How to Work and Immigrate to Qatar as a Dentist?

As work prospects emerge, Qatar is rising as an attractive career destination for dentistry professionals. Yet, with the new opportunities, the politics of Qatar is shifting. As you probably know, recent political changes have occurred in the Gulf countries. A few years ago, a BDS graduate might easily enter the Gulf countries, but it has gotten harder to prove yourself eligible. Nevertheless, Continue reading our article to learn “How to immigrate to Qatar as a dentist?”

In a nutshell, whether you are a general or specialty dentist wishing to practice academically or clinically in Qatar, you must pass the country/emirate eligibility exams before being awarded a license to practice dentistry.

How to Immigrate to Qatar as a Dentist?

There are numerous stages you can take if you want to immigrate to Qatar as a dentist:

1. Examine the eligibility requirements. The beginning step is to determine whether you meet the Qatar government’s eligibility requirements. Age, education, work experience, language competency, and other variables may be considered.
2. Get a license. A license is required to practice as a dentist in Qatar. You must present documentation of your qualifications and job experience and pass a qualifying exam.
3. Look for a job. You can begin seeking work in Qatar once you have gotten your license. You can look for jobs on online job boards or call healthcare recruitment companies.
4. Obtain a work visa. Your employer will be responsible for obtaining a work visa on your behalf. You must submit supporting documentation, including your passport, medical records, and a police clearance certificate.
5. Make arrangements for accommodation. You will need to make arrangements for housing before arriving in Qatar. Your work may supply you with housing, or you may hunt for housing on your own.
6. Prepare for moving. You can begin preparing for the transfer after your work visa has been issued. It could involve selling or storing your belongings, making travel and transit arrangements, and saying farewell to family and friends.

It should be noted that the immigration process might be complicated and time-consuming. You may hire an experienced immigration lawyer or consultant to assist you with the procedure.

Are you Eligible to Immigrate to Qatar as a Dentist?

The act of validating the credibility of your qualifications and credentials from the source, such as the granting institution or licensing organization, is known as primary source verification (PSV). PSV is a crucial part of the healthcare sector, as proper credential verification is required to maintain patient safety.

For healthcare professionals, Qatar has a stringent PSV process that demands the validation of work experience, licenses, and all qualifications. The QCHP, or Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners, is the country’s regulatory authority in charge of licensing health professionals. Therefore, QCHP oversees the entire procedure.

Healthcare practitioners who seek to practice in Qatar must submit their credentials for verification to the QCHP. The QCHP next contacts the issuing institutions to confirm the documents’ legitimacy. When the verification procedure is over, the QCHP offers a PSV certificate, which validates that the individual’s credentials are genuine and matches the conditions for practicing in Qatar.

All healthcare professionals in Qatar are subject to the PSV process, including doctors, pharmacists, dentists, nurses, and allied health professionals. The procedure is intended to guarantee that only certified, competent professionals are permitted to practice nationwide, ensuring patient safety and well-being.

Read this PDF to learn more about the Registration/Evaluation Process.

What are the Required Documents for Qatar Primary Source Verification?

• Transcript of Records. The Transcript of Records (TOR) from your local board exam can be utilized; just ensure you have all the pages, including the RLE record. If you don’t have one, you can work with your school to figure out how to get one. While you’re at it, request it to be DFA Authenticated (Red Ribbon) because you can’t file by sending your school records directly from your hand. Your school should only forward it.
• Working experience. The minimum requirement is two (2) years. If you are a recent graduate, you may be excluded from submitting a work experience certificate, but the chances are really low.
• A colored passport-sized photo
• A copy of your passport
• Letter of authorization for Qatar prometric exam. You can download this after your online application, where you must download a file, sign it, scan it, and submit it.
• Evidence of professional registration in your country.

Note: Scan all papers. Be sure you have thoroughly scanned your papers. Otherwise, they may email you stating that you must submit it again since certain key parts (such as the registrar’s signature) are missing.

How to Obtain a License as a Dentist in Qatar?

Now we will answer the question, How can I get a dentist license in Qatar? To practice and immigrate to Qatar as a dentist, you must first pass the Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners (QCHP) test administered by the Department of Healthcare Professions (DHP). It is one of the conditions for healthcare practitioners’ registration/licensing.

