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Dentists

Brexit Update for Dentists – January 2024:

UK applicants are no longer eligible to be registered under the provisions of the EU’s Professional Qualifications Directive since the UK’s exit from the EU.

Dentists that obtained their qualification entirely in the UK before 31 December 2024 can still follow the below guidance for dentists qualified within the EU.

You are not required to submit a conformity letter, but you are required to submit full academic transcripts of your primary qualification in dentistry. Applicants that refuse to submit transcripts will be automatically refused registration.

Registration Information for Dentists

If you have been registered with the Dental Council before, please see details on restoration.
If you are a recent graduate and have qualified from Ireland, please see the page dedicated to new graduates.

Full registration

To apply for full registration, you must fall under one of the following categories;

  1. You are a graduate in dentistry from a university in Ireland or a graduate with a qualification recognised under the Dental Council’s
  2. You are a graduate with a scheduled dental degree/diploma from within the EU, and certification from your Competent Authority confirming compliance with the minimum conditions set out in the Professional Qualifications Directive.
  3. You are a graduate with a dental degree/diploma from within the EU, but you are not entitled to automatic recognition. Please contact the registration department as you may be entitled to assessment as set out in the Professional Qualifications Directive.
  4. You are a graduate who obtained your dental degree/diploma outside of the EU, but you have gained recognition of your qualification, in accordance with Article 2(2) of the directive, in a member state and in addition have practiced the profession in that member state for 3 years in the proceeding 5 years, in accordance with Article 3(3) of the directive. Please contact the registration department as you may be entitled to assessment as set out in the Professional Qualifications Directive*.

Those with a dental degree/diploma who do not fall into the above categories must pass the Dental Council Examination for Dentists in order to apply for full registration. Please see our exam page for further details.

*The Professional Qualifications Directive refers to Directive 2005/36/EC as amended by regulations 2013/55/EC.

Temporary registration

Is only available to persons not eligible for full registration. Applicants for temporary registration must:

  1. Hold a dental qualification obtained after completing an acceptable undergraduate dental course;
  2. Have gained a position, under the supervision of an approved consultant, in;
    a. a full-time clinical position in an approved institution;
    b. a position on a Dental Council approved clinical postgraduate programme; or
    c. a full-time research position in an Irish dental hospital.
  3. Complete the temporary registration process.

Application Details

Important Information for applicants;

The Dental Council recommends that you allow for the registration process to take three months. We aim to finalise applications as quickly as possible but delays can occur due to incomplete applications or if additional information is required. The Dental Council would advise that you do not book patients in before you are registered.

We will only deal with the applicant regarding applications for registration.

You must refer to the relevant checklist when compiling your application.

Full registration

1. Dentists qualified from Ireland or those entitled to benefit from our

To apply please submit by post to the address below;

a. Complete application form
b. Photocopy of your passport
c. Photocopy of your primary qualification
d. Proof of language proficiency
e. Letter/s of good standing or certificate/s of current professional status
f. Registration fee

Please read the checklist below when compiling your application.

2. Dentists qualified from an EU Member State

To apply please submit by post to the address below;

a. Complete application form
b. Photocopy of your passport
c. Photocopy of your primary qualification
d. Letter of conformity, outlining your compliance with qualifications directive 2005/36/EC
e. Proof of language proficiency
f. Letter/s of good standing or certificate/s of current professional status
g. Translations
h. Registration fee

Please read the checklist below when compiling your application.

Dentists – Checklist for Registration [pdf]
Register of Dentists Application Form [pdf]

3. Dentists applying for assessment

To apply, please submit by post to the address above all the information listed in the below checklist. Please contact the registration department to ensure you are eligible for assessment before compiling your application. Information that is bound may be taken apart for the purpose of assessment checks. Please do not have information bound unnecessarily. This precludes notarised translations which must be bound by the translator and must not be taken apart before submission.

Dentists – Checklist for Assessment [pdf]
Assessment Application Form [pdf]

Temporary registration

If you have been granted a position under the supervision of an approved consultant, in an approved setting please submit by post to the address below;

a. Complete application form
b. Photocopy of your passport
c. Photocopy of your qualification
d. Proof of language proficiency
e. Letter/s of good standing or certificate/s of current professional status
f. Translations
g. Registration fee

Please read the checklist below when compiling your application.

Dentists – Checklist for Temporary Registration [pdf]
Temporary Registration Application Form [pdf]

Renewing your temporary registration;

You must apply at least 2 months in advance if you require an extension to your temporary registration.
Please read the checklist below for full application details.

Dentists – Checklist for for an Extention of Temporary Registration [pdf]
Temporary Registration Application Form [pdf]