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Examinations and Assessments

Dental examinations – Important announcement

Examinations and assessments

The Faculty of Dental Surgery supports professionals throughout each stage of their career in dentistry with education, exams, and awards and scholarships.

In taking our exams you will join our community of inspiring health professionals working towards excellence in patient care through Continuing Professional Development.

We conduct exams in Glasgow, other parts of the UK and internationally. Please check each examination for location details.

MFDS

What is the MFDS?

The Award of the Diploma of Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (MFDS) is an internationally recognised qualification that entitles you to become a member of a UK Royal College. The exam is in two parts. These can be taken in Glasgow or at one of many UK or international locations.

  • MFDS Part 1 can be taken after graduating with the relevant primary qualification.
  • MFDS Part 2 exam can be taken after passing Part 1 and completing 12 months’ postgraduate experience in clinical dentistry. Once candidates pass Part 2, they will be entitled to use the internationally recognised post-nominal letters MFDS RCPS(Glasg).
Our MDFS Part 1 and MFDS Part 2 Exam and Revision Package incorporate revision material, sample questions and Affiliate Membership to the Faculty of Dental Surgery.

You can apply by clicking on the buttons below.

MFDS Part 1

MFDS Part 2

FAQs and enquiries

Who offers the MFDS?

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh collaborate on this examination and have produced a single set of regulations for the two Colleges. Candidates may enter through only one College for any particular diet.

The MFDS examination is a different examination to those offered by the Royal College of Surgeons of England or the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

What is the format of the examination?

There are two parts to the MFDS examination – Part 1 and Part 2.
From April 2020, the examination diet format of the MDFS Part 1 examination will be revised and comprise 180 single best answer questions. The duration of the paper is three hours. The Part 1 examination stands alone, candidates being awarded either a pass or a fail. Part 2 consists of an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) totalling two hours’ duration. Candidates will be awarded either a pass or a fail. There is no requirement to submit a portfolio.

When does the examination take place?

Each part of the examination is held at least twice a year. In the UK Part 1 is normally held in April and October, and Part 2 is normally held in May and November. Full details of examination dates and centres can be found here.

Is the examination held overseas as well as in the UK?

Yes, subject to demand. The Part 1 examination is held in our centres in Chennai, Dharwad, Dubai, Muscat and Tripoli. The Part 2 examination will be held subject to sufficient numbers to ensure viability. Full details of examination dates and centres can be found on here.

What are the eligibility requirements for the examination?

For Part 1 you must be in possession of a primary dental qualification acceptable to the Councils of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
For Part 2 you must have written confirmation of a pass at Part 1 or must qualify for an exemption from Part 1. Candidates must also provide evidence of completion of 12 months’ experience in clinical dentistry before the closing date for entry to the Part 2 examination they wish to sit.

Can the experience I gained during my overseas internship be counted as part of the required 12 months’ postgraduate experience?

Yes, but only if your internship took place after graduation and only if you have completed the required 12 months’ postgraduate experience by the closing date for applications.

Can I apply to sit Part 1 and Part 2 at the same time?

No. You must receive written confirmation of a pass at Part 1 before applying to sit Part 2. For example, if you sit and pass Part 1 in an October diet, then the earliest you can sit Part 2 would be in the next diet in May of the following year.

What is contained in the syllabus for the MFDS examination?

Details of the syllabus are available as part of the Regulations document available here to download.

Are there preparatory courses and study guides available for the examinations?

There is a reading list here. The College has created MDFS Part 1 Revision Modules, a comprehensive overview of key areas of the exam. Candidates can also access an online Preparatory Question Bank consisting of over 100 sample questions. Our Part 1 Revision Savings incorporates access to both, and includes Affiliate Membership.

Is the MFDS examination required for entry to the Dental Specialty Membership Examinations?

No. However, MFDS or equivalent is usually required for entry into approved specialty training programmes in the UK.

Specialty Membership Examinations

What are Specialty Membership Examinations?

The following exams are for dentists who wish to progress in their chosen specialty. Following successful completion of the specialty exams, registered dentists will be entitled to use the specialty post-nominal to demonstrate expertise in their field.

Click on your chosen specialty for details of exam locations and contact information.

On successful completion of a specialty diploma, dentists can choose to join the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow as a Member.


Tri-Collegiate examinations

The College's Dental Faculty collaborates with the Dental Faculties of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons in Edinburgh and England in the running of tri-collegiate specialty membership examinations. These examinations are administered by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, on behalf of all three Colleges. These examinations are open to candidates within UK training programmes. Applications should be sent directly to the administering College - further information is available via the links provided below.