As mentioned, the QCHP is the regulatory authority in Qatar in charge of licensing and regulating healthcare practitioners. The QCHP is overseen by the Ministry of Public Health and ensures that healthcare practitioners satisfy the needed levels of competence and ethical behavior.

International dentists must have a recognized main degree (BDS or equivalent) from an approved health science institution, have finished the internship program, and have 2 years of clinical experience to apply for the QCHP DHP test.

Note: If you do not have this experience, you can practice as a trainee dentist until you complete the clinical experience period. After that, you can apply for the QCHP DHP test and get a full license as a “General Dentist.” The Supreme Council of Health (SCH) of Qatar issues a provisional license to trainee dentists without an examination.

What are the Requirements to Obtain a License as a Dentist in Qatar?

Let’s go into detail about the requirements:

• Education Requirements. Not less than five years of undergraduate dental school (DDS/BDS/DMD or its equivalent) is required.
• Experience Requirements. After completing an undergraduate degree, you must have at least two years of experience.
  • If you have completed 5 years of undergraduate education, the internship will count as experience.
  • If the undergraduate study took less than five years, internship programs would be included as part of the education.
• Qualifying Exam (Prometric)

The Qatar Prometric Exam is a tool used to examine the competency of healthcare professionals who want to work in Qatar. Prometric, a global leader in testing and assessment services, will administer the exam.

The Qatar Prometric Test is required for all dentists seeking licenses in Qatar. The test is intended to examine applicants’ knowledge, skills, and abilities in their particular professions and to guarantee that they fulfill the Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners’ criteria of competence (QCHP).

The test is computer-based, with multiple-choice questions. Clinical knowledge, medical ethics, and professional behavior are among the subjects covered in the test. Participants must register with Prometric and get an eligibility letter from the QCHP before taking the Qatar Prometric Test. Then, candidates must arrange their exam appointment via the Prometric website or phone center.

To immigrate to Qatar as a dentist, passing the Qatar Prometric Test is required. The test guarantees that healthcare practitioners are competent and qualified to offer safe, practical, and high-quality healthcare services.

How to Take the Qatar Prometric Exam? (Qatar Dental Licensing Exam)

The Qatar Prometric test is one of the prerequisites for healthcare practitioners’ registration/licensure.

QCHP DHP Exam Eligibility

You must have the following to apply for the examinations:

• A recognized main degree (BDS or equivalent) from a health science program that is accredited
• Completed the internship program for international dentists. (two years of clinical experience.)

If you do not have this experience, you can work as a trainee dentist until you complete the clinical experience term, after which you can take the QCHP DHP test and reapply for your full license as a “General Dentist.” The Supreme Council of Health (SCH) of Qatar issues a provisional license to trainee dentists without an examination.

Exam Pattern

The test consists of 150 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) that must be answered in 3.5 hours.

Pass Marks ​

After finishing the exam, you will be given a score report. For QCHP exams, the pass mark is fixed at 60%. The test can be taken up to three times in one calendar year.

Total Number of Exam Attempts

An applicant may apply for the licensing examination three times in a row, including earlier examination attempts, if the efforts are made within three years of the first try. If the candidate fails the first three times, they will be forced to complete a six-month re-training session and produce proof of completion.

Following the re-training time, the candidate may be authorized to re-appear for the licensing test for two further tries, provided that they are completed within two years of the date of re-training completion.

QCHP DHP Subjects

QCHP DHP Exam Break or Gap in Practice

If you have had a pause or break in practice and have not kept yourself active in clinical practice for +2 years but less than 5 years, a 6-month supervised practice/Clinical Attachment is advised to be eligible for examinations.

Exemptions for the Qatar Qualifying exams

• Qatari practitioners.
• Dentists with a Postgraduate Degree who have completed at least two years of study and whose study program includes the appropriate approved practical hours and clinical experience.

How to Find a Dentist Job in Qatar?

