We caught up with Sheetal, one of our dentists who moved to the UK from India to find out more about her career journey and experience relocating.
“After completing my BDS from India and practising dentistry for around 2.5 years, I made the decision to move to the UK after getting married. Life in the UK presented a whole new set of challenges, including language, food, people, environment, and the overall healthcare system. To my surprise, I discovered that in order to practice dentistry in the UK, I had to pass the ORE (Overseas Registration Examination). This news was daunting, and I knew I had a mountain to climb.”
Sheetal embarked on the journey of becoming qualified in the UK. She said:
“In 2013, I began my preparations for the ORE exam. The exam had a success rate of just 8-9%, making it one of the most difficult exams to clear. It consisted of Theory 1 and Theory 2 as part 1, and upon passing those, there was a 3-day practical exam. Balancing my studies with my personal life became even more challenging when I conceived my daughter. It was incredibly tough for me to leave my 13-month-old daughter in nursery from 8am to 6pm so I could study, however, with sheer determination and perseverance, I managed to pass the ORE in 2018.”
Once qualified, Sheetal began working alongside a mentor at Bupa Dental Care to gain valuable experience.
“The General Dental Council (GDC) required me to gain experience before they could issue the approval of PLVE (Performers List Validation by Experience) Training, but without the experience in UK, it was difficult to secure a job as a private dentist. Drawing upon my past experience in India, I made the decision to relocate my family to Eastbourne from London in order to gain experience as a private dentist in the UK.”
“I finally received the opportunity I had been waiting for. Bupa Dental Care agreed to give me the PLVE training, and I moved to Norwich to pursue my career as a dentist. Throughout this journey, my mentor, Dr. Hasier, played a crucial role in helping me gain a better understanding of NHS dentistry and the overall healthcare system in the UK. The nurses and support staff at Bupa Dental Care were always ready to lend a helping hand, and I am grateful for the support I received from my manager.”
Thanks to her perseverance and determination, she has now completed her training and is a valued member of the Bupa Dental Care Dereham team.
“In 2023, after a roller coaster of a journey, I successfully completed my PLVE. It was a ride filled with adventure, challenges, and personal growth. I am incredibly thankful to my mentor, Dr. Hasier, and the staff at Bupa Dental Care for their guidance and support. I am also very grateful to my husband, my daughter and family who stood by me throughout this wonderful ride. Serving patients and witnessing the smiles on their faces brings immense pleasure and fulfilment to my life as a dentist.”
If you’d like to find out how you can join Bupa Dental Care from overseas, visit our website: https://jobs.bupadentalcare.co.uk/eu-eea-dentist-uk-and-overseas-based/
