Powers came into force on 1 April 2016 to allow the General Dental Council (GDC) to check the English language competence of any new dentist or dental care professional (DCP) before they can practise in the UK.

A change to European Union law means that all applicants – including those from the European Economic Area (EEA) who were previously exempt from language testing – will need to supply evidence of their ability to communicate effectively in spoken and written English before being allowed on the register.

The change brings EEA candidates into line with applicants from other non-EEA countries who already have to demonstrate their proficiency in English.

Dental professionals qualifying in a country where English is the first and native language will not routinely need to provide additional evidence about their knowledge of English.

The measures introduced follow earlier plans by the Department of Health for English language testing across several healthcare professions including dentistry, nursing and midwifery and pharmacy.

Dentists and DCPs who reapply to the register will also have to meet the same requirements to demonstrate their English language proficiency.

1 April also marks a change to the levels of English required by overseas qualified dental nurses and dental technicians applying to the register. The pass level in the International English Language Testing (IELTS) exam will rise from Level 6 to Level 7, which is the same level for all other members of the dental team.