Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will discuss with the General Dental Council steps to address the disparity in acceptable scores on the International English Language Testing System achieved by dentists and dental hygienists and the scores accepted in such tests by the General Medical Council for doctors from outside the UK who are able to practise in the UK.

Both the General Medical Council (GMC) and the General Dental Council (GDC) are able to apply a language test to international applicants wishing to practise in the United Kingdom. Proportionate language controls can also be applied by the GMC and GDC on all applicants from the European Economic Area wishing to practise in the UK to ensure that doctors and dentists have the necessary English language skills to practise safely in the UK.

It is for the GMC and GDC as independent regulatory bodies to decide what constitutes an acceptable knowledge of English to practise safely in the UK including an acceptable score in the International English Language Test.