There are several options for finding a dental job in Qatar:

• Platforms for internet job search. Try out employment search websites like Bayt.com, GulfTalent.com, and Indeed.com. You may look for dental jobs in Qatar on these websites, which feature job ads from various industries, including healthcare.
• Hospitals and dental clinics. Visit the websites of Qatar’s dental clinics and hospitals. Hamad Medical Company, the Dental Center of Qatar Airways Medical Center, and Al Ahli Hospital are a few instances. You may also contact them directly to ask about available positions.
• Recruitment agencies. In Qatar, various recruiting firms may assist you in finding a career as a dentist. Charterhouse Qatar, Huxley Associates, and Michael Page are a few examples.
• Networks for professionals. Joining professional networks, including the Qatar Dental Society or the Qatar Medical Association, might help you interact with other industry experts and possibly learn about career prospects.
• Referrals. Inform your friends, coworkers, and acquaintances that you are seeking to immigrate to Qatar as a dentist. Recommendations are frequently the source of career possibilities.

Remember to prepare for any interviews by having a well-crafted CV and cover letter that showcases your qualifications and experience as a dentist. Best wishes for your career quest!

Apply for a Qatar Work Visa

Now that you know how to become a dentist in Qatar, it is time to talk about visas. To immigrate to Qatar as a dentist, you will definitely need a job offer and a Qatar work visa. You can read our article about the process of getting a Qatar work visa to have a successful visa application.

How Much Money Does a Dentist Make in Qatar?

A Dentist in Qatar normally makes roughly 35,100 QAR per month. Wages range between 18,200 QAR and 53,700 QAR.

In terms of experience:

• Dentists with less than two years of experience may expect to earn around 20,700 QAR per month.
• Dentists with two to five years of experience are estimated to earn 27,800 QAR monthly.
• Dentists with an experience level of five to ten years earn a monthly pay of 36,100 QAR.
• Dentists with ten to fifteen years of experience get a monthly salary of 43,700 QAR.
• If you have fifteen to twenty years of experience, you can expect to earn 47,800 QAR a month.
• Dentists with more than twenty years of work experience get 50,300 QAR per month, which is 5% higher than those with fifteen to twenty years of experience.

Gender should not have an impact on compensation, but it does. So, who makes more money: men or women? On average, men dentists in Qatar make 8% more than their female colleagues.

What are the Benefits of Dentist Jobs in Qatar?

Working as a dentist in Qatar has various advantages, including:

• The possibility of tax-free salary. Dentists in Qatar might get tax-free income. Thus their whole compensation can go directly into their pockets.
• High-paying jobs. Qatar has a good level of living; hence dentists in Qatar may make a high salary.
• Modern Facilities. Qatar has made significant investments in its healthcare infrastructure, so dentists in Qatar have access to contemporary and cutting-edge facilities.
• Professional advancement. Qatar promotes professional growth. Thus dentists in Qatar have the opportunity to attend programs, workshops, and seminars to help them improve their skills and knowledge.
• Multicultural setting. Because Qatar is a cosmopolitan country, dentists practicing there will have the chance to deal with patients from various backgrounds and cultures, obtaining significant experience in cross-cultural communication and patient care.
• Generous advantages. Health insurance paid yearly leave, other perks like housing and transportation allowances, and free flights home are common advantages for dentists in Qatar.

Overall, working as a dentist in Qatar may be a financially and professionally rewarding experience, with opportunities for personal and professional growth in a varied and modern setting.

Let’s Recap the Process of immigrating to Qatar as a Dentist

To summarize, moving to Qatar as a dentist can be a difficult but rewarding experience. It is critical to satisfy the qualifying standards and have the required documentation in order. You must get a job offer from a Qatari employer and then apply for a work visa. It may take some time, but it is feasible to begin a new profession and life in Qatar with the proper preparation and dedication. Like any overseas migration, researching and understanding Qatar’s cultural differences and conventions is essential to adjust and prosper in the new environment.

FAQ

Can I work as a dentist in Qatar?

Qatari public hospitals are seeking dentists with specialties.

What is a Qatar prometric exam?

The Qatar Prometric Exam is one of the prerequisites healthcare professionals must satisfy to receive a QCHP license.

How much is the salary of a dentist in Qatar?

A dentist in Qatar typically earns about 35,100 QAR per month.