BRITAIN LEAV ING THE EUROPEAN UNION: POSSIBLE IMPACTS ON THE UK DENTAL WORKFORCE

Abstract

Aims: To outline the possible impact that Britain leaving the European Union (EU) (Brexit) may have on the dental workforce in the UK and how access to dental services could be affected.

Methods: Registration data were obtained from the General Dental Council (GDC), to identify the number of registrants from European Union (EU) member states other than the UK for dentists and dental care professionals (dental therapists, orthodontics therapists, dental hygienists, dental technicians, clinical dental technicians and dental nurses). All data were correct as of 31st December 2016.

Results: Out of 41,482 dentists on the GDC register, 6757 (16.3%) were from EU member states. Of the 6757, the largest numbers came from: Poland (792, 11.7%), Sweden (738, 10.9%), Greece (679, 10%), Spain (674, 9.9%) Romania (665, 9.8%) and Ireland (625, 9.2%). The number of dental care professionals (DCPs) on the GDC register from EU member states was 414(0.6%), out of a total number of 67,875.

Conclusions: It is unclear whether current EU registrants will be able to maintain GDC registration and if freedom of movement of the dental workforce will be permitted, but it would seem probable. The transferability and recognition of European qualifications for dentists and DCPs, routes of access to the specialty register and requirements for language testing will need to be addressed. Post-Brexit, dentists arriving from EU Member States, who wish to work in the UK, may well have to pass the Overseas Registration Examination (ORE) to gain GDC registration, and subsequently may need to complete the same post-qualification training as UK dentists, if they wish to work in the NHS. If dentists from other EU states currently working in the UK decide to leave, patient access to dental services may be affected, especially in rural areas where posts may remain unfilled. This may further reinforce inequalities in oral health, with an increase in waiting times to see a NHS dentist, profoundly affecting the NHS and private dental markets. Dental school intake numbers may need to be revised. It is unknown how many dentists from EU member states are working within academia in the UK but the potential restriction to the freedom of movement of academic and scientific staff and potential restriction of access to European clinical trial databases should be considered. However, Brexit may provide the opportunity for a more flexible approach to the development of the curricula for educating dentists and other members of the dental team. The relevant UK policy makers may need to consider these and other aspects when workforce planning once final Brexit regulations are confirmed.