Recommendation 17

HM Government Accepted

Accept The Department accepts this recommendation. We agree that efficient processing of applications for the Overseas Registration Exam (ORE) is vital and are working with the GDC to identify the most efficient measures to clear their current registration backlog of dentist and dental care professional applicants. We welcome the GDC’s decisions to triple the capacity of the next three sittings of the ORE Part 1 exam from August 2023, and to increase the number of sittings for the ORE Part 2 exam from three to four for 2024, creating more than 1300 places across the additional sittings. The GDC estimates there are 1500 eligible candidates for ORE Part 1 and, in the 12 months from August 2023, the GDC will have 1800 places available for those wishing to sit ORE Part 1. In respect of ORE Part 2, the GDC has increased the number of places available to 576, which we understand is sufficient to meet the current demand from those who are both eligible and wanting to sit Part 2. This has been evidenced by recent ORE Part 2 sittings not being fully subscribed when offered. The GDC will also be providing greater information and support to candidates which we expect to increase the pass rate, again increasing throughput as well as improving efficiency. We are pressing the GDC to streamline and increase the capacity of its current registration routes so that they are more efficient and effective and will meet with them regularly to make sure they are fulfilling their commitments on this. We have already passed legislation on international registration, which came into force in March 2023, to provide the GDC with the flexibility to amend the ORE content, structure, and fees. Earlier this year, the GDC consulted on proposals for international registration routes for dentists which include further increasing the capacity of the ORE. The consultation also called for evidence to inform longer term plans on international qualifications and registration, including the potential future structure of the ORE, and alternative routes to recognition that may enable overseas-qualified dentists to join the GDC’s register more quickly. Additionally, we have already taken further action through measures to streamline the process for dentists to deliver NHS care. These include: • Following a ministerial review of the standstill provisions, dentistry qualifications from the European Economic Area will continue to be unilaterally recognised by the GDC; • Reducing the time it takes to evaluate the skills, experience, and support that an applicant needs to join the Dental Performers List and work safely in NHS primary care dentistry, through the amendments to regulation 34(4)(c) of the National Health Service (Performers Lists) (England) Regulations 2013; and • Inserting a new regulation 5A into the National Health Service (Performers Lists) (England) Regulations 2013, to allow dentists who are already included on the Performers List in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, to work in England whilst their full application is being processed.