On 23 June 2016, the United Kingdom (UK) voted to leave the European Union (EU)—an epoch-defining decision that reverberated across every profession, including dentistry. In the lead-up to the referendum, Mick Armstrong, chair of the British Dental Association(BDA)’s Principal Executive Committee, made clear that the BDA would not campaign either way.1 Now, as the nation approaches the culmination of negotiations under Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, dental professionals face a transformed landscape in regulation, research, workforce mobility, and funding.2

During the two-year Article 50 window, the UK remains bound by existing EU treaties but excluded from new policy-making.3 Practitioners and policymakers alike worry that this truncated timetable may not suffice to craft comprehensive agreements on trade, immigration, data sharing, and professional recognition. A “no-deal” exit carries the gravest risk: abrupt severance from the EU could trigger supply chain disruptions for dental materials and devices, delay regulatory approvals, and destabilize established cross-border collaborations.

Research and education are two domains where the post-Brexit terrain appears especially fraught. UK-based clinical trials and laboratory science have long benefited from EU frameworks such as Horizon 2020. Should access to these programs shrink, research budgets may tighten—and innovation pipelines could slow. Equally concerning is the prospect of restricted movement for EU students and academics. Attracting top-tier talent has fueled the excellence of British dental schools and research centres; any decline in mobility threatens the vibrancy of academic discourse and the pipeline of future clinicians.

Regulatory realignment will demand proactive engagement from the profession. Dental teams can expect revisions to workforce registration, employment law, data protection, and the approval pathways for medical and dental devices. Each regulatory instrument underpins clinical governance and patient safety, so even minor missteps during the transition phase risk undermining the standard of care. The BDA’s pledge to represent dentists’ interests in Westminster and Brussels is therefore vital to safeguard seamless regulation and uninterrupted patient services.

Amid these challenges, there lies a clear opportunity for unity and leadership. The dental community must engage in constructive dialogue with government negotiators, professional bodies, and industry partners. By articulating evidence-based priorities—securing mutual recognition of qualifications, preserving research funding channels, and ensuring continuity of supply chains—dentists can shape policies that protect patients and practitioners alike.

Looking ahead, preparation is the watchword. Dental practices should review supply agreements for materials and devices, update protocols to align with evolving data-privacy rules, and seek clarity on the status of EU-trained staff. Academic institutions can fortify international partnerships by exploring bilateral research grants and exchange schemes outside the EU framework. Above all, collective advocacy—rooted in clear, patient-centred arguments—will be crucial to influence the final deal.

Brexit presents dentistry in the UK with both formidable hurdles and a chance to reaffirm its commitment to excellence. Through collaboration, strategic foresight, and steadfast representation, the profession can navigate this period of change and emerge stronger—continuing to deliver world-class dental care and drive scientific progress in a new European context.

https://doi.org/10.5051/jpis.2016.46.3.135