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IN-PERSON EVENT, hosted by the BDA's Overseas-Qualified Dentists Group

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Working towards GDC registration?

Become an Essential Affiliate member for just £33 for the year and attend these eight evening lectures for free, saving you £400!

Already GDC registered?

Become an Essential member and join our community of overseas-qualified dentists beginning their professional journey with us.

Or call / email our Membership team for help - 020 7563 4550 / [email protected] 

What to expect

This evening's session will be a panel debate looking at next steps and revisiting some of the key messages and challenges covered throughout the eight-month programme – including key speakers from the programme and new contributors.

The session hopes to inspire and inform overseas-qualified dentists about the diverse career pathways available in the UK, while equipping you with practical knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about your professional future.

Timings

18:15/30 Registration, refreshments, networking and exhibition time 

19:00 Welcome and introduction from the BDA

Panellists - Len D'Cruz, James Goldman and Anwar Tappuni

20:30 Networking

21:00 Ends

Learning objectives

  • Identify key considerations when choosing between NHS and private practice
  • Understand the importance of professional indemnity and how it supports career development
  • Explore a range of career progression opportunities, including clinical and non-clinical roles
  • Recognise the value of networking, mentorship, and community in building a successful dental career
  • The importance of CPD and understand the role of Personal Development Plans (PDPs) in career planning.

Development outcomes

A, B and D

Meet the speakers

James Goldman Associate Director of Advisory Services, British Dental Association
Len D'Cruz Head of Indemnity, British Dental Association
Anwar Tappuni Academic Lead for Oral Medicine, Barts and the London

More information

Considering your options - What’s next?

A reflective and forward-looking panel discussion for overseas-qualified dentists

Making informed choices

  • Building your professional network and community
  • Finding the right practice: values, culture, and support
  • Tips for negotiating contracts and understanding your worth.

James Goldman, Associate Director of Advisory Services, British Dental Association

Indemnity matters

  • Real-life examples of how indemnity providers support dentists
  • Understanding risk, professionalism, and the value of protection
  • Choosing the right level of cover for your career stage.

Len D’Cruz, Head of Indemnity, British Dental Association

Career progression pathways - three routes explored:

  • Working as a hospital dentist - Types of hospital settings, application process and competition ratios, career progression options, and the pros and cons
  • Becoming a specialist dentist - What is a dental specialist? Pathway to specialisation, career opportunities and considerations
  • Postgraduate studies - Types of postgraduate qualifications, benefits of further study, funding and support, integration with career goals.

Anwar Tappuni, Academic Lead for Oral Medicine, Barts and the London

Non-clinical career options

  • Roles in dental politics, regulation, education, and expert witness work
  • How to transition into non-clinical roles and what skills are transferable.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

  • Identifying credible and high-quality CPD providers
  • The importance of a Personal Development Plan (PDP)
  • Aligning CPD with your career goals and GDC requirements.

 

 

Please email [email protected] with any dietary requirements.

Hallam Conference Centre, 44 Hallam Street, London W1W 6JJ

Warren Suite and Oxford Suite, Third Floor

 

By bus
There are many buses stopping within a few minutes walk of Hallam Street, including numbers: 3, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 25, 88, 94, 137, 159, 189, 453 and C2.

By rail
Marylebone, Euston and Kings Cross St Pancras Stations are all within 10 minutes taxi rides or alternatively 15 minutes by Underground. Paddington Station (which has a direct link to Heathrow every 15 minutes) is 20 minutes walk or 10 minutes in a taxi.

By underground

The nearest stations are Great Portland Street and Oxford Circus

Great Portland Street
Circle, Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan – 5 minutes walk

Leave the station, walk South down Great Portland Street. At the traffic lights, cross over the street and continue down the road. Turn right into Devonshire Street and immediately left into Hallam Street at The Masons Arms. Continue down the road, cross Weymouth Street and walk down the road, you will then shortly arrive at 44 Hallam Street.

Oxford Circus
Bakerloo, Central, Victoria – 5 minutes walk

Leave the Tube using Exit 4, which will bring you out on the North side of Oxford Street by Ikea. Walk North away from Oxford Circus with Ikea on your left. The road starts to curve round to the left as Regent St becomes Langham Place. Cross the street at the zebra crossing and walk towards the BBC’s main entrance. Just before the entrance turn right and then left up to 44 Hallam Street.

By car
To plan your journey by car visit The AA’s Route Planner and enter the venue's postcode: W1W 6JJ. Please note that this events venue is within the Congestion Charge Zone and Ultra Low Emission Zone.

There is on-street parking nearby, see: Parking in Westminster for more information. The nearest NCP car park is at 6-7 Weymouth Mews.

Venue map

BDA's Overseas-Qualified Dentists Group

A community group for dentists qualified outside of the UK and now working, or looking to work, as a dentist in the UK. A monthly CPD lecture from September 2025 to April 2026, which is free to attend for BDA members and provides an opportunity to network with other dentists, BDA advisers and key external advisers.