Guides How to apply

How to apply: where to start

Pick the country where you want to work. Each guide shows the steps in order, the documents you need, the fees and the official links.

Checked against the official websites on 9 October 2026 · 3 min read

New to this? Pick the country where you want to work and open its guide, read the flow chart from top to bottom, then follow the numbered steps in order and tick off the documents checklist as you go.

United Kingdom · GDC

The ORE

The Overseas Registration Exam, run by the General Dental Council. Two parts, both in London, then you apply to join the GDC register.

Step-by-step guide → United Kingdom · RCS England

The LDS

The Licence in Dental Surgery, run by the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Three parts, then you apply to join the GDC register.

Step-by-step guide → Ireland · Dental Council

Ireland

Some degrees register straight away. Most others first pass the two-part Dental Council Examination.

Step-by-step guide → Australia · ADC and Dental Board

Australia

Some degrees register straight away. Most others first pass the three-stage Australian Dental Council assessment.

Step-by-step guide →

In the UK, the ORE and the LDS are two different exams that lead to the same GDC register.

Which route is for me?

Start with where you qualified as a dentist. Then find the country where you want to work.

Which routes apply to you
  1. StartYou are a dentist and want to work in the UK, Ireland or Australia.
  2. QuestionWhere did you qualify?
    • In the UKUK: you register with the GDC directly. No ORE or LDS.Ireland: you can register directly if your qualification was gained entirely in the UK before 31 December 2028.Australia: certain UK degrees are on the Dental Board’s recognised list, so no ADC exams.
    • In Ireland or the EU/EEAUK: if your diploma is listed in Annex V of EU Directive 2005/36/EC, you apply to the GDC on the European route. No ORE.Ireland: you can register directly if your degree is automatically recognised. If not, ask the Council.Australia: certain Irish degrees are on the recognised list. Other EU degrees usually need the ADC assessment.
    • In Canada or New ZealandUK: check the GDC’s recognised overseas list. If your degree is not on it, the ORE or the LDS.Ireland: you can register directly under Ireland’s agreements (Canada: graduates after 5 December 2012; New Zealand: after 19 October 2022).Australia: dentists registered in New Zealand can use mutual recognition. Certain New Zealand degrees, and Canadian DDS/DMD degrees awarded after 31 March 2010, are on the recognised list.
    • Anywhere else (for example Pakistan, India or Egypt)UK: the ORE or the LDS, unless your degree is on the GDC’s recognised overseas list.Ireland: the Dental Council Examination.Australia: the ADC assessment, unless you are registered in New Zealand.
  3. NextOpen the guide for your country and route. Each one starts by checking you are on the right route.

This is a starting point, not a ruling. Each body decides your case. Lists of recognised degrees have dates and named universities, so always check the official list.

Want to see more countries? Try our free pathway finder.

Official sources

The routes above come from these pages. All were checked on 9 October 2026.