UK-based dentists

Affiliate membership is tailored to overseas-qualified dentists in the UK who are actively working towards being able to practise here.

This can be a challenging time, and we’re here to provide expert online guidance and professional resources to help you progress towards completion of your GDC registration.

You can choose Essential Affiliate to access online advice and dentistry’s number1 journal, the BDJ in print, or Extra Affiliate which means you can take 1-2-1 advice over the phone or via email.

Tailored advice on demonstrating eligibility to the GDC

We offer detailed advice that will help support your understanding of the application and assessment process and a detailed overview on how UK dentistry works. We’ll provide:

• Step-by-step guidance on GDC registration, including preparation for the ORE/LDS exams
• Advice on NHS frameworks, private practice opportunities, and choosing the right career path
• Practical insights into UK standards, employment law, and patient care expectations
• Guidance on professional responsibilities such as CPD and indemnity.

Learning and development

Joining as a member gets you access to 270 hours of CPD to show your commitment to professionalism.

NEW! Earn 26 hours of GDC-recommended CPD at a time and place that suits you. Each course can be taken in your own time: your progress will be saved, so you can dip in and out of the courses as needed.

Enjoy access to the BDJ portfolio with 70 hours of CPD each year, plus Europe’s largest dental library.

Earn, track and manage your learning in our CPD hub.

If you prefer learning in person, get discounts on training days, lecture-based seminars, practical hands-on workshops, multi-speaker conferences, and live evening webinars through our courses and events offer.

Keep up to date

Join your peers and colleagues enjoying the BDJ twice a month and stay up to date with what's happening in dentistry around the UK with BDJ In Practice and regular newsletters.

Looking after the people who matter

If you, your spouse, or a dependent need emotional support, Health Assured provides a confidential helpline 24/7, 365 days a year. We’re here to ensure you’re never alone during this challenging journey.

Eligibility

Affiliate Essential membership is open to overseas dentists residing in the UK and actively working towards GDC registration.

As part of your application, we will ask you to provide the following:

• A copy of your original dental qualification, and
• A letter of good standing from your home dental association (if available)
• Details of your current progress in the GDC registration process, such as ORE/LDS preparation.

For £33 per year

The minimum membership period is 12 months

Learn more about our fees.

Join as an Affiliate member

This gradual fee structure allows you to access critical resources while focusing on achieving your GDC registration and building your career in UK dentistry.

Once you have registered with the GDC, you qualify for any of our three general categories of membership.

Join as an Affiliate member

Get the resources and peace of mind to face dentistry’s challenges.

You do dentistry. We do advice

Whenever you need help, read our advice from experts on everything from contracts to tax.

Our advisors write authoritative guidance exclusively for members and dentistry: we know your world.

Associate contract review

Get your associate contract reviewed to make sure it's appropriate and legally sound.

Learn and develop

Whether you prefer online or in-person, live or on-demand, clinical updates or business skills, we have [education to inspire] you.

NEW! Earn GDC-recommended CPD at a time and place that suits you.

Keep up to date

Get the British Dental Journal twice a month and stay up to date with what's happening in dentistry around the UK.

Protect your mental health

Access the confidential helpline 24/7, 365 days a year. You’re not alone.

The support of your trade union

If you’re employed on national terms and conditions, it pays to have trade union support. We represent dentistry to governments and the regulator. Together, we're stronger.

For £43.33 per month

You can choose to pay annually, quarterly or monthly. The minimum membership period is 12 months, and thereafter it’s a rolling contract with one month’s cancellation notice.

To protect the interests of members we do not give advice to dentists with issues that they became aware of before joining. So, join now and upgrade for 1-2-1 advice when you need it.

Dentists working towards GDC registration can purchase this package with Affiliate Essential membership – the only difference is there are no voting rights in committee elections.

Essential membership for salaried dentists

If you're employed on national terms and conditions, it pays to have trade union support.

Expert advice and support when you need it most

Extra members receive personalised one-to-one support from our expert advisors, making sure that when you need us, we’re here for you.

You do dentistry. We do trustworthy advice

Call or email our expert advisors for [personalised one-to-one advice] to help you avoid legal and financial trouble.

Everything else is the same – to be carried over from Essential.

For £84.18 per month

[small print] You can choose to pay annually, quarterly or monthly. The minimum membership period is 12 months, and thereafter it’s a rolling contract with one month’s cancellation notice.

Dentists working towards GDC registration can purchase this package with [Extra Affiliate membership] – the only difference is there are no voting rights in committee elections.

[Learn more about our fees]

[2 column format? 1) Access [BDA Indemnity] cover as an associate with Extra membership. 2) Membership grid – image]

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Access to everything the BDA has…

Expert membership

For practice owners looking to save time and money, and run a safe and compliant practice. You do dentistry. We do trustworthy commercial advice

Whenever you need help call or email our expert advisors for [personalised one-to-one guidance] to help you avoid legal and financial trouble.

Templates, audits and checklists

Download over [150 templates] to use in your practice. Our expert advisors write and publish the ones you need, not ones you don't.

Everything else is the same – to be carried over from Essential.

For £127.25 per month

[Learn more about our fees]

[small print] You can choose to pay annually, quarterly or monthly. The minimum membership period is 12 months, and thereafter it’s a rolling contract with one month’s cancellation notice.

[2 column format? 1) Access [BDA Indemnity] cover as a practice owner with Expert membership. 2) Membership grid – image]

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Senior membership

Senior membership offers all the benefits of Essential membership at a reduced rate.

Continue to support your professional membership body and trade union as you hang up your drill.

Stay connected to your local and national network of peers and events.

This concession is available to:

Members who have been in membership continuously for at least five years by the time an application for the concession is received and who are over the age of 65 or who are no longer on the GDC register, following early retirement.

For £21 per month

Sign up by emailing membership@bda.org or call 020 7563 4550.

Student and graduate membership

Student or recent graduate? Browse our student and grad membership offer.