place in 2024. A total of 1,401 concerns were raised throughout the year, up from 1,297 in 2023 and 1,264 in 2022. Of these, 73 were brought to hearing and 18 professionals were removed from the register.
One in five (21%) of the concerns were raised against professionals practising in London. A further 17% were raised against those in the rest of the south east of England.
One quarter of fitness to practise concerns in 2024 related to failure to provide good quality care. This was by far the most common concern, with personal behaviour following at 16.3%.
The average time taken to conclude single-patient clinical fitness to practise cases was 15 weeks. This is compared to 30 weeks for other types of case.
Earlier in July, the GDC announced it would be extending its use of the initial enquiries process introduced to improve the ‘timeliness and proportionality’ of fitness to practise cases. In 2023, a pilot of the process was found to reduce the amount of time taken to conclude cases from 30 to 13 weeks.
Next steps for the GDC
In a joint statement, GDC chair Lord Toby Harris and chief executive Tom Whiting explained some of the regulator’s priorities for 2025. They said: ‘2025 will see updated guidance on the Standards for Education and Scope of Practice, both after extensive and invaluable stakeholder engagement.
‘We will be bold in our plans to improve fitness to practise, improving guidance on decision making to ensure fairness and consistency, providing more support for dental professionals, through training our staff and signposting to help, and looking to address and reduce fear.’
In May, the GDC released its strategy for the coming years, saying it would focus on reducing fear of regulation among registrants. This was in response to research that found perceptions of the GDC sharply decline as dental professionals’ careers progress.
The annual report also highlights the GDC’s focus on improving its digital capability. For example, by enhancing the experience for dental professionals accessing online services such as registration and renewal.
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