Home Registration of Dentists Registration RequirementsFull Registration (Part 1 of the General Register)

Registration of Dentists

Registration Requirements

Full Registration (Part 1 of the General Register)

According to section 8 of the Dentists Registration Ordinance, a person may apply for full registration as a registered dentist in Hong Kong if

  1. the person has been awarded—
    1. a bachelor degree in dentistry awarded by a university in Hong Kong specified in Schedule 1 of the Ordinance; and
    2. a certificate of experience under section 8C of the Ordinance;
  2. the person—
    1. has passed the Licensing Examination; and
    2. has been awarded a certificate of experience under section 8D of the Ordinance; or
  3. the person—
    1. has worked under full-time employment as a person with limited registration in one or more Schedule 4 institutions or as a person with special registration in one or more Schedule 5 institutions for at least 5 years in aggregate;
    2. is certified by the institution, or by all the institutions, to have satisfactorily served as a dentist during the employment period by reference to the criteria specified by the Dental Council; and
    3. satisfies the condition specified in Schedule 10 of the Ordinance.

Note:
  1. The University of Hong Kong is specified in Schedule 1 of the Ordinance.
  2. Schedule 4 Institutions include Department of Health, Hospital Authority, The University of Hong Kong and The Prince Philip Dental Hospital.
  3. Schedule 5 Institutions include Department of Health, Hospital Authority, The University of Hong Kong and The Prince Philip Dental Hospital.

The Dental Council may reject the application if it is satisfied, after due inquiry, that the applicant –

  1. has been convicted in Hong Kong or elsewhere of an offence punishable with imprisonment;
  2. has been found guilty in Hong Kong or elsewhere of unprofessional conduct; or
  3. is not of good character.

Transfer between Practising List and Non-practising List

According to sections 12H and 12I of the Ordinance, a registered dentist with full registration and name on the practising list may apply to the Registrar of Dentists and the Dental Council for transfer of name to the non-practising list and issue of a retention certificate respectively.

According to section 12J of the Ordinance, a registered dentist with full registration and name on the non-practising list may apply to the Registrar of Dentists for transfer of name to the practising list. The Registrar of Dentists will arrange the transfer if a practising certificate has been issued to the applicant.

Forms and Related Guidance Notes

*Will take effect from 1 April 2025