Following registration as a Dentist with the GDC, every Dentist wishing to practise NHS dentistry must first be included in the Dental Performer List of either England, or Scotland, or Wales, or Northern Ireland.

To be clear, NHS Dental Performer List inclusion is not necessary for private dentistry only.

Although private dentistry is gaining ground in the UK, NHS dentistry continues to be the major source of revenue for the majority of dental practices and Associate/Employed Dentists.

That’s why most Dentists who aim to work in the UK, especially the newly qualified or relatively inexperienced ones, should realistically aim to achieve inclusion in the NHS Dental Performer List of their chosen UK country.

You are perfectly fine doing both NHS and private dentistry in parallel, from the same dental practice, for the same patient and at the same time. There will be differences in how – and how much – you get paid for your services.

Six reasons to choose Dental Performer List by UKmed

We will:

  • take care of every compliance requirement until the end of your first month in a UK-based dental practice
  • actively help you complete your main Dental Performer List application as well as all the parallel steps, including your job finding campaign, Enhanced Disclosure application, visa and Occupational Health clearance appointment in the UK
  • prepare a well-written professional CV that you can use for years to come
  • help you avoid delays and mistakes, for example we will review your contract and advise you how you could achieve better pay and conditions
  • work with your employer to get your Certificate of Sponsorship and Enhanced Disclosure done
  • coach you throughout, including preparing you for your clinical assessment interview with the NHS.

When should I begin the NHS Dental Performer List process?

Generally speaking, you can achieve Dental Performer List inclusion outside the UK. Many – including dental practices – will tell you that you need to enter the UK first and then apply for a Performer List number. We advise strongly against this strategy. It almost always translates to a waste of time, money and professional potential.

Dental Performer List inclusion is a complicated process with multiple parallel strands of work, so you need to start planning early. We recommend seeking our expert advice. It’s important to note that, before you get included in the List, you must have accepted a job offer.

The first major milestone of the Dental Performer List process is conditional inclusion. This will take at least six months, with nine months also common. Conditional inclusion means that for the first 6-12 months of your NHS contract you will be treating patients only under part-time senior supervision. There will also be training conditions to meet. Don’t worry! You will be getting paid fully and the conditions are achievable through your normal work. What’s hard is joining the Dental Performer List in the first place.

UKmed has successfully completed the NHS Dental Performer List process for numerous Dentists.

Could the NHS refuse to include me in the Dental Performer List?

Yes.

The NHS could reject your application for various different reasons. Some are procedural – for example, they could reject your supporting documents. Other reasons are substantive – say if you lack recent English language knowledge or have unexplained gaps in your CV.

That’s why UKmed always recommends that you seek expert career advice to highlight the risks and opportunities ahead of you, and to plan how to improve your chances.

Is there a single UK-wide Dental Performer List?

No.

England has its own, and so do Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Scotland has a markedly different Dental List inclusion process to England and Wales. In Scotland you must pass a mandatory test (you pay its cost). However, Scotland is similar to England and Wales in that it requires you to apply and submit lot of supporting documentation at various stages of the process.

Northern Ireland has its own Dental List, and the process to join it is quite similar to the NHS’s.

Is NHS dentistry the same in every UK country?

No.

Wales, for example, is starting to pay NHS dentists in a way that combines UDA’s (Units of Dental Activity), prevention and incentives to include more new patients in their patient lists.

England has for several years now been piloting a new business model for NHS dentistry, however, it still focuses on UDA’s.

Whichever UK country or area you pick, it’s wise to choose based on sound career advice, not rumours or other people’s stories.

I have not yet registered with the GDC

You cannot apply for NHS Dental Performer List inclusion without being registered as a Dentist with the GDC.

You could then start with our GDC registration service, provided that it fits in with your career aspirations.

I have more questions about dentistry in the UK

We are here to listen and coach before you make a potentially life-changing move.

Price

If you are interested in our NHS Dental Performer List all-inclusive package, please contact us for a quotation.

Includes:

  • the main Dental Performer List application
  • our CV copywriting service
  • CPD advice
  • our Hire and Visa service
  • obtaining an Enhanced Disclosure from the DBS
  • contract review and advice
  • three job finding campaigns
  • the cost of one mandatory CPD course
  • targeted interview preparation
  • career support and advice until the end of your first month as a Dental Performer in the UK.

We are happy to set up a payment plan in instalments for you.

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