LONDON: Thousands of internationally qualified dentists—including many from Pakistan aspiring to practise in the United Kingdom—have received additional time to prepare after the UK's General Dental Council (GDC) postponed the booking window for the Overseas Registration Exam (ORE) Part 2.
The GDC announced that ORE Part 2 bookings, originally scheduled to open this week, will now take place on Tuesday, July 21, after the regulator decided to carry out further testing of its online booking platform following technical problems experienced during the recent ORE Part 1 booking process.
For Pakistani dentists pursuing registration with the GDC, the postponement offers several extra days to finalise their preparation before competing for the limited number of Part 2 examination places, which are typically secured within minutes because of exceptionally high international demand.
Technical issues prompt delay
According to the GDC, the decision follows widespread technical difficulties encountered during the ORE Part 1 booking process on June 30, when candidates using the newly introduced MyGDC portal reported loading errors, payment failures and uncertainty over whether their exam places had been successfully reserved despite payments being processed.
To restore confidence in the booking process, the regulator said it requires additional testing to ensure candidates can complete their bookings securely and accurately.
"We understand any change to timing can be unsettling for candidates, and we apologise for any inconvenience this causes," a GDC spokesperson said.
Why the delay matters for Pakistani dentists
Every year, a significant number of Pakistani BDS graduates pursue the Overseas Registration Exam as a pathway to obtaining registration with the General Dental Council and building dental careers in the United Kingdom.
Because ORE Part 2 places are limited and demand consistently exceeds availability, booking day itself has become one of the most competitive stages of the registration process.
The additional preparation time may benefit candidates still refining their clinical skills, reviewing examination requirements or completing travel arrangements before attempting to secure a place.
However, while candidates now have more time before bookings open, the examination timetable itself remains unchanged, meaning successful applicants will ultimately have one week less between securing their seat and sitting the examination.
GDC working to improve booking system
The regulator said it has already resolved the majority of issues reported during the previous booking process by reviewing candidate bookings and payment records individually.
Looking ahead, the GDC has also announced plans to introduce a new examination portal for ORE candidates from 2027, aiming to provide a more reliable and streamlined booking experience for internationally qualified dentists.
For Pakistani dentists planning careers in the UK, the latest development underscores the importance of staying updated with official GDC announcements, as competition for ORE examination places continues to intensify.
Don't miss your booking opportunity
If you're a Pakistani dentist planning to practise in the UK through the ORE pathway, staying informed could make the difference between securing a seat and missing out.
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