On successful completion, candidates have the option to join our College as a Member of the dental faculty. Candidates must indicate on their exam application form that they wish to join the Glasgow College. Details of the range of benefits available as a member of our College can be found here.

Membership in Special Care Dentistry

The Membership in Special Care Dentistry (M Spec Care Dent) is intended to test the candidate’s knowledge, understanding, skills, and attitudes relevant to the practice of a Specialist in Special Care Dentistry. The exam aims to allow the candidate to demonstrate a core knowledge of Special Care Dentistry and to demonstrate a level of competence in the planning and delivery of Special Care Dentistry.

Membership in Special Care Dentistry

Membership in Paediatric Dentistry

The Membership in Paediatric Dentistry (M Paed Dent) is intended to test the candidate’s knowledge, skills and attitude relevant to the practice of a Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry. The exam aims to allow the candidate to demonstrate a core knowledge and understanding of the principles and practice of Paediatric Dentistry and to demonstrate a level of competence in the planning and delivery of Paediatric Dentistry.

Membership In Paediatric Dentistry

Membership in Oral Surgery

The Membership in Oral Surgery (M Oral Surgery) is intended to test the candidate’s knowledge, skills and attitude relevant to the practice of a Specialist in Oral Surgery. The exam aims to allow the candidate to demonstrate a core knowledge and understanding of the principles and practice of Oral Surgery and the planning and delivery of Oral Surgery.

Membership In Oral Surgery


Bi-Collegiate examinations

The College's Dental Faculty collaborates with the Dental Faculty of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in the running of bi-collegiate specialty membership examinations. These examinations are administered by the Royal College of Surgeons of England, on behalf of both Colleges. Applications should be sent directly to the administering College - further information is available via the links provided below.

On successful completion, candidates have the option to join our College as a Member of the dental faculty. Candidates must indicate on their exam application form that they wish to join the Glasgow College. Details of the range of benefits available as a member of our College can be found here.

Membership in Endodontics/Periodontics/Prosthodontics

The Membership in Endodontics, Membership in Periodontics and Membership in Prosthodontics (M Endo, M Perio and M Prostho) is recognised as the end point of training in one of the mono-specialties of restorative dentistry, i.e. endodontics; fixed and removable prosthodontics; periodontics. Candidates will identify which one of these specialties will be their chosen subject when applying for the Examination.

The exam is intended to test the candidates’ knowledge and understanding relevant to the practice of a Specialist in the relevant specialty area. The exam will assess the candidate’s understanding of diagnosis and treatment planning over a wide range of problems in Restorative Dentistry.

Membership In Endodontics/Periodontics/Prosthodontics

Membership in Orthodontics

The Membership in Orthodontics (M Orth) is designed to test whether candidates have reached a level of knowledge and competency relevant to the practice of a Specialist in Orthodontics. The exam is intended to test the candidates’ understanding of diagnosis and treatment planning over a wide range of problems in orthodontics and allow them to demonstrate a high level of expertise in carrying out Orthodontic treatment.

The examination is held in London, UK and Chennai, India. Individuals sitting the examination in Chennai will automatically join our College as a Member, once successful. Candidates should submit their application to the Royal College of Surgeons of England for UK exams and to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow for exams held in Chennai, India.

Membership in Orthodontics - UK candidates

Membership in Orthodontics - International candidates

Intercollegiate Specialty Fellowship Examinations

What are Intercollegiate Specialty Fellowship Examinations?

Award of the Diploma of Fellowship in a specific specialty indicates that a candidate has attained the knowledge and experience, as well as satisfied the necessary training programme requirements, to proceed to practice independently as a consultant within their specialty.

The following exams are for specialists wishing to practise as a consultant in dental surgery. Click below for exam dates.

Dental Public Health

Oral Medicine

Oral Surgery

Orthodontics

Paediatric Dentistry

Restorative Dentistry

Successful candidates may join the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.


Helping with your exams

MFDS Part 1 Revision Savings

The MFDS Part 1 Revision Savings incorporates access to our MFDS Part 1 online revision material, over 100 sample questions, and Affiliate Membership while you work towards your exam.

View the package

MFDS Part 2 Exam and Revision package

When applying to sit the MFDS Part 2 exam you are able to make use of the discounted package option which includes the examination, preparation course and affiliate membership while preparing for the exam

View the package

Become an Examiner

Our network of examiners are involved in writing question banks, exam scenarios, examining and assessment. Vacancies on our panels are advertised throughout the year on the website.

Find out more


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