Dentist

Conditions of authorisation and licence
There are two normal situations related to applications for authorisation or licence by dentists:

1. Authorisation: Authorisation is granted to applicants who have successfully passed qualifying examinations in odontology. The conditions for authorisation are stated in Health Personnel Act, Section 48.
   
   
2. Licence:. A licence represents permission to practise as a dentist, but on certain conditions. A licence may be restricted in terms of duration, locality, specific tasks, etc., and can only be awarded after a concrete assessment confirming that the licencee can practise her/his profession responsibly. Upon application, licences may also be granted to dentists over 75 years of age. The conditions for obtaining a licence are stated in the Health Personnel Act, section 49.

Applicants with foreign dentistry educational qualifications

Applicants with qualifications as dentist acquired abroad are subject to the condition that such foreign degree is acknowledged as professionally equivalent to Norwegian qualifications. It is a requirement that all dentists educated/trained outside the EU/EEA in addition to be recognised as equivalent to the Norwegian dentist qualification, also must undertake a course in Norwegian national subjects (National Insurance Regulations, etc.) in order to qualify for authorisation in Norway. Dentist qualifications from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland and the USA are, according to SAFH’s policy, recognised as equivalent to the Norwegian dentist qualification.

Change of Policy

Applications received after June 2010 and older applications where an assessment and decision has not been met according to previous policy, will be given an individual assessment. SAFH are reviewing old and new applications in order to verify if there is sufficient documentation in each case. If SAFH find that an application is insufficiently documented, the applicant will receive a written request to provide further documentation. In some cases, external consultants will advise SAFH on what decision to make.

Course in national subjects

A course in national subjects for dentists is waiting to be established. This is expected to be completed at the earliest during the spring of 2012. SAFH will in the meantime, based on an individual assessment in each case, refer the applicant to other courses that will fulfil the requirements of the course in national subjects.

Expected processing time

Since the amount of these applications is substantial, an average processing time of minimum six months is unfortunately to be expected.

Applicants with authorisation as dentist obtained in EEA countries

Special rules for recognition as dentist apply to applicants with foreign authorisation. Norway has through the EEA Agreement and a separate Nordic agreement, entered into an agreement regarding mutual approval of authorisation, licence, and approval of specialists accorded in other Nordic countries. In these cases, no assessment is made as to whether such qualification is commensurate with Norwegian qualifications. For other EEA citizens, authorisation is granted provided the applicant can present a diploma or testimonial referred to in Council Directive 78/686/EEC and 78/687/EEC.

Application for authorisation
Application for authorisation on formal application form are submitted to SAFH.

Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training
Application for Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training is to be sent to The Norwegian Dental Association.