Go to content
  2. Learning
  3. Courses and events
  4. Overseas-Qualified Dentists Group: Starting out in the UK - December

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

Blue bell

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 lectures will equip overseas-qualified dentists with the knowledge and confidence to understand, evaluate, and negotiate employment contracts in the UK dental sector. The session will highlight key legal, financial and ethical considerations to help participants avoid exploitation and make informed career choices.

You'll have the opportunity to meet with and hear from two senior BDA advisers on two very important and relevant topics - employment contracts and pensions.

Timings

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

19:00 Welcome and introduction from the BDA

Lectures from James Goldman and Phil McEvoy

20:30 Networking

21:00 Ends

Learning objectives

Navigating employment contracts to help you make informed decisions

  • Identify essential components of an associate contract and understand their legal implications
  • Evaluate pay structures, working hours, and benefits commonly offered to dental associates
  • Recognise red flags in job offers and contracts and know how to respond appropriately
  • Understand private capitation schemes and their impact on associate earnings
  • Prepare effectively for interviews and assess practice culture and career development opportunities
  • Access resources for support and dispute resolution in employment matters.

An essential guide to NHS pensions – “What’s in it for me?”

  • Explain how the NHS Pension Scheme is structured and administered
  • Identify the roles and responsibilities of dentists and administrators in managing pension contributions
  • Evaluate the financial benefits of remaining in the NHS Pension Scheme versus opting out
  • Understand how National Insurance contributions relate to state pension entitlements
  • Describe the options available for NHS pension benefits if relocating outside the UK.

Development outcomes

A, B and D

Meet the speakers

James Goldman Associate Director of Advisory Services, British Dental Association
Phil McEvoy Head of Pensions, British Dental Association

More information

Navigating employment contracts to help you make informed decisions

Associate contracts and your rights

  • What should be included in an associate contract (eg: UDA targets, termination clauses, notice periods)
  • Your rights and responsibilities as a self-employed associate
  • Importance of reviewing terms and conditions thoroughly
  • Tips for reading and understanding contract language.

Pay, working hours and benefits

  • Typical pay structures for associates (eg: UDA rates, private income splits)
  • Entitlements: sick pay, holiday leave, working hours (especially for salaried roles)
  • Negotiating fair terms and understanding your value
  • Overview of private capitation schemes, how they affect your income as an associate.

Navigating the dental job market and avoiding exploitation

  • What to look for in a practice: ethos, team dynamics, clinical standards
  • Red flags in job offers and contracts (eg: unclear pay terms, excessive targets)
  • How to spot unethical practices or exploitative arrangements
  • Resources for support: BDA contract checking, legal helplines, advisory services
  • Handling disputes or breaches of contract professionally.

 

An essential guide to NHS pensions – “What’s in it for me?”

How your NHS Pension is administered
  • Overview of the NHS Pension Scheme (including the 1995, 2008, and 2015 schemes)
  • Role of NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) in pension administration
  • Responsibilities of dentists: ensuring accurate contributions, understanding annual statements, and retirement planning.
The value of the NHS pension
  • Explanation of Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) scheme
  • Benefits: inflation protection, death in service, ill-health retirement
  • What you give up if you opt out: long-term financial implications, loss of employer contributions, and reduced retirement security.

National insurance and the state pension

  • How National Insurance (NI) contributions build up state pension entitlements
  • Coordination between NHS and state pensions
  • Tools to check your state pension forecast (eg: gov.uk portal).

Moving abroad – What happens to your NHS pension?

  • Becoming a deferred member if you leave the NHS
  • Options:
    • Leave pension in the scheme and claim later
    • Transfer to a QROPS (Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme)
    • Refund (only if under 2 years of membership)
  • Rejoining the NHS within five years and linking previous service
  • Receiving pension payments abroad and currency considerations.

NB: Exact content to be confirmed

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.

Other events you might be interested in

Event

Overseas-Qualified Dentists Group: Starting out in the UK - September

Attention overseas-qualified dentists! If you have already started working in the UK, or you are planning to work as a dentist in the UK soon, then join us on Thursday 25 September for practical and useful evening lectures. The speakers will explore the structure of dentistry in the UK, the role of key regulatory and professional bodies, and what to expect when working in general dental practice.

Event

Overseas-Qualified Dentists Group: Starting out in the UK - October

On Thursday 23 October, the second evening of lectures will take place for overseas-qualified dentists who have recently started working, or are planning to work in the UK. Gain a clear understanding of the NHS regulatory environment, performer list requirements, and operational systems, enabling you to work confidently and compliantly within NHS and private practice settings.

Event

Overseas-Qualified Dentists Group: Starting out in the UK - November

On Thursday 20 November, the third evening of lectures will take place for overseas-qualified dentists who have recently started working, or are planning to work in the UK. Hear directly from the GDC and improve your understanding of what it means to work in a regulated profession. How to maintain ongoing registration with the GDC, how to practice safely, and how to avoid facing a Fitness to practise investigation.

Event

Overseas-Qualified Dentists Group: Starting out in the UK - January

On Thursday 29 January, the fifth evening of lectures will take place for overseas-qualified dentists who have recently started working, or are planning to work in the UK. A really useful session which will help you get the best out of working in your practice within the UK legal framework.

Event

Overseas-Qualified Dentists Group: Starting out in the UK - February

On Thursday 26 February, the sixth evening of lectures will take place for overseas-qualified dentists who have recently started working, or are planning to work in the UK. Len D'Cruz and Bindiya Thakrar will help you to understand the concept of indemnity cover, its legal necessity in the UK, and how it supports professional practice. The session will also explore risk management, ethical responsibilities, and teamwork within the dental profession.

Event

Overseas-Qualified Dentists Group: Starting out in the UK - March

On Thursday 26 March, the seventh evening of lectures will take place for overseas-qualified dentists who have recently started working, or are planning to work in the UK. First, Neda Hussaini Nasab and Len D'Cruz will look at how you can prepare yourself for undertaking the ORE. Following this, Raj Rattan MBE will provide invaluable tips for effective communication with your practice and patients, preparing you for practising dentistry in the UK following the ORE.

Event

Overseas-Qualified Dentists Group: Starting out in the UK - April

Thursday 23 April will complete the series of evening lectures for overseas-qualified dentists who have recently started working, or are planning to work in the UK. A panel debate will help you consider your next steps and revisit some of the key messages and challenges covered throughout the programme – including key speakers from the past months and new contributors.