Cost of Registration
An honest look at what it costs to register as a dentist in the UK. The exam is by far the biggest expense, and the two routes are priced very differently. On top of that sit the GDC fees, your English test and indemnity. Everything below is a 2026 figure and every one of these amounts can change.
The exam is the main cost
| Item | Fee (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ORE application | £115 | Paid once before you sit Part 1. |
| ORE Part 1 | £485 | Two computer-based papers. |
| ORE Part 2 | £6,967 | The practical assessment. VAT now applies, which is why this figure is high. |
| LDS Part 1 | £900 | Rising to £1,025 from October 2026. Two online papers. |
| LDS Part 2 | £1,575 | Rising to £1,793 from September 2026. OSCE plus structured clinical reasoning. |
| LDS Part 3 | £1,525 | Rising to £1,736 from October 2026. Manikin operative assessment. |
ORE total
Around £7,450
Driven by the Part 2 fee, which now carries VAT.
LDS total
Around £4,000 to £4,550
Lower overall, spread across three parts. Fees rise later in 2026.
These totals assume you pass each part first time. Every extra attempt means paying that part again, so preparation is also a cost decision. For a fuller comparison of the two routes, see the ORE vs LDS guide.
The other costs to plan for
| Item | Cost (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GDC application fee | About £117.23 | One-off, from 16 January 2026. A small charge may apply if you want documents returned. |
| GDC Annual Retention Fee | £698 per year | The 2026 fee for dentists. You pay it every year to stay on the register. |
| English test (IELTS or OET) | Varies by test and country | OET usually costs more than IELTS, and prices differ by country. Check the test provider for the current price before you book. |
| Indemnity or insurance | Varies widely | Legally required before you treat patients. Cost depends on the provider and the work you do. |
These are 2026 figures and they change
Exam fees, the GDC fees and test prices are all reviewed regularly, and several of the LDS fees are already set to rise later in 2026. Always confirm the current amounts on the official pages before you budget or pay.
Be first in line when your course goes live
Most of our courses are still in build. Tell us which exam you are preparing for and we will email you the moment it opens, along with early-access offers before anyone else.
- No payment now, just your details
- A friendly heads-up the day your course launches
- Early-bird pricing for people who register first
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