ORE candidates would ‘rather return to a war-torn country’ than face fee hikes

The General Dental Council’s (GDC) announcement that the fee for Part 2 of the Overseas Registration Exam (ORE) would increase by 65% has met with outrage from candidates.

On 6 May, the GDC confirmed that the Part 2 ORE fee is rising from £4,235 to £6,967 – an increase of £2,732. It said the hike was due to the cost of specialist clinical facilities, experienced examiners and capital investment in facilities and equipment.

However, ORE candidates and the wider profession have expressed concern about the affordability of this and the wider impact of limiting accessibility to the exam. Dentistry.co.uk has heard from many ORE candidates who say they can’t afford to continue with the registration processed.

Several affected dentists shared their thoughts below.

Ibrahim Dally, dentist

As a refugee dentist from Ukraine who has made the UK my home, I am striving for a future in dental practice. I, along with many fellow overseas dentists, have been fighting to pass the GDC’s ORE exam – a path made almost insurmountable by recent decisions.

With the newly-announced 65% increase in the ORE Part 2 fee, it has effectively doubled over three years. This price is not just a number – it is an insurmountable barrier for me and countless other refugees who, despite their skills, find themselves priced out of the chance to serve in the NHS, a system that is in desperate need of more dentists at this very moment.

In conversations with my peers, many have told me: ‘We would rather return to a war-torn country and risk our lives than continue on this path.’ I have friends selling cars and pieces of land in Pakistan, India and Egypt to pay for exam. It’s not only exam fees – there are special courses and equipment needed. All-in-all, it can be £15,000 plus.

This is not just a financial issue; it is a moral outrage. There was no transparency, no prior notice. Just an abrupt, life-altering decision. As the NHS faces a dire shortage of dentists, this decision will further deny patients the care they urgently need.

Jeff Sherer, practice group owner

I am really disappointed to read about the increase in ORE fees that many overseas dentists are now facing. The yearly increases have been far above inflation and this latest jump is absolutely massive. Many overseas qualified dentists are currently working in the UK as dental nurses or dental therapists, making this very unaffordable for them.

Quite honestly, the whole system needs to change. Even for those who are fortunate enough to pass their ORE, they then have to navigate the complexities of trying to obtain a NHS performer number along with mentorship or find a fully private dental practice role, none of which are easy to do.

Aneela Jamshaid, dental surgeon and ORE candidate

This sudden and substantial rise places an extremely heavy financial burden on international dental graduates, particularly candidates from developing countries who are already struggling with significant expenses related to exam preparation.

Many candidates spend years preparing for the ORE pathway with limited financial resources. Such a drastic increase risks making the examination inaccessible for deserving and competent dentists whose only aim is to contribute to the UK healthcare system ethically and professionally.

The ORE examination is already one of the most financially demanding licensing pathways. Increasing the fee by such a large margin without sufficient support mechanisms or phased implementation may discourage many qualified professionals and negatively impact fairness and equal access.

I respectfully request that the concerned authorities:

• Reconsider the magnitude of this increase
• Provide transparent justification for the revised fee structure
• Consider phased increments instead of a sudden rise
• Explore financial support or instalment options for candidates facing hardship.

Felipe Vieira, endodontist

I am a Brazilian dentist with a postgraduate qualifications in endodontics. I moved to the UK in 2023 after my wife was relocated to Glasgow by her company. Since then, I have been trying to complete the ORE process so I can return to practising dentistry here in the UK.

So far, the journey has been extremely difficult. After a long wait, I finally managed to secure a place for the latest ORE Part I exam in April, and I am still waiting for the results. Yesterday’s announcement about the fee increases was devastating to hear.

The ORE is already one of the most expensive registration pathways in Europe, and these new fees may make the process financially impossible for me and many others. For the past two years, I have been working as a dental nurse in order to support myself, understand the UK dental system, and stay connected to the profession while preparing for the exams (even having to complete dental nursing training to be able to work here).

What makes this especially difficult is that overseas dentists are already investing years of their lives trying to contribute to dentistry in the UK, while the country continues to face shortages of dental professionals. Many of us are highly trained and experienced, but the financial barriers are becoming overwhelming.

At this point, even if I pass Part 1, I honestly do not know whether I will be able to afford to complete the process. After dedicating so much time, effort, and money to building a future here, that uncertainty is incredibly discouraging.

Sara Fareed, dentist

What is particularly concerning is that the fee was already increased last year, and another major increase within such a short period feels extremely difficult for many candidates to manage. A large number of international dentists spend years preparing for this examination while also covering travel, accommodation, visa, and study expenses.

We fully understand the need for maintaining examination standards and administrative costs; however, such substantial and repeated increases may limit fair access to the examination for many qualified candidates.

I respectfully request that the authorities reconsider the current fee structure or provide greater transparency regarding the reasons behind these increases. A more balanced and affordable approach would help ensure equal opportunity for deserving candidates pursuing registration in the UK.

Palak Tihara, dentist

This is not just about cost. It is about fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity.

Thousands of highly qualified dentists are ready and willing to contribute to the NHS, especially at a time when access to dental care remains a national concern. Yet decisions like this create more barriers instead of meaningful solutions.

There was no adequate warning, no clear justification, and little acknowledgement of the financial and emotional burden placed on candidates who have already invested years of effort, time, and money into this process.

If we are serious about tackling workforce shortages and improving patient care, we need a system that supports skilled professionals – not one that drives them away.

This decision deserves attention, discussion, and accountability.

The GDC is yet to respond to request for comment.

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