Dent Recruit Contributor
Intro
If you’ve graduated as a dentist and have a few years clinical experience under your belt, you might be thinking of making the move to Europe to work. But Europe is a big place. There’s so much to consider – language requirements, working culture, cost of living, standard of education for family members? If you’re going to make the move, you want to make sure you know where is the best place to go - for you as a dentist, and for the whole family. So how do you decide where’s the best place to practise as a dentist? And how does working as a dentist in Ireland compare to other EU states?
There are many benefits to working as a dentist in Ireland, particularly if you’ve come here from abroad. Expect strong job prospects with an excellent salary, access to cutting-edge facilities, and a supportive dental professional network. And of course, Ireland’s economy in 2024 is projected for growth. Ireland has a lot to offer an ambitious dental professional who wants to pursue a fulfilling career. But what about other EU states - how do they shape up beside the Irish dental sector?
Being a dentist in the EU
Spain
Spain is a relatively stable country with great weather and a good work/life balance. In Spain, dentists can expect an average annual salary for dentists is €162,780. This salary is almost double that of a Swiss dentist. In addition the country has relatively low taxes and although the overall cost of living is low in Spain, there are aspects that cost more than other places. Utilities like electricity and gas are quite high. If you’re looking at salary alone, then the Spanish dentists are top of the league.
Norway
There is a high demand for dental work in Norway, which accounts for dentists' high salaries - the average annual salary around €86,100. Dental treatments for children are free and covered by the national health service. Generally though Norwegians pay high taxes and the country’s high cost of living and long dark winters may deter some new arrivals. Norway has a steep VAT rate of 25%, one of the world's highest, which pushes up the cost of most everyday items.
Switzerland
Switzerland tends to have high salaries regardless of career as it’s an expensive country to live in. Most citizens enjoy a comfortable lifestyle, but it costs! Dentists can expect an average annual salary of €89,530. This country cares about oral and dental health. Four of the world's five most expensive cities were Swiss, so it's little surprise that life in Switzerland comes with a hefty price tag.
United Kingdom
Despite no longer being an EU state, we’ve included the UK here as it still attracts lots of foreign dentists. You’ll need to sit and pass the equivalency exam ORE (conducted by General Dental Council). You need to take into consideration that these exams are split over 3 parts, with one alone costing over £1,525. Depending on where you live in the UK, housing can be expensive (London v Liverpool). The UK ranks as the 27th most expensive country to live in. Dentists can work in the public sector (the NHS) or private practice. Salaried dentists can earn a basic salary of between £47,653 (€56,000) and £101,923 (€120,000).
Germany
The cost of living in Germany is quite reasonable compared to other European countries. And the good news is that salaries for dentists are pretty good too - although not the highest in Europe. According to the journal Dental Magazin, the salary of an employed dentist is on average up to €104,000 per annum depending on professional training, internal responsibility, working hours and specialism. You’ll need to have a good grasp of German to advance though, so make sure you brush up on your Duolingo.
Netherlands
A dentist working in the Netherlands will typically earn around €136,200 per year. This can range from the lowest average salary of about €71,020 to the highest average salary of €207,800. Costs of living can be high in the cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam, with housing being the biggest outgoing. To practise as a dentist in Netherlands, there are several essential requirements to meet. These include registering with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service, obtaining a work permit, demonstrating proficiency in the Dutch language at B2+ level, and ensuring inclusion in the BIG register. Dentists educated outside the EU or EEA must undergo qualification recognition through tests and assessments.
France
In France patients have high expectations - they expect quality and can pay for it. In addition to the public social security coverage, about 85 percent of patients in France use extra private dental insurance that will cover the costs of most treatments. Consequently, dentists in France are not just doing fillings and extractions, but also a lot of implantology, prosthetics and endodontics which, because they are more expensive, translate into higher turnover and of course higher salaries. The average dental salary comes in around €125,436 (£106,823).
Italy
As in many countries, to practise dentistry in Italy, you must have your qualifications recognized. This may involve having your qualifications assessed by the relevant Italian authority, possibly requiring additional training or examinations. You’ll need to include proof of language competency, registration with the dental council, and the ability to work in Italy legally. Once you do, an Italian dentist can earn on average €125,645 a year.
Ireland
Ireland has around 2,000 active dentists across private practice, HSE Dental Service, and its hospitals. There are state schemes like the PRSI Dental Scheme with annual oral exams for insured workers. The HSE's Children's Dental Service assures accessible care for children that solidifies Ireland as a top-tier destination for dentists across the world. You can expect an average salary of €148,794. In addition, there is a huge demand for dentists as there’s currently a recruitment crisis in the sector.
If you’re thinking of moving to Ireland to work as a dentist, then Dent Recruit can help. We’re a specialised dental recruitment service based in Ireland and we focus on connecting non-Irish dentists with clinics here. We can help you find a job, organise your work permit, and register with the Irish Dental Council. Ireland offers a welcoming and rewarding environment to thrive as a dentist. All you have to do is take the first step.
[Imagery Source: Mark Dalton]
