Hiring and Sponsoring Dental Practitioners (SOC Code 2253)

Dental Practitioners, classified under SOC Code 2253, are essential healthcare professionals dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of dental issues. Their role spans various critical functions, including:

• Examinations: Utilizes dental and x-ray equipment to assess patients’ teeth, gums, and jaw.
• Diagnosis: Identifies dental conditions and informs patients of their oral health status.
• Treatment Recommendations: Suggests appropriate treatment options tailored to individual patient needs.
• Administering Anaesthetics: Provides local anaesthetics to facilitate pain-free procedures.
• Clinical Treatments: Conducts a variety of procedures, including:
  • Restoring teeth affected by decay.
  • Treating gum disease and other oral disorders.
  • Constructing and fitting braces, inlays, dentures, and other dental appliances.
• Patient Supervision: Monitors patients’ progress throughout treatment and advises on preventative oral health measures.
• Patient Education: Guides patients on maintaining oral health care practices.
• Specialist Referrals: Refers patients to dental specialists when advanced treatment is needed.
• Record Maintenance: Keeps comprehensive dental health records for each patient.
• Research and Education: Engages in research activities, delivers lectures, and participates in clinical trials to advance dental practices.

With an ever-growing demand for qualified dental practitioners in the UK, propelled by advancements in dental technology and increasing public awareness of oral health, there is a consistent need to recruit skilled professionals. This guide is designed to assist HR professionals in navigating the complexities of hiring and sponsoring dental practitioners under the UK’s immigration framework.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Dental Practitioners?

SOC Code 2253 refers to Dental Practitioners who provide comprehensive oral health care services to patients. Their responsibilities can include:

• Examining patients: Using dental and x-ray equipment to assess teeth, gums, and jaw.
• Diagnosing conditions: Identifying dental issues and formulating treatment plans.
• Administering anaesthetics: Providing local anaesthetics to ensure patient comfort during procedures.
• Performing treatments: Carrying out clinical procedures to restore teeth, treat gum disease, and address other dental disorders.
• Constructing appliances: Creating and fitting braces, inlays, dentures, and other dental appliances.
• Monitoring progress: Supervising patient recovery and providing guidance on preventative care.
• Educating patients: Offering information on oral health care practices to enhance patient well-being.
• Referring to specialists: Sending patients to dental specialists when advanced care is necessary.
• Maintaining records: Keeping accurate and updated dental health records for each patient.
• Engaging in education and research: Preparing and delivering lectures, participating in clinical trials, and conducting research to advance the field of dentistry.

Dental practitioners play a vital role in promoting oral health, enhancing quality of life, and contributing to the overall health of the community.

Eligibility to Hire Dental Practitioners (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Dental practitioners must possess the necessary qualifications, skills, and experience to effectively diagnose and treat dental conditions. These may include:

• Educational Qualifications: A degree in dentistry or dental surgery from an accredited institution, along with necessary licensing and certification as required by local regulations.
• Clinical Skills: Proficiency in using dental and x-ray equipment for examinations and diagnoses of dental conditions.
• Treatment Expertise: Experience in administering local anaesthetics, performing clinical treatments such as restorative procedures, gum disease treatment, and the construction and fitting of braces, inlays, dentures, and other dental appliances.
• Patient Management: Ability to assess, recommend, and supervise treatment options for patients, while also providing education on oral health care and preventative measures.
• Professional Development: Engagement in further education, research, and participation in clinical trials, alongside preparation and delivery of lectures related to dentistry.
• Record Keeping: Accurate maintenance and management of patients’ dental health records and the ability to refer patients to specialists when necessary.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 2253 and the dental practitioner’s experience and work meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Dental Practitioners: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Dental Practitioners under SOC Code 2253.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Dental Practitioners, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Dental Practitioners under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Dental Practitioners. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Dental Practitioners applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Dental Practitioners’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorshipfor a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Dental Practitioners can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Dental Practitioners

Before the Dental Practitioners begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Dental Practitioners’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Dental Practitioners holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Dental Practitioners’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Dental Practitioners’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Dental Practitionerss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Dental Practitioners

Sponsoring Dental Practitioners under SOC Code 2253 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Dental Practitioners, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Dental Practitioners under SOC Code 2253 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.