To provide NHS dental care in England, a dentist must be included on the Dental Performers List, managed through PCSE Online. Since 2013, any dentist working under an NHS contract must be on the list.
The requirement applies to dentists from abroad, dentists moving from elsewhere in the UK and newly qualified dentists alike. The process differs across the four UK countries, and we manage the correct one for wherever your practice is based.
A dentist who has not completed UK foundation training, which often applies to those qualified overseas, may be admitted to the performers list with conditions attached. In England this usually means a supervised, assessed period of work, known as Validation by Experience or PLVE, in an approved practice under an approved supervisor.
It is a normal part of the route, not a setback. The dentist works and treats NHS patients throughout, while building a portfolio and being assessed. Once the assessment is complete, NHS England removes the conditions from their performer record. The period typically runs from around three to twelve months depending on prior experience.
This is exactly the kind of detail that catches practices out. Dentello manages the whole process: arranging the supervised period, coordinating the supervisor and portfolio, tracking progress and seeing the conditions through to removal, alongside the dentist’s onboarding into your practice.
A dentist without a performer number cannot deliver NHS care, however busy your list. Activating it on time is the difference between a chair earning from day one and a chair sitting idle.
A dentist cannot deliver NHS activity at your practice until their performer number is active. Tracking it protects:
Confirm the NHS role and provide your practice and contract details.
Prepares and tracks the performer number application through the relevant NHS body and reports readiness for first NHS activity.
In England, a performer number is sometimes granted with conditions, such as a period of mentoring or supervision set by a supervising mentor. Those conditions can delay first activity or catch a practice off guard.
Dentello manages the full PCSE application and tracks any conditions attached to the number, including supervising-mentor requirements, so you know exactly what is required and when the dentist can begin delivering NHS activity. For your practice, that removes the guesswork from onboarding an overseas or newly registered dentist.
It is confirmation that a dentist is on the NHS performers list and authorised to deliver NHS dental care. In England this is managed through PCSE Online.
Any dentist wishing to work under an NHS contract, including dentists from abroad, those moving from elsewhere in the UK and newly qualified dentists.
No. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have their own performers list process. We manage the correct one for where the practice is based.
If a dentist arrives before their performer number is active, they cannot deliver NHS care and may be limited to private work. We time activation to arrival so NHS revenue is not lost.
This is common for dentists who have not completed UK foundation training, including many who qualified overseas. They join the performers list with conditions, completing a supervised, assessed period (Validation by Experience, or PLVE in England) while treating NHS patients. Once assessed, NHS England removes the conditions. We manage the supervised period, the supervisor, the portfolio and the onboarding throughout.
Yes. We manage eligibility, the application, references and the required checks, and coordinate it alongside GDC registration and the visa.
Talk to Dentello about your NHS workforce. We will manage performer number activation and time it to your dentist’s arrival.
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