Mr. Gareth ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to assist refugees with dental qualifications to practise in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [79003]
§ Mr. HuttonWe are committed to enabling refugee dentists to access the training opportunities they need to succeed in the National Health Service. Over the last two years £1 million has been made available to various projects designed to help refugee health professionals, including dentists, prepare for work in the NHS, by providing English language and clinical skills training, along with guidance on gaining employment in the NHS.
Mr. Gareth ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1), how many people are waiting to sit each part of the international qualifying exams to practise dentistry in the UK; and if he will make a statement; [79002]
(2) what measures he is taking to assist those with overseas dental qualifications who are not refugees qualify to practise dentistry in the United Kingdom. [79001]
§ Mr. HuttonThe General Dental Council (GDC) regulates dentistry in the United Kingdom and all practitioners must be registered with the Council.
Dental qualifications obtained in the European Economic Area (EEA) that reach minimum training standards are mutually recognised throughout the EEA.
The GDC recognises certain overseas dental qualifications as being eligible for registration. Dentists qualifying in Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Malta— only up to 1978, New Zealand, Singapore and at most South African dental schools before 1 January 2001 are eligible for registration with the GDC. Dentists qualifying in other countries or in any other non-EEA country after 1 January 2001 are required to take the GDC international qualifying examination or Bachelor of Dental Surgery before becoming eligible for registration.
Details of individuals waiting to sit each part of the IQE are as follows:
Part A
53 Candidates have been invited to sit exams in November 2002. There are currently 95 candidates on the waiting list and a capacity for 100 in March 2003.
Part B
45 candidates will sit exams in November and January 2003. This leaves 59 candidates on the waiting list and a capacity of 92 during the period March to July 2003.
Part C
77 Candidates will sit exams in November 2002, January and February 2003. This would leave 34 candidates on the waiting list and a capacity of 32 places in April-May 2003. Further examination dates are to be confirmed.