Did you qualify outside of the UK? 

You’re not alone. Currently 31% of registered dentists were qualified outside the UK.  The BDA understands the unique challenges that you face: 

• Preparing for the ORE or LDS examinations 

• Navigating the GDC registration process 

• Building confidence in understanding the UK clinical, legal and cultural expectations. 

• Establishing a clear career pathway in an unfamiliar system. 

The BDA’s Essential Affiliate membership is designed to provide a dedicated support package including advice, accessible learning and a sense of belonging.  

“The BDA acknowledges the value that our overseas-qualified colleagues bring to the profession, and we recognise the experience and contributions that you bring. It takes much ambition and courage to move to this country from your own. 

The route to working in the UK is complex and varied and not without its difficulties. For example, availability of the exam and the way in which places for the exam are allocated is an issue for the vast majority of applicants, and we continue to argue for improvements in the GDC’s processes around this.” 

What does membership include? 

BDA’s Essential Affiliate membership includes: 

• Clear practical advice on GDC registration requirements. 

• Educational resources for the ORE/LDS examination requirements. 

• Guidance on NHS frameworks, employment options and patient expectations. 

• Support with professional standards including indemnity and CPD. 

• Access to our CPD hub with over 270 hours of online learning. 

Events for Dentists starting out  

The BDA has also launched a free lecture series entitled ‘Starting out in the UK’.  This lecture series is aimed specifically at dentists who qualified overseas and are now practising or preparing to practise in the UK.  

These will run monthly until April 2026 and will be held in the evening. They are free to Affiliate members and offer verifiable CPD, alongside networking with peers, BDA advisors and expert speakers. 

How much does Affiliate Membership for Overseas-Qualified Dentists cost?  

Membership is available through a gradual pricing model starting from £2.98 per month in your first year. The BDA has designed the membership to be affordable so while you embark on these complex processes you have access to information that will support you.  

The BDA Extra Essential Affiliate membership is also available which offers one-to-one support. The BDA will provide realistic advice on the systems which vary in all four countries and the opportunities and potential barriers you will have to navigate as part of the process whether in primary or secondary care.  

Once registered, the BDA will support you with the next steps: understanding your contracts, working in the NHS and private practice, the regulations that you need to understand, and much more. 

The BDA exists to ensure that every member feels supported, no matter where they started their journey. So whether you are preparing for exams, considering your first job or are simply just exploring what dentistry looks like in the UK, you have support.  

Find out more about the membership and events available specifically for overseas-qualified dentists on the BDA website

Recruitment support for GDC registered dentists 

We’re here to help GDC registered dentists find their perfect role. Register with us and ensure your profile is up to date, and we’ll match you to suitable jobs and dental practices. You can also update your details by chatting to one of our recruitment specialists by phone, text or email. You can get in touch here

The post New BDA Membership and Events for Overseas-Qualified Dentists appeared first on HS Dental Recruitment.

A Strong Start to the Dental Jobs Market 

January consistently brings an increase in activity across dental jobs. Practices review staffing needs, plan for growth, and prepare for the year ahead. This often results in: 

• Newly released roles 

• Replacement vacancies following year-end resignations 

• Expansion of associate and hygiene services 

By registering with a recruitment agency early, you can position yourself ahead of the competition before roles are widely circulated.
 

Access to Hidden Dental Associate Jobs 

Many of the best dental associate jobs are never advertised publicly. Practices often rely on trusted recruitment partners to discreetly source candidates who match their clinical, cultural, and commercial needs. 

A specialist dental recruitment agency can: 

• Match you to roles aligned with your experience and UDA expectations 

• Contact practices in your desired area on your behalf  

• Negotiate terms on your behalf confidentially 

This is particularly valuable if you are currently employed and exploring options quietly, or are looking for just one or two days patient time at another practice. 

