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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 lectures aim to introduce overseas-qualified dentists to 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.

You'll have the opportunity to meet with and hear from prominent BDA advisors, get an overview of the British Dental Association’s role in UK dentistry, hear how the BDA supports dentists throughout their careers and how it provides opportunities for networking, advocacy, and professional development.

Timings

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

19:00 Welcome and introduction from the BDA

Lectures from Tom King, Len D'Cruz and Mariya Dolhova

20:30 Networking

21:00 Ends

Learning objectives

  • Describe the roles of the GDC, CQC, NHS, and other key organisations in UK dentistry
  • Understand the different types of dental practice in the UK: NHS, mixed, private, and salaried services
  • Recognise how general dental practice operates, including the roles of the wider dental team
  • Reflect on the lived experience, the challenges and opportunities, of working in the UK through a real-life case study.

Development outcomes

B and D

Meet the speakers

Len D'Cruz Head of Indemnity, British Dental Association
Mariya Dolhova Dental Therapist, UK and Paediatric Dentist, Ukraine
Tom King Head of Policy and Research, British Dental Association

More information

Understand the structure of dentistry in the UK and what it is like to work in general practice

The structure of dentistry in the UK

  • The role of the General Dental Council (GDC) in regulation and standards
  • The Care Quality Commission (CQC) and its role in practice inspections
  • Overview of NHS dentistry, private practice, mixed models, and salaried dental services
  • How these systems interact and what they mean for day-to-day practice.

Working in general dental practice

  • How a typical UK dental practice is structured
  • The dentist’s role within the wider dental team
  • Scope of practice for Dental Care Professionals (DCPs): dental nurses, hygienists, therapists, technicians.

Case study: From Ukraine to the UK - the challenges and opportunities

A personal story from an overseas-qualified dentist

  • Initial challenges and cultural adjustments
  • Key differences from practising in my home country
  • Lessons learned and advice for others
  • What I enjoy most about working in the UK.

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.