In 2022, I arrived in the UK with my two young daughters and my elderly mother under the Scottish scheme designed to provide sanctuary to those displaced by the war in Ukraine. At that time, my husband and other family members remained in Ukraine, and we were housed temporarily in a hotel in Glasgow.

I realised that to continue my career as a dentist in the UK, I needed to improve my English. I enrolled in a course at the City of Glasgow College and later completed a master’s degree in Oral Sciences at the University of Glasgow.

The British Dental Association (BDA) offered free membership to asylum seekers and refugees. This was invaluable, giving me access to the dental community and opportunities to connect with colleagues at a time when I could have become isolated. At one BDA branch meeting, I was introduced to a great dentist and BDA member, Dr Arshad Ali, who helped me find work as a dental nurse. This role allowed me to gain essential experience of the UK dental system.

Retraining as a dentist in the UK involves sitting the Overseas Registration Examination (ORE). I successfully passed Part I, but the costs of Part II and the resources needed to prepare are substantial. While part of a network of Ukrainian dentists, I learned about the BDA Benevolent Fund’s support for refugee and asylum seeker dentists retraining in the UK. Importantly, you do not need to be a BDA member to apply to the Benevolent Fund.

The application process was straightforward and transparent, with clear guidance on what documents would be required. I was personally contacted by Laura, the CEO of the BDA Benevolent Fund. She took the time to listen, showing great empathy and understanding, while also offering practical advice about managing the costs I was facing. She also highlighted the wellbeing resources available through the Fund’s website, which I found reassuring even though I didn’t need to use them at that time.

Thanks to funding from the BDA Benevolent Fund, I have been able to access the resources I need to prepare for ORE Part II, which I hope to sit later this year.

The assistance I received has placed me firmly on the path to resuming my career as a dentist—a profession I love. I am deeply grateful, as are many other refugee dentists I know, for this support, which has allowed us not only to rebuild our careers but also to contribute once again to the dental community.