Finding the right dentist is important for maintaining patient care and running a successful dental practice. However, recruiting a suitable professional can be challenging. Practice owners need to consider clinical experience, qualifications, communication skills and team compatibility before making a hiring decision.
Knowing how to find a dentist who meets your practice’s requirements can make the recruitment process more effective. A clear hiring strategy also helps you attract qualified professionals and build a reliable dental team.
Why Finding the Right Dentist Matters for Your Dental Practice
Hiring the right dentist affects several areas of your practice. The right professional can support patient care, strengthen your reputation, and contribute to business growth.
- Maintaining high standards of patient care: An experienced dentist can provide appropriate treatments and follow professional standards.
- Building patient trust: Good communication helps patients feel comfortable and confident in their treatment.
- Supporting practice growth: A suitable dentist can help expand the range of treatments your practice offers.
- Improving team performance: A professional who works well with colleagues can create a more productive working environment.
What Type of Dentist Does Your Practice Need?
Before starting your search, identify the type of professional your practice needs. Different dental roles require different qualifications, skills and experience.
- General dentist: Provides routine dental care, including examinations, fillings and preventive treatments.
- Associate dentist: Works within an established practice, treating patients and managing their own clinical responsibilities.
- Specialist dentist: Provides specialised treatments in areas such as orthodontics, periodontics or oral surgery.
- Locum dentist: Provides temporary cover for staff absences or periods of increased demand.
- Permanent dentist: Takes on an ongoing position and contributes to the long-term development of the practice.
Dental practices may recruit dentists as employees or self-employed associates, depending on their staffing requirements and business structure.
Employed dentists generally work under an employment contract, with agreed working hours, salary, and employment benefits. Associate dentists commonly work under an associate agreement, with remuneration and responsibilities set out in their contractual arrangements.
Practice owners should clearly define the working relationship, remuneration structure, responsibilities and contractual terms before recruiting a dentist.
How to Find a Dentist for Your Dental Practice
Once you have identified your requirements, you can explore different ways to find a dentist for your practice.
Define Your Hiring Requirements and Job Role
Start by preparing a clear job description. Include the required qualifications, clinical experience, working hours, responsibilities, and salary range. Specify whether you need a full-time, part-time, locum, or permanent dentist.
Advertise on Dental Job Boards
Use relevant dental job platforms to reach professionals actively looking for opportunities. Your advertisement should explain the role, location, benefits and application process.
Use Professional Networks and Industry Connections
Connect with dental professionals through industry events, professional groups and existing staff networks. Employee referrals can also help you reach suitable candidates.
Work with a Dental Recruitment Agency
A specialist dental recruitment agency can help you access a wider pool of candidates. Recruitment consultants can source, screen and shortlist professionals according to your requirements.
Consider International Dental Professionals
International recruitment can provide access to additional talent. However, candidates must meet UK registration, immigration and other applicable requirements before practising.
How to Evaluate and Select the Right Dentist
Finding candidates is only one part of recruitment. You also need to assess whether they are suitable for your practice.
- Check qualifications and clinical experience: Review their dental qualifications, previous roles, and experience with relevant treatments.
- Assess communication skills: A good dentist should explain treatments clearly and communicate effectively with patients and colleagues.
- Review references: Contact previous employers to understand the candidate’s professional conduct and work history.
- Assess team compatibility: Consider how well the candidate will work with your existing dental team.
- Conduct structured interviews: Ask questions about clinical experience, patient care, and professional challenges.
Essential Checks Before Hiring a Dentist in the UK
Before making a final offer, complete the necessary checks to confirm that the candidate can practise in the UK.
- GDC registration: Verify the dentist’s current registration with the General Dental Council (GDC), including any conditions or restrictions on their registration.
- Right to work: Complete the appropriate UK right-to-work checks before employment, following current Home Office guidance.
- DBS checks: Determine whether the candidate is eligible for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and which level is appropriate for the role.
