Dentists are reminded that the closing date for applications for the first exams of the revised MFDS (Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery) and the 10 new Dental Specialty Fellowship Examinations is fast approaching. Candidates wishing to sit the exams in October must submit their application by Thursday 16 July 2026 12pm (midday) GMT.
A joined-up approach to assessment
The new examinations were launched earlier this year by the Dental Examinations Executive which is comprised of representatives from the three UK Surgical Royal Colleges (Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh, Royal College of Surgeons England, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow). The new and revised examinations will offer a joined-up approach to assessment and provide a clearer training pathway for all specialties.
The examinations form one key part of the UK dental career journey, providing independent evidence of progression, mapped to the General Dental Council (GDC) curricula, and used alongside other evidence, such as workplace-based assessments, in determining career progression.
MFDS is designed to assess the competence of a GDC-registered dentist practicing at the level of a Dental Core Trainee completing the third year of training, and provides a recognised gateway for entry into dental specialty training.
The new specialty examinations replace a historic patchwork of examinations delivered by individual Colleges. They will assess competence at the standard expected of a dental specialist seeking entry to the GDC Specialist List.
Both assessments lead to membership or fellowship of one or more Royal Colleges and provide robust evidence of the level of competence achieved at key stages of a dentist’s professional career.
Closing date for applications for the October exams
The MFDS examinations will include a Part 1 written and a Part 2 Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).
The first Part 1 exam of the revised MFDS will be held on 28 October 2026 at assessment centres in Birmingham, Glasgow, London and Manchester. Part 2, an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), will take place in March 2027 and the application window will open later this year. Dentists who are interested in applying for Part 1 of the revised MFDS in October should note that the closing date for the examinations is Thursday 16 July 12pm (midday) GMT, or earlier if capacity is reached.
The new specialty examinations will also have two parts. Part 1 for all specialties, with the exception of Dental Public Health, will be a Single Best Answer (SBA) format. Dental Public Health Part 1 will assess a candidate’s critical appraisal skills. Part 2 will involve face-to-face Clinical Structured Orals (with assessment of a portfolio and management questions for Dental Public Health).
Part 1 of the specialty exams in October will be held in assessment centres in Birmingham, Glasgow, London and Manchester. Part 2 of the examinations will be held face-to-face during early 2027 and applications will open later in the year. Applications for Part 1 of the specialty exams in October will also close on Thursday 16 July 12pm (midday) GMT, or earlier if capacity is reached.
To find out more about the new examinations, eligibility criteria and to apply, candidates should visit the Dental Examinations Executive website.
Got a question about the new dental exams?
To help dentists understand why the exams are changing, how the new exams are structured, and to answer some of the most common questions, dentists can listen to a recorded audio interview between Professor Sondos Albadri (Chairperson for the Dental Specialty Fellowship Exams), Grant McIntyre (Dean for Dental Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh) and Fiona Winter (Director of Education and Assessment, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow).
The audio interview is for trainees, trainers, examiners and others to hear more about the rationale and structure of the new Dental Specialty Fellowship Examinations. The interview covers topics including: what does the exam look like, what it feels like on the day of the exam, how the exams are quality assured, and some frequently asked questions.
To listen to the recorded Question & Answer interview, visit the Dental Examinations Executive website.
To provide further support to dentists, the Dental Examinations Executive will be hosting online drop-in sessions for prospective candidates to ask questions about the new examinations.
Prospective candidates can register for a drop-in session and ask questions about the application process or any general questions they may have about the examinations and their arrangements. Suggested topics that prospective candidates may wish to ask about include, but are not limited to:
- Identification requirements
- Application documents
- Exam eligibility
- Qualification reciprocity
- General exam arrangements
Drop-in sessions are available on the following dates and times:
- Tuesday 14 July 17.30 to 18.30
- Wednesday 12 August 12.30 to 13.30
- Tuesday 22 September 17.30 to 18.30
To register for a drop-in session or to apply for the new MFDS or Dental Specialty Fellowship Examinations, visit the Dental Examinations Executive website.