Your guide to the GDC ORE pathway from a Nigerian dental qualification
Nigeria is one of the most significant source countries for overseas-trained dentists in the UK. Nigerian-trained dentists are widely respected for their clinical foundations — and many are now building successful careers in the NHS and private practice. To register with the GDC from an MDCN qualification, you must pass the Overseas Registration Examination (ORE). OREPass is purpose-built for ORE Part 1 preparation, with a question bank covering all 8 GDC domains.
The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) regulates dental education and practice in Nigeria. Nigerian dental graduates hold either a BDS or BChD from MDCN-accredited universities. These are 6-year programmes including clinical training. The GDC requires Nigerian-qualified dentists to pass both ORE Part 1 and Part 2. You will need to provide your MDCN registration certificate and certified transcripts as part of your GDC application.
Confirm your Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) 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.
Nigerian dental graduates typically have extensive clinical exposure from their training, which is an asset in ORE Part 2. For Part 1, the key areas to focus on are UK-specific radiation regulations, infection control standards, GDC professional standards and consent law — topics that differ significantly from Nigerian practice.
OREPass is used by Nigerian-qualified dentists in both Nigeria and the UK 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.
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Yes. An MDCN-accredited BDS or BChD qualifies you to apply for the GDC ORE pathway. Both the BDS and BChD are accepted.
Yes — all Nigerian-qualified dentists must complete both parts. There are no exemptions for Nigerian graduates.
Based on OREPass data, Nigerian dentists often do well in clinical dentistry and pathology domains, but benefit most from focused preparation on UK radiation regulations (IR(ME)R), infection control (HTM 01-05), dental materials science and GDC professionalism standards.
Absolutely. OREPass is fully online and available in Nigeria. You can access the full question bank, mock exams and AI Tutor from your phone or computer.
Nigerian dental graduates from the country's leading universities are some of OREPass's most active users. Key institutions include:
Lagos's flagship university with one of Nigeria's most competitive dental schools. UNILAG graduates are among the most common Nigerian applicants for GDC registration.
Nigeria's premier university and home to one of its oldest dental schools. UI graduates are highly regarded clinically.
South-west Nigeria's leading university. OAU dental graduates regularly pursue GDC registration with strong academic foundations.
South-east Nigeria's flagship institution. UNN dental graduates form a significant part of the Nigerian dental diaspora in the UK.
South-south Nigeria institution with strong clinical training and regular GDC ORE applicants.
Northern Nigeria's largest university. ABU dental graduates frequently seek GDC registration, often settling in northern UK cities.
State university with a growing dental school and increasing numbers of GDC ORE applicants.
South-south institution with dental graduates increasingly pursuing UK practice.
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 Nigerian candidates based in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Nottingham.
Learn about ORE Part 2 training at The Yardley Clinic →