Countries > UK for Dentists > ORE
UK for Dentists — GDC ORE
ORE — Overseas Registration Exam
The Overseas Registration Examination (ORE) is the main route for internationally trained general dentists whose qualifications are not recognised for direct UK registration. It is run by the General Dental Council (GDC). ORE has two parts: a written Part 1 and a clinical Part 2. Both parts are currently held in London only. Passing ORE allows you to apply separately to the GDC for full registration.
Pathway Snapshot
The ORE pathway is application-first. You must become an approved ORE candidate before booking Part 1.
Complete Journey: Overseas Dental Qualification → GDC ORE Application → Part 1 (London) → Part 2 (London) → GDC Registration → Practise in the UK.
Main Links
Eligibility
A recognised overseas primary dental qualification must be assessed by the GDC, with a UK ENIC Statement of Comparability. You must provide clinical references demonstrating at least 1,600 hours of clinical experience personally treating patients in the dental chair. A Certificate of Good Standing is required from the dental regulator in your country of qualification and, if different, the country where you last worked. A character reference is also required. Employer sponsorship is not required to apply or sit the exam.
The ORE application processing fee is £115. The GDC aims to assess complete applications within 60 working days, though this can take longer during peak periods.
English Language Requirement
The GDC requires evidence of sufficient English language for safe practice. The commonly cited standard is IELTS Academic overall 7.0 with no section below 6.5. However, some official GDC-adjacent sources state no subscore below 7.0. Because this difference exists, MCIQ recommends confirming the exact IELTS subscore requirement against the GDC's current English language controls guidance before relying on it for application decisions.
The GDC does not currently list OET as an accepted equivalent test for dentist registration in the sources reviewed. Other evidence, such as a primary dental qualification taught and examined entirely in English, may be accepted.
ORE Part 1
ORE Part 1 is a computer-based examination held at London venues. It is not currently available as a remote/home examination.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
|
Format |
Two computer-based papers |
|
Paper A |
Dental science and human disease |
|
Paper B |
Clinical dentistry, law and ethics, and health and safety |
|
Question types |
Single best answer and extended matching questions |
|
Duration |
3 hours per paper; 6 hours total |
|
Question count |
Not currently published by the GDC |
|
Pass mark |
Not published as a fixed percentage |
|
Attempts |
Maximum 4 attempts |
|
Fee |
£485 (2026/27 contract year) |
|
Location |
London venues only |
|
Result validity |
Part 2 must be passed within 5 years of the first Part 1 attempt |
ORE Part 2
ORE Part 2 is a clinical examination held at UCL Eastman Dental Institute, London. It consists of four components.
Pass mark for the overall Part 2 is not published. Maximum 4 attempts. If you fail only the Medical Emergencies component, a retake of that component alone is possible for £686.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
|
Dental Manikin (DM) |
3 hours; candidates perform three procedures on a dental manikin |
|
OSCE |
Multiple stations covering history taking, communication, judgement, ethics, clinical examination, and clinical dentistry |
|
Diagnostic & Treatment Planning (DTP) |
Actor-based history plus supporting records; tests diagnosis and treatment planning |
|
Medical Emergencies (ME) |
Structured scenario-based oral plus single-handed basic life support demonstration |
Capacity & Fees
The UK is currently expanding ORE capacity significantly.
Note: ORE Part 2 fees increased from £4,235 to £6,967 in the 2026/27 contract year. The figures above are the current official published rates. Confirm all fees through the GDC and Pearson VUE/booking platforms before payment.
All figures are approximate and based on 2026 public information. Always confirm exact fees on the official portals before payment.
| Item | Approx. Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
ORE application processing fee |
£115 | Official GDC figure |
ORE Part 1 fee |
£485 | 2026/27 contract year |
ORE Part 2 fee |
£6,967 | Increased from £4,235 |
ORE Part 2 Medical Emergencies-only retake |
£686 | If only ME is failed |
GDC registration application fee after ORE |
£117.23 | Separate from the exam |
GDC Annual Retention Fee |
£698 per year | Once registered |
ORE Part 1 capacity |
600 places per sitting; 2,400 in contract year one | Official expansion |
ORE Part 2 capacity |
144 places for September 2026, rising to 200 per sitting; target 1,500 per year by year three | Official expansion |
After ORE
Passing ORE Part 2 does not automatically grant registration. You must submit a separate registration application to the GDC. No employer sponsorship is required for registration. No mandatory period of supervised practice is required for full registration. CPD obligations begin once registered.
What we offer
ORE Part 1 question bank mapped to the GDC examination domains, with scenario-based clinical questions, flashcards, self-assessments, trained AI companion, mentorship, a dental library, study groups, and more.
Notify me when ORE Part 1 Prep is available →