Step 2 – What is the ORE Exam?
The only way to practice dentistry for a dentist with a foreign dental degree (Outside UK) is to pass ORE, a licensing exam conducted by General Dental Council.
This exam is held twice a year (i.e. in April and September approximately) in the UK. The exam is based on UK dental curriculum and has 2 parts (Part 1- Theory n Part 2- Practical/Clinical).
Important points on ORE:
- The ORE is an exam that overseas qualified dentists have to pass in order to register with the GDC. Registration allows dentists to practice dentistry unsupervised in the UK.
- The ORE tests the clinical skills and knowledge of dentists from outside the European Economic Area whose qualifications are not eligible for full registration with the GDC here in the UK. Candidates are expected to meet or exceed the standard of a ‘just passed’ UK BDS graduate.
- The exam is based on the UK dental curriculum and uses modern assessment methods to ensure a robust and consistent exam. The exam has two parts:
- Part 1 is a written exam.
- Part 2 is a clinical exam.
- Candidates are allowed up to four attempts at each Part of the ORE. The ORE candidates will have to pass Part 2 within 5 years of first sitting Part 1.
As I said, the exam is conducted in the UK, so there are 2 possible ways of appearing in this exam
- First is by getting a tourist visa and give ORE part-1 and for Part-2, there is another visa which UKBA issue for students appearing in ORE or PLAB (for medical students).
- You can also migrate to the UK by joining a full-time masters program, either clinical or non-clinical.
- Most of the students follow the second step as you can get master’s degree along with preparation and also in the UK there are few groups started for the overseas dentist to prepare for ORE.
Official GDC statement on Visa & Immigration
The functions of the GDC are separate from those in charge of administering visas. Therefore, the GDC is unable to advise on visas. Candidates are responsible for ensuring that they are permitted to be in the UK to take the exam that they are booked on to. For information on visas and entry to the UK, please contact the UK Border and Immigration Agency.
If you make payment for an exam and then are unable to obtain a visa, you will not be refunded your fees. It is your responsibility to ensure that you can obtain a visa before you make payment for an exam.
- Dentists can join any full-time masters course by applying online to universities or by meeting their country representatives personally, as most of the universities send their counselors to take interviews and give admission offer.
- You can get information about the interview from British council, New Delhi or from consultants dealing with abroad studies.
- The best source is British council as most of the consultants are not trustworthy.
- Also be very careful of the 3rd party claiming to provide you a quicker method to clear the formalities. You are warned, such claims are utterly false and don’t pay such claims any money.
SEE NEXT SLIDE
Steps to know before you apply for the ORE Exams
(DO NOT forget to check the last slide where all the official links have been provided in a sequential manner with the help of the flow chart.)
