"Eighty per cent of success is in showing up !" Woody Allen
THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES AHEAD OF YOU WOULD BE GETTING A VISA TO WORK IN UK AND SECURING A JOB AFTER THAT! NOT TO DISCOURAGE BUT THIS IS THE REALITY. TWO OF MY FRIENDS IN UK (WITH VISA) HAVE COMPLETED THIS PROCESS (3 AND 5 MONTHS AGO), BUT HAVE NOT FOUND JOBS. IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE, BUT NEITHER IS IT EASY.
Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists work in many settings that include general practice, specialist practice (e.g. periodontal or orthodontic), hospital or community, health promotion, dental education or research.
You can apply to be a 'Dental Hygienist ' or 'Dental therapist ' if you have a dentistry degree - the paperwork needed for getting onto this list is a humongous (I hear).
THE PROCESS
Go to GDC website
Create a login id if you don't have one
Go to registration for DCP
Click on registration for hygienist or therapist
Then you will receive a proforma. Submit the details to GDC
Once that is successful you will get the application pack from GDC via email
Forms and additional paperwork needed are (NONE OF THE ORIGINALS WILL BE GIVEN BACK). It also may be a wise idea to apply for ORE at the same time as the paperwork needed is almost the same. Each application (Hygienist and therapist are separate applications- cost is £529/pack)
Hygienist - Mostly scale and polish (Perio)
Therapist -Hygienist work and pediatric treatment including extractions, adult restoration .(under the prescription of a dentist)
Application form
IELTS
Learning outcome professional reference
Good standing letter
Learning outcome form
Syllabus comparison
CPD required (Tips do more CPD )
Professional reference (The more the better , like dental camps, especially !)
One of my juniors and friends preparing for ORE and has a spouse visa has now successfully completed this process . This is what she has to say about the process.
"Difficulty is filling out the 32-page learning outcome form. You have to show proof of each topic you have learned - for example - the page number of textbook you have read /studied from. There is no guarantee if your application will go through, they may give objection and ask for more evidence. But I would strongly recommend going through an agency. Because they will let u know what exactly to fill in especially reference forms and learning outcome "
CPD List Advised
Compulsory CPD was introduced by the General Dental Council on 1 August 2008 for all dental care professionals (DCPs). Dental hygienists and dental therapists will be required to undertake 150 hours of CPD over a five-year cycle. One-third of the requirement will be termed verifiable CPD. (Must have a certificate)
This list is exhaustive and can benefit you in the whole career and its preparation. I had to make whole evidence to working on the NHS when I started and my portfolio and evidence were 2 huge folders thick!!!
Make a Personal Development plan( what all courses you want to do and why - in the next year)
Medical emergencies and BLS (10 hours per cycle);
Disinfection and decontamination (5 hours per cycle);
Radiography and radiation protection (5 hours per cycle).
Law and ethics
Data Protection
Consent and patient communication
Record keeping
Complaints handling
Audit
Risk assessment
Infection control - single-use instruments, needle stick injury, blood-borne virus, waterlines disinfection, impression disinfection, sterilisation, PPE, hand hygiene, vaccinations
Safeguarding - children and vulnerable adults -Level 1,2,3
First Aid
When to treat /when to refer
Working with rest of team - dentist, nurses, reception, specialist
Communication with the rest of the team
Health and safety - using computer screens, lifting heavy objects, fire safety,
COSHH
RIDDOR
Mental Capacity Act
ALL things Perio - diagnosis, treatment, follow up, monitoring, saliva
Systemic diseases - causes and manifestations in mouth and treatment
Pediatric dentistry - Fluoride, eruption patterns, orthodontic referral , fissure sealing, hall technique, patient management, sedation
General - Local anaesthetics, rubber dam,
There are a few people I know who have successfully applied for this by themselves. It is a long process and can take 6-8 months. You can get an idea following this step -by step guide.
There are a few agents that help with the paperwork needed for this with a nominal fee and they are highly recommended. Some do all the paper work and some only guide you, do your enquiries and be clear of what to expect before you pay a fee.