English Language Requirements
To register with the GDC, you must demonstrate English language proficiency through an approved test unless you qualified in a majority English-speaking country.
IELTS Academic
Overall 7.0 with no band less than 6.5
2 years
Most commonly accepted test
OET (Dentistry)
Grade B in all four components
2 years
Healthcare-specific language test
Which should you choose?
Both IELTS Academic and OET (Dentistry) are fully accepted by the GDC and RCS. Neither carries more weight than the other. The right choice depends on your background:
- →IELTS Academic is more widely available globally and has more test centres. Good if you're preparing from outside the UK.
- →OET (Dentistry) uses healthcare-specific scenarios, so many dental candidates find it more relevant and less abstract. If you're already in a clinical setting, OET may feel more natural.
Exemptions
You may be exempt from English language testing if you qualified in a country where English is the first and native language (e.g., UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand). Check the GDC website for the full list of exempt countries.
Other exemption routes include: a dental degree taught and assessed entirely in English, relevant practice experience in an English-speaking country, or a structured reference confirming at least 75% of professional interactions were conducted in English.