Addressing the dental hygienist and therapist workforce shortfall

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Mohammed Ghafoor discusses the barriers facing EU-trained dental hygienists and dental therapists.

The UK is currently grappling with a significant shortage of dental hygienists and dental therapists, a critical component of the workforce. These professionals play a vital role in preventive oral healthcare, yet the barriers to integrating EU-trained (European Union) practitioners are exacerbating workforce challenges. 

At Enamel Academy, we are at the forefront of addressing this issue. As a provider of dental education and training, we have been inundated with inquiries from EU-trained hygienists and therapists seeking guidance and opportunities to meet the UK’s regulatory requirements. 

Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to support these professionals, the regulatory hurdles and lack of viable pathways to registration remain significant obstacles.

A notable issue we are seeing is that a considerable number of EU-qualified dental therapists and hygienists are unable to register with the General Dental Council (GDC) and work in their respective roles. 

As a result, many of these professionals are choosing to work as trainee dental nurses instead, as they are unable to fulfil the registration criteria necessary to practice as dental therapists or hygienists in the UK. 

This not only represents a missed opportunity for the UK dental sector but also affects the career progression of skilled individuals who could otherwise contribute significantly to addressing the workforce shortage.

The workforce crisis 

Dental hygienists and therapists are indispensable in ensuring the health of patients by preventing and managing oral diseases. Despite this, the UK dental workforce faces severe shortages, worsened by a growing population and increasing demand for dental care. 

According to the GDC, the number of dental hygienists and therapists has failed to keep pace with demand, leading to delays in treatment and increased pressure on existing practitioners.

This shortage is not just a numbers game; it has tangible effects on patient outcomes. Preventable conditions such as tooth decay and gum disease remain widespread, with implications for overall health. 

Recruiting skilled professionals from other countries, especially the EU, could mitigate this crisis – yet regulatory and systemic barriers make this a complex endeavour.

Training length and scope

In the UK, becoming a dental hygienist or therapist requires rigorous training, typically through a three-year undergraduate program. This training equips practitioners with the skills needed to perform key procedures, including scaling, polishing, and administering local anaesthesia (LA). 

EU counterparts however often undergo different training programs. While they acquire similar skills, the administration of LA on real patients is not universally part of their curriculum.

Consequently, EU-trained hygienists and therapists must demonstrate their competency in LA to meet GDC registration requirements. This process is complicated by a stipulation that such competency must be shown on actual patients – a criterion that raises significant ethical and logistical challenges.

Barriers to registration

EU-trained professionals face a paradoxical situation. The GDC requires them to prove their ability to administer LA on real patients. However without registration these individuals cannot legally perform clinical procedures in the UK. This creates a catch-22 that prevents otherwise qualified professionals from meeting the registration criteria.

Although some candidates seek additional LA training in the UK, they often find that available courses do not meet the GDC’s specific requirements. Furthermore, obtaining supervised clinical experience without registration is not possible, as performing clinical procedures on actual patients requires GDC registration. 

This situation not only deters skilled practitioners from entering the UK workforce but also represents a missed opportunity to address the current shortfall. At Enamel Academy, we have been inundated with inquiries from EU-trained hygienists and therapists seeking guidance and training opportunities to meet these requirements. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer them a hands-on LA course as they are not GDC registered, preventing us from providing the necessary practical experience.

Regulatory complexities

The UK’s withdrawal from the European Union has added layers of complexity to the registration process. While EU-trained hygienists previously benefited from streamlined recognition of qualifications, they now face stricter assessments and requirements. These changes aim to uphold high standards of care but often result in overly rigid processes that fail to account for international training variations.

The GDC’s emphasis on patient safety is commendable, yet the current system inadvertently excludes skilled practitioners who could otherwise contribute to improving dental healthcare in the UK. Balancing safety with accessibility is crucial to addressing workforce gaps.

A path forward

To resolve this issue, collaborative efforts between regulatory bodies, training providers, and policymakers are essential. The following steps could help bridge the gap:

• Supervised clinical pathways: establish a framework for EU-trained hygienists to gain supervised experience administering LA in a controlled environment
• Recognition of alternative training: accept accredited LA courses that assess competency through simulations or other practical methods
• Streamlined registration processes: develop clear and flexible pathways for international professionals that account for variations in training without compromising patient safety.
• These measures would not only support the integration of skilled EU-trained professionals but also strengthen the dental workforce at a time when it is most needed.

Conclusion

The shortage of dental hygienists and therapists in the UK underscores the urgency of addressing barriers to registration for EU-trained professionals. By re-evaluating current requirements and fostering collaboration, the GDC and other stakeholders can unlock a valuable pool of talent. 

At Enamel Academy, we are dedicated to supporting EU-trained hygienists and therapists in overcoming these challenges and finding pathways to contribute to the UK dental workforce. By exploring flexible solutions to training, such as supervised clinical pathways and the recognition of alternative qualifications, we can help alleviate workforce pressures and enhance the quality and accessibility of dental care for patients across the UK.

We have reached out to the General Dental Council and eagerly await a reply, as addressing these concerns is crucial to improving the UK’s dental workforce and healthcare system. 

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