Up-to-Date Dental Hygienist Jobs Vacancies 

Demand for hygienists and therapists continues to grow, and dental hygienist jobs vacancies can change quickly. Registering with an agency ensures you are notified as soon as suitable roles become available, including: 

• Part-time and flexible working opportunities 

• Mixed NHS/private and fully private practices 

• Short-term cover and permanent placements 

Recruitment agencies specialising in dentistry understand scope of practice, diary structure, and equipment requirements, ensuring a better fit from the outset. 

We’re designed for busy dental professionals 

A specialist dental recruitment agency works around your schedule. Registration is typically quick, confidential, and tailored to your preferences. Once registered, opportunities come to you, saving time while keeping you informed. 

Frequently Asked Questions  

Is it worth registering with a dental recruitment agency if I’m not actively looking?
Yes. Many dental professionals register simply to understand their options, stay informed about the market, and be considered for high-quality roles if the right opportunity arises. 

Do recruitment agencies charge candidates?
No. Reputable specialist dental recruitment agencies are paid by practices, not candidates. We charge the dental practice a fee, if and when a candidate starts work with them. 

What types of dental jobs can an agency help with?
Agencies typically recruit for dental associate jobs, dental hygienist jobs vacancies, practice managers, specialists, and support roles. 

Make the New Year Work for Your Career 

Whether you’re a dental associate reassessing your workload, a hygienist seeking flexibility, or a clinician curious about what else is out there, the new year is an ideal time to take control of your career. 

Registering with a specialist dental recruitment agency doesn’t commit you to change, it simply opens the door to better information, better opportunities, and better decisions in the year ahead. 

Register your details today, or contact our expert recruitment team to chat through your situation.   

The post Why the New Year Is the Perfect Time to Register With a Specialist Dental Recruitment Agency  appeared first on HS Dental Recruitment.

What does this mean for dental practices in the UK?

• No new international hiring of dental nurses, hygienists, or technicians post-22 July via the Skilled Worker route. 

• Only existing visa holders can extend or switch roles, provided they maintain continuous skilled-worker status. 

• Dental therapists may still be eligible—official guidance is pending confirmation. 

• Dentists are not affected.  

Why is this happening?

The UK is raising the Skills level to RQF 6 (graduate level)—this excludes many dental support roles. With over 100+ occupations removed from visa eligibility, including hygiene, nursing, and tech roles, international recruitment faces immediate disruption.

Three things to do NOW:

• Review sponsorships to ensure no new visa applications are pending for barred roles.  

• Audit current visa holders to track eligibility of staff and assign Certificates of Sponsorship before 21 July 2025 to preserve eligibility for existing staff. 

• Make plans to strengthen UK recruitment by collaborating with colleges and apprenticeship providers. 

What could dental practices do going forward?

Prioritise UK-trained talent 

With overseas recruitment of dental hygienists, nurses and technicians halted, ramp up your internal talent using dental nurse apprenticeships, hygienist and technician diploma programs or trainee programmes supported by NHS or education institutions.

Retain and support existing international staff 

Supporting visa extensions or those switching roles is now essential. Proactively ensure these team members are aware of their rights and obligations under Skilled Worker status.

Lobby for policy updates 

Engage with professional associations such as the GDC, Dental Schools Council to advocate for inclusion of dental professions on the Immigration Salary List (ISL) or Temporary Shortage List (TSL) or Government-backed incentives to sponsor international dental professionals.

Get help from dental recruitment experts 

This news may change your recruitment plans so if you are recruiting and need advice or to see what your options are, speak to a specialist dental recruiter.

Key Dates to Remember 

• 22 July 2025: No new Skilled Worker visas for dental nurses, hygienists, or technicians accepted. 

• 21 July 2025: Last chance to assign new Certificates of Sponsorship to preserve transitions. 

• Post-22 July: Only visa renewals/switches permitted for existing skilled-worker holders. 

