ITI Scholars who wish to undertake clinical activity involving patients in the United Kingdom must hold the appropriate General Dental Council (GDC) registration before they can treat patients. Further information on GDC registration requirements is available through the General Dental Council website (https://www.gdc-uk.org). The GDC confirms that dental professionals must be registered before working in the UK, and that temporary registration may allow overseas-qualified dentists to practise in supervised posts for training, teaching, or research purposes only.

Candidates with dental qualifications obtained outside the UK should follow the relevant GDC registration pathway well in advance of their arrival. Where full registration is not available, temporary registration may need to be sought, subject to GDC eligibility requirements and the availability of an appropriate supervised post. The GDC states that temporary registration is for dentists who are not eligible for full registration but have an offer of a supervised post for training, teaching, or research purposes.

GDC registration is an essential requirement for QMUL and Barts Health NHS Trust to issue the appropriate honorary arrangements that permit supervised clinical activity with patients. Clinical work will only be undertaken under the supervision of delegated consultants or authorised staff members, and in accordance with the conditions of the scholar’s registration, honorary contract, and institutional governance requirements.

All candidates, whether from EU or non-EU countries, are also responsible for clarifying and completing any visa and right-to-work requirements applicable to their nationality and circumstances before arrival in the UK. UK Government guidance states that individuals must prove their right to work before starting work, and that the process depends on nationality and immigration status.

ITI Scholars do not hold formal QMUL or Barts Health student/trainee status. However, subject to the relevant University and Hospital honorary contracts, they may be provided with a working space, institutional email account, library access, and supervised access to clinical and research activities. Any delay in obtaining GDC registration, temporary registration, honorary contracts, or visa/right-to-work clearance may delay the scholar’s ability to enter the clinical environment or treat patients.

Authorization for "independent" treatment of implant patients with problems of varying degrees of complexity will depend on the competencies of the individual ITI Scholar. These will be assessed during the program's initial period.

Clinical teaching of undergraduate students for 1-2 sessions per week may be part of the program (assuming an appropriate level of experience on the part of the Scholar).

Minimum 3 years’ clinical experience. Implant experience at Straightforward Level is mandatory.

Applicants with post-graduate education in periodontics, prosthodontics or other significant restorative dentistry experience and/or previous clinical research experience are preferred.

In terms of research, the ITI Scholar will be integrated into the multidisciplinary research team at the Centre for Oral Clinical Research. This team comprises a Clinical Research Facility Manager/Trial Coordinator, clinical research nurses, clinical research fellows, and internationally and nationally recognised academic staff.

While not mandatory, it is desirable for the Scholar to initiate and progress—ideally to completion—a research project (e.g., a systematic review) during the scholarship year. Where feasible, the Scholar will also be encouraged to contribute to at least one ongoing clinical research project.

Appropriate training in research methodology will be provided, tailored to the Scholar’s prior experience and the requirements of the projects undertaken.

A TOEFL or IELTS certificate as proof of proficiency in English for non-native-English speakers is required by the beginning of the ITI Scholarship program.

The required IELTS score for dental professionals is an overall average of 7, with a minimum score of 6.5 in each of the component parts of the test. For non-EU Nationals, the IELTS should be completed immediately after being accepted for an ITI Scholarship, as the test results are a primary requirement when applying for a visa to the UK.

The aim of this programme at the Centre for Oral Clinical Research is to enhance the knowledge and skills of the ITI Scholar with particular emphasis on the ITI philosophy.
The ITI Scholar will complete the program having attained broad experience and expertise in dental implants, which will provide solid foundations for their professional career.

The ITI Scholarship Program comprises:

• Access to didactic programs (lectures, seminars, practical/clinical courses) offered by the department at postgraduate level
• Literature review seminars
• Access to the 1-week comprehensive Implant Core Course, organized by the department
• Multidisciplinary implant consultations (with colleagues from prosthodontics, periodontics and where necessary, oral and maxillo-facial surgery)
• Treatment planning seminars with case presentations
• Multidisciplinary hypodontia clinic (with orthodontic and paedodontic colleagues)
• Comprehensive treatment of selected implant patients (under supervision), including treatment planning, preparation of surgical interventions, implant placement (initially as an assistant, later with the assistance of an experienced surgeon) as well as the subsequent prosthetic rehabilitation
• Participation in ongoing implant and periodontology-related research projects (according to availability and list of ongoing projects)
• Training in clinical research governance
• Participation in periodontology clinical research projects
• Participation in Periodontology new patient clinics

We strongly advise you to consider cost of living (housing/rent, food, transportation, etc.) in the city of this ITI Scholarship Center, as certain destinations can be very expensive. It is essential to understand that the ITI scholarship stipend does not cover all living expenses but only contributes to these. Therefore, make sure you are fully aware of the cost of living in the city of this Scholarship Center if you consider applying for it. You must be prepared to co-finance the cost of living out of your own pocket. The ITI cannot provide additional funding during the scholarship year.