Volunteering and working abroad

Volunteering abroad

Many UK dentists volunteer to participate in dental projects in developing countries organised by charitable organisations. ​The range of organisations and projects is wide, both in geographical distribution and in length of time spent working in another country. The cultural setting is likely to be very different and some clinical preparation can also be useful as the equipment, health and safety precautions and the presenting dental conditions are likely to be different from those in the UK.

Organisations running voluntary projects should provide you with appropriate information on the country you are volunteering to work in and its regulatory framework and help you with accommodation, travel, and general queries. We advise dentists to examine the organisation’s policies closely to ensure they will be appropriately supported and have sufficient advice and services.

Working abroad

Many dentists think about the possibility of working in another country at some point during their career. It is important to consider eligibility to register qualifications and what immigration rules will need to be complied with. If a work permit is required, short-term travel visas are usually more easily available for individuals under the age of 35 (national rules will vary).

Stay in touch with the profession in the UK during any absence and get all the relevant information. It may be difficult to walk back into dentistry after a lengthy stay abroad as the profession is constantly changing. We recommend all dentists should stay on the GDC register to make returning to dentistry easier.