Are Polish and Swedish dental graduates adequately prepared for dental practice in the UK? A discussion of the transferability of general dental practitioners in Europe.

In the context of European Union harmonization, this article compares the systems of training for general dental practice in three European countries, the UK, Sweden and Poland. A UK perspective is adopted and the question as to whether dentists who have qualified in Poland or Sweden are adequately prepared for practice in the UK is explored. The paper is a result of discussion between providers of dental training in the three study countries. Key similarities, strengths and weaknesses are identified and issues pertinent to the transferability of general dental practitioners within Europe are raised.