This shift marks a major turning point in dental recruitment – you can read the full changes at gov.uk 

Get in touch with us

Please get in touch if your requirements have changed – if we have a role advertised for you that is currently offering sponsorship, we will remove this offering and continue to advertise the role for candidates with the right to work in the UK. This news may change your recruitment plans so if you are recruiting and would like advice or to see what your options are, please contact our specialist recruiters today!   

The post Dental Recruitment Alert: Skilled-Worker Visas Removed appeared first on HS Dental Recruitment.

Why Practices Choose to Remain Anonymous

Practices come to us for support in a variety of situations. Sometimes, a team member is leaving, but the practice isn’t ready to make that public until a replacement is secured. In other cases, they may be discreetly seeking a replacement for an existing team member and prefer to keep those intentions confidential.

There are also times when the leadership team is concerned that openly advertising a role might unsettle other associates or staff. These are all valid and sensitive reasons for keeping a recruitment process behind the scenes — at least in the early stages.

Candidate Anonymity is Equally Important

Just as we protect our client’s privacy, we also take great care to protect the confidentiality of our candidates. When we share your profile with a potential employer, we remove any identifying details — including current or past practice names — especially if you’re still employed and your current practice is unaware that you’re exploring new opportunities.

This level of discretion is essential to avoid jeopardising your current role or any future prospects, as everyone’s circumstances are different and often require sensitivity.

When Both Parties Show Interest

If a practice expresses genuine interest in a candidate, we’ll always reach out to you first. At that point, we’ll provide you with full details about the practice so you can research and decide whether you’d like to proceed. Only with your consent would we then arrange an initial conversation or interview.

Our Approach, Your Protection

Our goal is to create a safe and respectful recruitment environment — one that balances transparency with the need for discretion. By maintaining this careful process, we aim to support both candidates and practices through potentially sensitive transitions in the most professional and considerate way possible.

We hope this sheds some light on why we work the way we do — and that it gives you confidence in how we manage every step of the journey.

The post Why Don’t Recruiters Give the Practice Name in the Job Advert? appeared first on HS Dental Recruitment.

Here’s what you really get for your money when using a dental recruitment agency…

We write job descriptions 

We’ve seen and written a lot of job descriptions and we understand you are very busy – so we write a job description for you. We’ll ask for some key details on the role and your practice, and we’ll do the rest.

We match your role to candidates 

Once we’ve perfected the job description, we take the position initially to our extensive database of candidates. We’ll email, call and text suitable candidates to see if they’re interested in your role. Sometimes this can be upwards of 200 candidates per role and can take several days.

We advertise your role

We also use the job description we’ve created to write a job advert. We’ll share this on our website here for candidates to apply and post it across several other job boards. We absorb the associated costs of advertising even if the right person is not found.

We keep it confidential

You may not want your job advert to be identifiable, and that’s fine. You may have a sensitive situation in practice or you may not want staff to know you are looking to expand until the right person is found. We do not mention practice names in any adverts, or conversations until you invite a candidate to interview, keeping the role confidential to protect all parties.

We sift through the applicants

We rematch and repost jobs constantly to try and find the best candidates for you. We’ll deal with all applicants, pre-screening and assessing suitability so that we don’t waste your valuable time with unsuitable applicants.

We put you in touch with the best

When we find candidates who are suitable and interested in your role, we send over their details to you. We’ll help the candidates compile a CV for you to look at and find out their availability for interviews or initial chats. We’ll liaise with you to arrange calls and practice visits, managing both your calendar and the candidates.

We keep the candidate up to speed

Following any interviews or chats, we gather feedback from both you and the candidate. We’ll inform both unsuccessful and successful candidates and facilitate the placement for you.

Some key questions to consider…

• Do you have the time and knowledge to write and post your advert on job boards?
• Do you have another spare hour or two a day for the next two weeks to deal with applicants emailing and calling the practice?
• Do you have access to thousands of people who are looking for work?

Dental practices who choose to recruit staff for themselves spend on average up to 10 hours a week to try and find a member of staff. Time that could be better spent in practice.

