New legislation states it will no longer be possible to offer skilled worker visa sponsorship for several key dental roles, but can it still be done?
The new legislation, which will come into effect on 22 July 2025 is crystal clear that it will no longer be possible to offer new sponsorship for dental therapists and dental hygienists under SOC code 3212 or dental nurses under SOC code 6133. From this date only jobs considered to be at least RQF level 6 will be eligible for sponsorship within the skilled worker route, and these roles are considered to be lower than this.
The relevant part of the Statement of Changes is page 119 – 121.
After 22 July it will therefore no longer be possible for anyone outside the UK to move here in order to take up one of these roles. It will also be prohibited for those in the UK on other visas such as graduate (PSW), student or dependant routes to obtain a skilled worker visa for these roles.
In what situations can a skilled worker visa still be used?
Sponsorship can still be offered for these roles only in the following situations:
- To extend a current visa with the original sponsor
- To switch to a new role with the original sponsor (eg dental nurses who now have GDC registration and wish to work as a dental therapist)
- To switch to a new employer provided that the applicant holds a skilled worker visa which was granted on the basis of a certificate of sponsorship issued prior to 22 July 2025.
We are aware of cases where skilled worker visas have been granted for dental therapist roles based on a certificate of sponsorship assigned under SOC code 2259, for which it will still be possible to offer sponsorship after 22 July. The CASCOT occupational coding tool, which the Home Office directs applicants to within their guidance on skilled worker visa eligible occupations and codes, clearly states however that the most appropriate code for a dental therapist is 3212, giving a score of 83 compared to a score of 40 for 2259.
It is vital that the correct SOC is selected by an employer when assigning a certificate of sponsorship (CoS). Assigning a CoS for a dental therapist under 2259 (or indeed 2253 which is to be used for dentists) leaves the applicant liable to refusal of their visa application along with possible revocation of the sponsor licence.
What should be done about these changes?
The upcoming changes are drastic and will have a catastrophic effect on an industry which is already crippled by a lack of suitably qualified workers.
Prior to 1 December 2020, when it was previously the case that roles had to be classified at RQF level 6 in order to offer sponsorship, dental therapist and hygienist roles (SOC Code 2219) were classified as level 6. (See p812 of the legislation in place at that time.)
There is no justification to reclassify these roles at a lower level, indeed Gov.uk states that dental hygienist roles are classified at RQF Level 6.
The following action needs to be taken:
- Return SOC code 3213 (dental therapist and hygienist) to a classification of RQF level 6
- Add SOC code 6113 (dental nurse) to the temporary shortage list.
We are pleased to see that the BDA are now lobbying, and their excellent open letter to home secretary Yvette Cooper and health and social care secretary Wes Streeting can be found here.
We would urge all dental practice owners with influence to contact their local MP in order to highlight these issues further. We have submitted a petition for approval regarding the changes and will provide the appropriate link once this is available to sign.
To see whether White Rose Visas can assist your dental practice regarding any of the above matters, or for assistance with acquiring or maintaining a sponsor licence, visit our dedicated dental recruitment page.
This article is sponsored by White Rose Visas.
