{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/dentists-act-1984/section-15",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/dentists-act-1984/section-15.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/1984/24",
  "legislation_title": "Dentists Act 1984",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/dentists-act-1984",
  "path": "section/15",
  "kind": "section",
  "number": "15",
  "heading": "Qualification for registration in the dentists register.",
  "text": "(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act the following persons shall be entitled to be registered in the dentists register in accordance with this Act, namely—\n(a) any person who is a graduate or licentiate in dentistry of a dental authority; ...\n(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(ba) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(c) any person who—\n(i) holds an overseas diploma in dentistry, and\n(ii) has satisfied the Council that the person has the requisite knowledge and skill (see sections 16A (requisite knowledge and skill: holders of overseas diplomas) and 16B (requisite knowledge and skill: recognition of overseas diplomas)); and\n(d) any person who—\n(i) holds a specified state qualification in dentistry that is not a relevant European diploma, and\n(ii) has met the requirement specified in relation to that person under section 15ZA.\n(1A) Subsection (1)(c)(ii) does not apply to a person whose application under this section is made in reliance on a relevant European diploma.\n(1B) Subsection (1)(c)(ii) does not apply to a person who is entitled to be registered under subsection (1)(d).\n(2) In this Act “overseas diploma” means—\n(a) a relevant European diploma, or\n(b) any other diploma granted in a country overseas.\n(2ZA) In this Act “relevant European diploma” means—\n(a) an appropriate European diploma, within the meaning given by Schedule 2, that has not been designated by the Council for the purposes of this paragraph, or\n(b) a dental qualification that is not an appropriate European diploma but—\n(i) was granted in a relevant European State, and\n(ii) demonstrates, in the opinion of the Council, a comparable level of knowledge and skill to that demonstrated by a UK diploma in dentistry ....\n(2ZB) The Council—\n(a) may designate a diploma for the purposes of subsection (2ZA)(a) only with the approval of the Privy Council;\n(b) must maintain and publish a list of the diplomas that are so designated.\n(2A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(2B) The Council may determine that a specified state qualification in dentistry does not meet the standard in subsection (2ZA)(b)(ii) only where one or more of Conditions 1 to 3 are met.\n(2C) Condition 1 is met where there exists a substantial difference between the level of knowledge and skill demonstrated by the specified state qualification and the level of knowledge and skill demonstrated by a UK diploma in dentistry.\n(2D) Condition 2 is met where the professional activities to which a UK diploma in dentistry relates include one or more professional activities that cover substantially different matters from those covered by the specified state qualification.\n(2E) Condition 3 is met where requiring an applicant to take an aptitude test or to complete an adaptation period, or to do both, would amount to requiring the applicant to acquire a UK diploma in dentistry.\n(3) A person shall not be entitled to be registered in the dentists register ... unless he satisfies the registrar as to the following matters, namely—\n(a) his identity;\n(b) that he is of good character; and\n(ba) that he has the necessary knowledge of English;\n(c) that he is in good health, both physically and mentally.\n(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(4ZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(4A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(4B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(4BA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(4BB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(4BC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(4BD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(4C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(8) In this section—\n“adaptation period” means—\n(a)in relation to registration under subsection (1)(d) in reliance on a specified state qualification in dentistry awarded in Switzerland, a period of supervised practice, subject to an assessment and, where necessary, accompanied by further training or education or both, under the responsibility of a dentist who is registered in the register by virtue of this section;\n(b)in relation to registration under subsection (1)(d) in reliance on a specified state qualification in dentistry awarded otherwise than in Switzerland, a period of supervised practice, subject to an assessment and, where necessary, accompanied by further training, under the responsibility of a dentist who is registered in the register by virtue of this section;\n“aptitude test” means an assessment with the aim of determining whether a person has the requisite knowledge and skill;\n“UK diploma in dentistry” has the meaning given by section 12A(2).",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Word in s. 15(1) omitted (1.12.2023) by virtue of The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 19(a)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "S. 15(1)(b) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 5(a)(ii) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 3 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 11(4)-(10)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F3",
      "text": "S. 15(1)(ba) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 5(a)(ii) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 3 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 11(4)-(10)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F4",
      "text": "S. 15(1)(c) substituted (8.3.2023) by The Dentists, Dental Care Professionals, Nurses, Nursing Associates and Midwives (International Registrations) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/162), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(a)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F5",
      "text": "Words in s. 15(1)(c) substituted (1.12.2023) by The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 19(b)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F6",
      "text": "S. 15(1)(d) inserted (1.12.2023) by The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 19(c)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F7",
      "text": "S. 15(1A) inserted (8.3.2023) by The Dentists, Dental Care Professionals, Nurses, Nursing Associates and Midwives (International Registrations) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/162), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(b)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F8",
      "text": "S. 15(1B) inserted (1.12.2023) by The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 19(d)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F9",
      "text": "S. 15(2)-(2ZB) substituted for s. 15(2) (31.12.2020) by The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 5(b) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 3 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 11(4)-(10)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F10",
      "text": "S. 15(2) substituted (8.3.2023) by The Dentists, Dental Care Professionals, Nurses, Nursing Associates and Midwives (International Registrations) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/162), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(c)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F11",
      "text": "Words in s. 15(2ZA)(b)(ii) omitted (1.12.2023) by virtue of The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 19(e)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F12",
      "text": "S. 15(2A) omitted (3.12.2007) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3101), regs. 1(2), 112(c)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F13",
      "text": "S. 15(2B)-(2E) inserted (1.12.2023) by The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 19(f)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F14",
      "text": "Words in s. 15(3) omitted (8.3.2023) by virtue of The Dentists, Dental Care Professionals, Nurses, Nursing Associates and Midwives (International Registrations) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/162), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(d)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F15",
      "text": "S. 15(3)(ba) inserted (1.4.2016) by The Health Care and Associated Professions (Knowledge of English) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/806), arts. 1(3), 12(2); S.I. 2015/1451, art. 5"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F16",
      "text": "S. 15(4) omitted (8.3.2023) by virtue of The Dentists, Dental Care Professionals, Nurses, Nursing Associates and Midwives (International Registrations) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/162), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(e)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F17",
      "text": "S. 15(4ZA) omitted (8.3.2023) by virtue of The Dentists, Dental Care Professionals, Nurses, Nursing Associates and Midwives (International Registrations) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/162), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(e)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F18",
      "text": "S. 15(4A)-(4C) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/593), reg. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 5(e) (with reg. 12A, Sch. 3 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1394, regs. 4, 11(4)-(10)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F19",
      "text": "S. 15(5) omitted (1.4.2016) by virtue of The Health Care and Associated Professions (Knowledge of English) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/806), arts. 1(3), 12(4); S.I. 2015/1451, art. 5"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F20",
      "text": "S. 15(6) omitted (8.3.2023) by virtue of The Dentists, Dental Care Professionals, Nurses, Nursing Associates and Midwives (International Registrations) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/162), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(e)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F21",
      "text": "S. 15(7) omitted (3.12.2007) by virtue of The European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3101), regs. 1(2), 112(h)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F22",
      "text": "S. 15(8) inserted (1.12.2023) by The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1286), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 19(g)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F23",
      "text": "Words in s. 15(8) substituted (1.1.2025) by The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) (Extension to Switzerland etc.) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/1379), regs. 1(4), 16(2)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/24/section/15",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T10:03:03.871540+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}