- Professional indemnity: Confirm that appropriate professional indemnity or insurance arrangements are in place before the dentist begins practising.
- References: Verify employment history and professional references.
- NHS requirements: For dentists providing NHS primary dental care, check the applicable NHS Performers List requirements. In England, dentists must be included on the NHS England Dental Performers List.
Permanent vs Locum Dentist Recruitment: Which Is Right for Your Practice?
The right recruitment option depends on your staffing needs and long-term plans.
| Permanent dentist | Locum dentist |
| Provides long-term staffing | Provides temporary cover |
| Supports continuity of care | Helps manage short-term demand |
| Suits ongoing vacancies | Suits staff absences |
| Supports long-term team development | Offers greater short-term flexibility |
Common Challenges When Recruiting Dentists
Dental practices can face several challenges during recruitment.
- Limited candidate availability: Finding dentists with the right experience and qualifications can take time.
- High competition: Practices may compete for the same experienced professionals.
- Recruitment delays: Long hiring processes can leave vacancies unfilled.
- Salary expectations: Candidates may have compensation expectations that do not match the available budget.
- Staff retention: Poor working conditions or limited career opportunities can lead to employee turnover.
How a Dental Recruitment Agency Can Help You Find the Right Dentist
Working with a specialist dental recruitment agency can simplify the hiring process. Recruitment consultants understand the dental sector and can help practices identify suitable professionals.
They can support your practice by:
- Sourcing candidates through established professional networks.
- Screening applications and reviewing relevant experience.
- Checking qualifications and registration details.
- Shortlisting candidates who match your requirements.
- Supporting permanent and locum placements.
Working with a specialist dental recruitment agency can save practice owners valuable time and simplify the hiring process. By understanding the dental sector and the requirements of different practices, recruitment consultants can help identify suitable candidates for permanent, locum and specialist positions. This allows practice owners to focus on running their practice while receiving support throughout the recruitment process.
Tips for Attracting and Retaining the Right Dentist
Attracting qualified professionals is easier when your practice offers a supportive working environment.
- Offer competitive salaries and clear employment terms.
- Provide opportunities for continuing professional development.
- Maintain a supportive and organised workplace.
- Set clear responsibilities and expectations.
- Encourage a healthy work-life balance.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right dentist takes time, industry knowledge and a structured recruitment approach. Whether your practice needs a permanent associate dentist, an experienced specialist or temporary locum cover, working with a dedicated dental recruitment agency can help simplify the process.
At Visage Dental Recruitment, we support dental practices in finding qualified professionals who match their clinical requirements, staffing needs, and practice culture.
If you are looking to recruit a dentist for your practice, contact our team to discuss your requirements and discover how we can help you find the right candidate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to recruit a dentist in the UK?
The cost depends on the recruitment method, role, and candidate’s experience. Practices may incur advertising costs, recruitment agency fees, compliance checks and onboarding expenses. Agency fees also vary depending on the placement terms and whether the role is permanent or temporary.
What should a dental practice include in a dentist’s employment or associate agreement?
An agreement should clearly explain remuneration, working hours, clinical responsibilities, holidays, notice periods, termination terms and any applicable laboratory or practice fees. For associate dentists, it should also clarify the working arrangement, responsibilities and financial terms.
Can a dental practice hire a dentist from overseas?
Yes. UK dental practices can recruit internationally trained dentists. However, candidates must meet the applicable GDC registration, qualification recognition, immigration and right-to-work requirements before starting clinical work.
How can a dental practice reduce the risk of hiring the wrong dentist?
Use a structured recruitment process. Check qualifications, registration, references and relevant clinical experience. Also, assess communication skills and discuss expectations before making an offer. A structured induction and performance review can help identify concerns early.
What happens if a dentist’s GDC registration is suspended or removed?
A dentist whose registration is suspended or removed cannot practise dentistry while that restriction applies. Practices should verify registration status through the GDC register and respond appropriately if a change occurs during employment.