Because of concern about the communication skills of dentists from countries of the European Economic Community wishing to practice in England, a project was undertaken to develop a pilot test of English language skills focusing on listening and speaking skills in dental practice contexts. This report consists of two proposals for developing pilot tests of foreign dentists' English skills in response to findings concerning the problems of dentist-patient communication in general practice and dental hospitals. The first proposal examines methods of devising a test sensitive to the language user's capacity to use appropriate skills in authentic contexts, specifying minimum prerequisites and limits for such a measure. The second proposal discusses the possibility of adapting a currently-used test for the medical profession, examines the issue of objectivity in testing communication skills, and suggests a period of induction into the British dental practice experience during which the foreign dentist would be assessed as well as oriented. (MSE)