Planning an elective?
These are exciting times. After all, planning an elective opens the doors to using your dental skills and knowledge out in the world. There’s lots you need to know and organise - including elective protection.
Most countries, including the United Kingdom (UK), will require you to have elective protection. As a Dental Protection member, we can provide you with support for your elective completely free.
To qualify, you need to make sure:
- your elective is authorised by the Dean of your university
- you have informed us that you are going on an elective before you travel
- your elective work is supervised by a qualified dental practitioner and doesn’t exceed the level of your qualifications or competence
- you are a student member of Dental Protection in one of the following countries:
- UK, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Caribbean and Bermuda, New Zealand, Singapore or Malaysia
Your elective indemnity certificate
Once you’ve applied for elective protection, your elective certificate will be posted to you within 3-5 working days. Alternatively, you can request your certificate be emailed to you by contacting us at [email protected].
You can still join Dental Protection for free while you're studying. Once you've joined you can apply for elective protection.
Useful resources
To make it easier for you, we’ve pulled together the information you need to help you make your decision and plan your elective.
Free elective protection worldwide
If you decide to carry out your elective abroad, it’s good to know that no matter where you are, we can share some useful tips to help you apply for funding and give you advice to keep your career safe . Whenever you need support during your elective, we’ll be there for you. That means you can ring our dentolegal advice line any time in an emergency.

We can even protect you in Australia. Australian law stipulates that all healthcare practitioners, including dental students, must be covered by an insurance contract while practising there. We’ve partnered with MIPS (Medical Indemnity Protection Society) to provide you with a suitable insurance arrangement. You can apply for your free student membership with them by visiting the MIPS website.
Please remember to include your Dental Protection membership number when completing the application form.
Dental electives in Australia
Are you hoping to travel to Australia for your elective? If you are, Australian legislation stipulates that all healthcare practitioners, including dental students, must be covered by an insurance contract while practising in Australia.
We have partnered with the MIPS (Medical Indemnity Protection Society) to provide you with a suitable insurance arrangement while in Australia on your elective.
You can apply for your free student membership with MIPS by visiting their website. Please remember to include your Dental Protection membership number when completing the MIPS application form.
14 Feb 2023
If you’re a Dental Protection member then you are already eligible for the best possible professional protection during your elective.
14 Feb 2023
Our elective protection is completely FREE.
14 Feb 2023
We can offer 24/7 advice and support, but if you are able to travel, you’ll need to arrange appropriate travel insurance separately that provides you with personal injury cover whilst living and working abroad.
14 Feb 2023
Whatever the location of your elective, get in touch as soon as your host has confirmed your placement.
14 Feb 2023
All we need is:
- the dates of your elective
- the country or location you'll be going to.
14 Feb 2023
We will provide you with a membership certificate that will reflect your elective work.
14 Feb 2023
Yes, as long as they are a Dental Protection member and meet our elective criteria. Each classmate will need to apply individually for their elective protection.
14 Feb 2023
You will need to join Dental Protection to apply for our elective protection. Just click the button below and fill out the application form.