This week the GDC has updated its Brexit-related information for dental professionals, following updated guidance being received by all the health and care regulators from the Department of Health and Social Care.
As the UK reaches the end of the transition period after leaving the European Union on December 31, 2020, the rules for EEA-qualified dentists and dental care professionals will work differently from January 1, 2021.
The updated guidance is as follows:
EEA qualified dentists
- EEA-qualified dentists already registered with the GDC – If you have already completed the registration process with GDC, there is no further action you need to take. You will continue to be registered to practice.
- EEA-qualified dentists who submit a GDC registration application before 11pm GMT on December 31, 2020 – Your application will be completed under the process that was in effect on the date it was received. To meet this deadline, your paper application and all supporting documentation must be received in the GDC’s Birmingham office by 11pm GMT on December 31, 2020. Further information about the current process is available on the GDC’s how to join the register page.
- EEA-qualified dentists applying for GDC registration from 11pm GMT on December 31, 2020 – The UK government has enacted legislation which enables the GDC to continue recognising EEA-qualified dentists under a near-automatic system for up to two years from January 1, 2021. Recognised EEA qualifications are those listed under V.3. Annex V of Directive 2005/36/EC. These arrangements will be reviewed no later than December 31, 2022 and any further changes to this process will be published by the GDC. If your dental qualification is listed in Annex V of Directive 2005/36/EC, your application will be processed via a similar near-automatic recognition process. Your eligibility for having your dental qualification recognised under this process does not depend upon your nationality or country of residence. If your dental qualification is not listed in Annex V of Directive 2005/36/EC, you will need to apply as an applicant with an overseas qualification. For applications to the Dentist register you will need to complete the Overseas Registration Exam or the Licence in Dental Surgery.
- Dentists with temporary and occasional (T&O) registration – From January 1, 2021 the GDC can no longer register EEA-qualified dentists for T&O services. If you are registered to undertake T&O work before 11pm GMT December 31, 2020, you can continue to provide T&O services until your temporary registration expires. You will not be able to renew your temporary registration after 11pm GMT on December 31, 2020.
- UK students studying in the EEA – If you are studying for an EEA qualification listed in Annex V of Directive 2005/23/E and are due to complete your studies during the period of near-automatic recognition, your route to registration in the UK is unaffected. If you are studying for an EEA qualification listed in Annex V of Directive 2005/23/E and are due to complete your studies after the period of near-automatic recognition, then your route to registration in the UK may be affected. Relevant further information will be shared as it becomes available.
EEA-qualified dental care professionals
- EEA-qualified dental care professionals already registered with the GDC – If you have already completed the registration process with the GDC, there is no further action you need to take. You will continue to be registered to practice.
- EEA-qualified dental care professionals who submit a GDC registration application before 11pm GMT on December 31, 2020 – Your application, including any adaptation period if applicable, will be completed under the process that was in effect on the date it was received. To meet this deadline, your paper application and all supporting documentation must be received in the GDC’s Birmingham office by 11pm GMT on December 31, 2020. Further information about the current process is available on the GDC’s how to join the register page.
- EEA-qualified dental care professionals applying for GDC registration from 11pm GMT on 31 December 2020 – To apply, you will need to follow the assessment process for overseas dental care professionals.
- Dental care professionals with temporary and occasional registration – From January 1, 2021 the GDC can no longer register EEA-qualified dental care professionals for temporary and occasional (T&O) services. If you are registered to undertake T&O work before 11pm GMT December 31, 2020, you can continue to provide T&O services until your temporary registration expires. You will not be able to renew your temporary registration after 11pm GMT on December 31, 2020.
The UK government has prepared draft legislation providing different arrangements for Swiss nationals, UK nationals settled in Switzerland and their spouses and dependents. Please read the Department of Health and Social Care guidance for further information on this and on the arrangements for EEA-qualified health and care professionals.
The information in this article is correct as of December 2, 2020. This is, however, subject to change depending on the outcome of ongoing negotiations between the UK and the EU.