On Air The Afternoon Show Alex Brindley | 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Foreign dentists could work on Island without exam to check qualifications

Any changes to UK rules would apply here too

Foreign dentists would be allowed to work on the Isle of Man without taking an exam to check their qualifications if the UK goes ahead with its plans.

Its government is currently considering the move to help tackle the shortage of dentists there.

To be able to practice on the Island, dentists need to be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC), which is a UK regulator.

Under the new rules set by the UK government, the GDC would be given new legal powers to provisionally register dentists using its own judgement on their qualifications.

It's hoped the move will 'remove the red tape' for fully qualified professionals from outside Europe who are looking to practice here.

However, some critics say it doesn't do anything to combat the number of dentists concentrating on private work rather than NHS work.

The Department of Health and Social Care says it has no input over the registration requirements set, but any changes would apply to dentists here as well.

More from Isle of Man News