How Indian BDS and MDS graduates can register with the GDC and practise in the UK
India has one of the largest dental workforces in the world, with thousands of BDS and MDS graduates each year from DCI-accredited institutions. Many choose to pursue their career in the UK — a pathway that requires passing the GDC's Overseas Registration Examination (ORE). OREPass was built with Indian candidates in mind: our question bank covers every domain tested in ORE Part 1, with the depth and clinical reasoning style that Indian graduates find most challenging.
The Dental Council of India (DCI) regulates dental education across the country. A DCI-accredited BDS is a 4-year programme plus a one-year compulsory rotating internship. MDS is a 3-year postgraduate qualification. The GDC requires holders of both degrees to complete the full ORE pathway (Part 1 + Part 2). Notably, even highly experienced specialists with an MDS must sit both parts.
Confirm your Dental Council of India (DCI) degree meets the GDC's eligibility criteria to sit the ORE. You can check eligibility on the GDC website or contact their international registration team.
Apply to sit ORE Part 1 through the GDC website. The exam is held twice yearly — typically March and September. Application windows open several months before the exam date.
Start your OREPass free trial and work through the 7,000+ question bank. Use the mock exams to simulate exam conditions and track your performance by domain.
Sit your Part 1 at a Pearson VUE centre in the UK. Pass mark is 70%. Results are typically available within a few weeks.
Prepare for the Part 2 OSCE clinical exam. The Yardley Clinic in Birmingham — our official partner practice — provides structured ORE Part 2 training.
Once you have passed both parts, you can apply for full GDC registration as a dentist and begin practising in the UK.
Indian dental graduates typically have strong pharmacology and pathology foundations, but GDC-specific areas such as UK radiology regulations (IR(ME)R), NHS protocols and patient communication style require focused preparation. OREPass highlights these high-yield UK-specific areas.
Join thousands of Indian-trained dentists who use OREPass to prepare for GDC ORE Part 1. Our question bank, mock exams, AI Tutor and personalised study plan give you everything you need to pass — first time.
Then £25/month. Cancel any time.
No. Indian DCI qualifications are not on the GDC's list of recognised qualifications for direct registration. You must pass both ORE Part 1 and Part 2 to apply for GDC registration, regardless of whether you hold a BDS or MDS.
Yes. Even holders of an Indian MDS (postgraduate specialist degree) must pass both ORE Part 1 and Part 2. The GDC does not offer exemptions for postgraduate qualifications from non-EEA countries.
Any DCI-accredited BDS or MDS from a recognised Indian university qualifies you to sit the GDC ORE. You will need to provide certified transcripts, evidence of your degree, and proof of your registration with the DCI.
Yes. OREPass is fully online and available worldwide. Many Indian candidates begin preparation months before their UK arrival date, using OREPass on mobile or desktop from India.
Based on OREPass analytics, Indian candidates typically perform well in pharmacology, anatomy and pathology but often need more focused preparation on UK-specific areas: radiation regulations (IR(ME)R 2017), infection control (HTM 01-05), patient communication and consent (Montgomery ruling), and GDC Standards.
OREPass supports Indian BDS and MDS graduates from across India's 300+ dental colleges. Graduates from these institutions are among our most active users:
One of India's most internationally recognised dental institutions. Manipal graduates frequently seek GDC registration, particularly those based in London and Leicester.
A leading government institution in Delhi. MAIDS graduates have strong clinical foundations well-suited to the GDC ORE.
One of India's largest dental colleges. Saveetha produces significant numbers of graduates pursuing international registration.
Private institution with strong research output and significant international graduate numbers.
Highly competitive government institution. Mumbai graduates form a large part of the Indian dental diaspora in the UK.
Sister institution to Manipal Dental — consistently strong academic output and international graduate placements.
Kerala-based institution producing graduates who frequently pursue GDC registration, particularly in London.
Well-regarded Karnataka institution with significant numbers of GDC ORE applicants.
Large private institution with multiple campuses. Pune graduates frequently appear in OREPass registration data.
Bangalore-based institution with strong postgraduate programmes. MDS holders from Ramaiah frequently sit the GDC ORE.
Historic UP institution with strong clinical training and regular GDC ORE applicants.
Karnataka institution with internationally recognised standards and significant overseas graduate numbers.
These universities are listed for informational purposes. OREPass is an independent platform not affiliated with or endorsed by any of these institutions.
For ORE Part 2 clinical training, The Yardley Clinic in Birmingham is our official partner practice. They offer hands-on mannequin sessions, live patient shadowing, mock OSCE and expert feedback — all delivered by GDC-registered trainers. The clinic is popular with Indian candidates based in London, Leicester, Birmingham, Manchester and Coventry.
Learn about ORE Part 2 training at The Yardley Clinic →