I am absolutely delighted to share that I have recently passed my ORE2 and can now practise as a dentist in the UK. As a refugee from the Ukrainian/Russian war that began in 2022, this achievement means a great deal to me. I am incredibly grateful to the BDA Benevolent Fund for supporting me on this journey by funding my ORE2 examination.

I arrived in the UK in April 2022 with my two children, who were aged 3 and 6 at the time. I had worked as a dentist in my home country for 10 years, and it is a profession I truly love. Naturally, I was determined to use my skills and experience in the UK. I had to work as a trainee dental nurse for 2.5 years while waiting for my dental therapist application to be processed by the GDC. Fortunately, I was able to apply just in time before the route for overseas dentists closed in March 2023. I received my registration as a dental therapist in February 2025 and have been working in this role since. I passed ORE1 in April 2025.

However, saving for the ORE2 fee would have taken me a very long time. Fortunately, through a group of Ukrainian dentists, I learned about the BDA Benevolent Fund and the financial support they offer to refugee dentists wishing to sit this crucial exam. While the GDC provides priority places for refugee dentists, the timescales for applying and securing funding are extremely tight and can be very stressful. The arrangement made by the BDA Benevolent Fund to pay the exam fee directly to the GDC was therefore a huge relief.

I applied with all the required documentation, and the process was incredibly quick. The communication from the charity was excellent, and I was relieved to secure a place for the November sitting — which I passed.