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  3. SOC 2253

Dental practitioners SOC 2253

Dental practitioners (SOC 2253) qualifies for UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Scroll down for salary benchmarks, the visa rules, and live jobs from licensed sponsors.

What does a dental practitioner do?

Dental practitioners diagnose dental and oral diseases, injuries and disorders, prescribe and administer treatment, recommend preventative action and, where necessary, refer the patient to a specialist.

Typical tasks

  • examines patient’s teeth, gums and jaw, using dental and x-ray equipment, diagnoses dental conditions
  • assesses and recommends treatment options to patients
  • administers local anaesthetics
  • carries out clinical treatments, restores teeth affected by decay etc., treats gum disease and other disorders
  • constructs and fits braces, inlays, dentures and other appliances
  • supervises patient’s progress and advises on preventative action
  • educates patients on oral health care
  • refers patient to specialist, where necessary
  • maintains patients’ dental health records
  • prepares and delivers lectures, undertakes research, and conducts and participates in clinical trials

Typical entry routes and qualifications

Entrants require an approved university degree and must have completed a period of postgraduate vocational training. Graduate entry to dental school is sometimes possible. Registration with the General Dental Council is a pre-requisite to practise. Specialist fields require further study and training.

Visa sponsorship requirements

SponsorshipEligible
Skill levelHigher Skilled (RQF Level 6+)
Visa issuanceSoon
Uses the NHS national pay scale

How to get sponsored as a dental practitioner

  1. 1

    Find a licensed sponsor on Hunt UK Visa Sponsors

    Browse our register of UK companies with an active sponsor licence. Filter by industry, size, sponsor rating, and whether they're currently hiring dental practitioners, so you only apply where a visa is actually on the table.

    Browse licensed sponsors
  2. 2

    Confirm the salary meets the NHS pay scale

    Dental practitioners roles follow the NHS national pay scale. Your employer must pay at least the Agenda for Change rate set by the Home Office for this occupation code, not the general £41,700 Skilled Worker threshold.

    See NHS pay scales
  3. 3

    Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship

    Your sponsor issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), a reference number the Home Office uses to check the job offer, salary, and duties line up with an eligible SOC code.

  4. 4

    Apply for a Skilled Worker visa at gov.uk

    Submit the Skilled Worker visa application online within 3 months of your CoS assignment date. You'll also book a biometric appointment and pay the immigration health surcharge.

    Apply on gov.uk
  5. 5

    Move to the UK and start work

    Travel to the UK before your CoS start date and begin working for the sponsor named on the certificate.

Roles under SOC 2253

Associate DentistDentists and dental surgeonsEndodontistsOrthodontistsPeriodontistsDental practitioners

Recent jobs under SOC 2253

No current listings under SOC 2253.
Browse all sponsor jobs

Frequently asked questions

Can dental practitioners get a UK Skilled Worker visa?

Yes. Dental practitioners roles fall under SOC 2253 (Higher Skilled), so they qualify for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Your employer will need a sponsor licence and must pay at least the going rate for this occupation.

What salary do dental practitioners need for visa sponsorship?

Dental practitioners roles (SOC 2253) follow the NHS national pay scale rather than a fixed going rate. The minimum salary depends on your Agenda for Change pay band. Check the government's Agenda for Change guidance for your grade.

What job titles are covered by SOC 2253?

SOC 2253 covers a range of dental practitioners roles, including: Dentists and dental surgeons, Endodontists, Orthodontists, Periodontists, Dental practitioners not elsewhere classified.. Keep in mind that the Home Office matches jobs by duties rather than title alone. Two roles with the same title can fall under different SOC codes depending on the actual work involved.

Where can I find dental practitioners jobs with UK visa sponsorship?

We list Dental practitioners roles from companies with a Home Office sponsor licence. Scroll down to see what's currently open, or search our full jobs database for more visa-sponsored positions across the UK.

This information is provided as guidance only and should not be treated as legal advice. Eligibility criteria and salary thresholds are based on the latest published government data. Always verify with the official UK government guidance or seek professional immigration advice.