Dentists
Avalon Medical work with a wide range of clients; Independents, Dental Body Corporates and smaller groups. We recruit for Mixed, Private and Specialist roles. We are always happy to assist Dentists in finding their next position. Please contact Avalon Medical to discuss your requirements and how we may help you.
Practice Managers
Practice Managers play a key role in any dental practice; they ensure the smooth running of a practice. Please contact Avalon Medical to discuss your requirements and how we may help you.
DCPs
All DCPs need to be registered with the General Dental Council. You will also need to make sure you have the appropriate indemnity. Dental Nurses are often employed and Hygienists can either be employed or work in a self employed basis. Please contact Avalon Medical to discuss your requirements and how we may help you.
For current Dentist, PM and DCP vacancies please visit the Job Vacancies section.
Overseas dentists
Avalon Medical also arranges and hosts recruitment conferences throughout Europe. At the conferences candidates can learn all about working in the UK, have an interview, sit an English language assessment and receive information and assistance with all of the necessary registration procedures. Candidates will need to pay their own Professional Registration Fee (GDC), Indemnity Insurance and any personal travel arrangements. This information answers most faqs by Overseas dentists...
Working in the UK as a Dentist:
As a dentist working in the UK, you can either work in an NHS (National Health Service) practice, a mixed practice (NHS and Private) or purely private practice. General dentists are sometimes referred to as GDPs (General Dental Practitioners). The majority of GDPs work in mixed practices, offering NHS treatment with optional private treatments; they would have a contract stating the number and value of UDAs and receive 45 to 50% of their gross billings for Private treatment.
Remuneration:
There are two ways in which a dentist working in the UK is remunerated, either as a % of their gross fees/billings, i.e. 45% or 50% of their gross fees/billings. This can be called 'fee per item'. It is usual for dentists carrying out private treatments to be remunerated this way.
For NHS treatments dentists receive monthly payments based on the amount of UDAs consumed. A candidate's income is dependent upon their experience and with which client they work the type of work they wish to carry out and how many patients they see. A contract including earnings would be agreed before the dentist starts work. It is usual for a dentist in the UK to sign a contract with the practice or company with whom they are going to work.
Specialists:
As a Specialist, i.e., an Orthodontist, the contracts and working conditions are similar to those of a general dentist, for example, you could work in either a NHS, mixed or private environment although you would only be carrying out procedures relevant to your Specialism. However, to use the title Specialist and have patients referred to you for Specialist treatment; you must be registered on the GDC Specialist lists.
UK Employment status:
It is usual for dentists to work with self employed status. As a self employed person you would be responsible for your own tax and national insurance payments. Anyone living and working in the UK is subject to the UK's taxation system and it is always advisable to hire an accountant to assist and advise you on the UK's taxation system.
Since 1st April 2006 all contract values are linked to UDAs (Units of Dental Activity) in England and Wales. So the dentist will be expected to achieve an amount of UDAs specified in their contract. There is not a single set contract value across the England and Wales. Dentists should expect to discuss this when speaking about specific roles. Dentists in Scotland are still paid as fee per item, so they will receive a percentage of their gross. Each dental procedure has been classified into a band which determines the amount of UDAs. Currently the main bands are:
Band 1 (1 UDA): Diagnosis, treatment planning and maintenance. Clinical examination, radiographs, scale and polish, preventative work e.g.: oral health assessment, study models, denture eases.
Band 2 (3 UDAs): Treatment, e.g.: fillings including root canal therapy, extractions, surgical procedures and dental additions, periodontal treatment.
Band 3 (12 UDAs): Provision of appliances. Complex treatment that includes a laboratory element e.g.: bridgework, crowns and dentures, excludes mouth guards.
NHS Dentists provide all clinically necessary treatments and dentures to patients to maintain oral health, as a rule any treatment that is 'cosmetic' is not covered by the NHS and therefore the patient would pay for it as a private treatment. If a patient is in agreement then the dentist can offer treatments that are not available under the NHS, for example, tooth whitening. The costs of private treatment vary as they are not currently fixed by the government.
Professional Registration processes...
Dentists
To work as a dentist in the UK you will need to register with the British General Dental Council (GDC) here in the UK. The GDC is the UK's dental administrative/regulatory body; it is illegal to work in the UK without registering with the GDC. Their functions are to safeguard and promote best practice in dentistry in the UK. To work in general, community practice you will need to obtain full registration from the GDC. If you are unsure about your eligibility for GDC registration, information can be found on the GDC website or by contacting them directly (details below).
Specialists
The Specialist Lists indicate registered dentists who meet certain conditions and are entitled to use a specialist title, for example, a Specialist Orthodontist or Periodontologist. A dentist does not have to be entered onto a Specialist List to carry out a particular specialty; but may only use the title 'specialist' if they are on the list. To register as a Specialist a dentist must first register as a General Dentist. Further information on how to register as a Specialist can be found on the GDC website.
Insurance
You will also need to have UK medical indemnity insurance before you can register with a Primary Care Trust and practise.
Primary Care Trust (PCT)/Local Health Board (LHB)
If you are going to have a contract to provide any NHS treatment at all, you will have to be registered with the local NHS department where you will be working. To register with a PCT/LHB you need to have evidence of achieving a recognised language test. You also need to undergo a CRB check (Criminal Records Bureau) check. You will also need to provide evidence of your qualification, vaccination records and British Indemnity Insurance. Each PCT/LHB has its own application so this process should be started once you have got a contract within a PCT/LHB area.
Language requirements
You will need to show you have an appropriate level of English language. There are several English language qualifications recognised by Primary Care Trusts. Please visit www.dh.gov.uk for the latest up-to-date requirements.
Candidate Registration with Avalon - the first step...
Soon after you have registered, an Avalon consultant will contact you. Avalon Medical is a professional career consultancy specialising in medical-related professions. Our clients simply trust us to find the very best candidates, and in return we aim to play a continued role in supporting people throughout their specialist careers.
Further Useful Information...
www.gdc-uk.org
General Dental Council