Looking to fill a vacancy at your dental practice?

Let us invest our time, not yours. Let us spend hours, days, weeks exploring all avenues to try and find the best candidate for you. If we are not successful you won’t pay any recruitment fees. If we are successful, a small and reasonable fee is payable for the placement.

You have nothing to lose, call us today!

Call 01332 609328 or you can register your vacancy here and we’ll match candidates to the role.

The post Recruitment fees – what do you really get for your money?  appeared first on HS Dental Recruitment.

BDIA Dental Showcase 2025 will take place on 14 & 15 March 2025 at London Excel, featuring 300+ dental suppliers and 130+ speakers with 67+ hours of CPD.

We’ll join the Henry Schein Dental team on the Henry Schein lounge (Stand F38) meeting practice owners who want to find out more about how we can help grow your business and dental professionals looking to advance their career or secure locum work. You can book a meeting in advance or just come over to the stand on the day.

A great opportunity to ask us about…

• How we can help with your recruitment challenges
• The benefits of using a dental recruitment agency
• Why every dental professional should update their candidate profile with us

Can’t make the show?

If you can’t attend BDIA Dental Showcase, you can speak to a Henry Schein Dental Recruitment expert by phone or email or register your vacancy here. If you’re looking for work, you can register as a candidate here to receive job alerts tailored to you.

The post We’ll be at BDIA Dental Showcase appeared first on HS Dental Recruitment.

Embarking on a journey to find your ideal dental job can feel like navigating a complex maze. At Henry Schein Dental Recruitment, formally MediCruit, we understand the challenges that dental professionals face in identifying the perfect career opportunity amidst a sea of options. That’s why we’re here to revolutionise your job search experience and guide you towards success.

Tailored Matchmaking: Your Success is Our Priority

Our mission is to match talented dental professionals with practices that align seamlessly with their skills, preferences, and career goals. We take pride in our personalised approach, taking the time to understand your unique specifications, whether it’s your clinical expertise, preferred practice setting, or geographic location.

Armed with this valuable insight, our dedicated team diligently scours our extensive network of dental practices to identify opportunities that are tailor-made for you. Our commitment to precision matchmaking saves you precious time and energy, ensuring that every job prospect we present meets your exacting standards.

Access to Exclusive Opportunities: Unlocking Hidden Gems

As a leading dental recruitment agency, we offer access to an exclusive pool of job opportunities that may not be available elsewhere. Many prestigious dental practices entrust us with filling their vacancies, granting our candidates access to coveted positions that are not advertised publicly.

By partnering with Henry Schein Dental Recruitment, you gain entry to this hidden market of premium job openings, giving you a competitive edge in securing your dream position. Our unparalleled access to exclusive opportunities opens doors to career advancements that may have otherwise remained out of reach.

Expert Guidance and Support: Your Trusted Advisor

Navigating the job market can be daunting, but with us by your side, you’re never alone. Our team of recruitment experts provides comprehensive support and guidance at every stage of your job search journey. From optimising your resume to preparing for interviews and negotiating employment terms, we offer the tools and insights you need to shine as a top candidate.

Beyond the job search process, Henry Schein Dental Recruitment serves as your trusted advisor in all matters related to your dental career. We provide valuable industry insights, compensation benchmarks, and opportunities for professional development, empowering you to make informed decisions and achieve your long-term career goals.

In conclusion, partnering with us is not just a job search strategy – it’s a pathway to unlocking your full potential in the dental industry. With our personalised matchmaking service, access to exclusive opportunities, expert guidance, and streamlined process, we’re dedicated to empowering you to achieve your career aspirations. Let Henry Schein Dental Recruitment be your partner in success as you embark on your journey towards a fulfilling and rewarding dental career.

Find your next job today!

The post Empowering Your Dental Career: Why You Should Partner with Henry Schein Dental Recruitment appeared first on HS Dental Recruitment.