MFDS Part 1

Overview

MFDS Part 1 is a written examination that assesses the applied clinical knowledge and understanding expected of a dental graduate entering core training or early-stage general dental practice.

It is the first step towards achieving membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.

The syllabus for the MFDS examination is defined in the Dental Foundation Training Curriculum.

Sit your exam with us

By booking your MFDS exams through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, you’ll gain exclusive access to a range of valuable benefits.

Personalised candidate support

Personalised guidance from our examinations team
Access to preparation materials and key candidate resources

Professional recognition

Progression toward membership of the College (MFDS)
Respected benchmark of clinical knowledge for early career dentists

Step toward career development

Builds a strong foundation for specialist training and further qualifications
Supports your progression within the dental profession

Membership of the College

Candidates who have passed Part 1 can progress to MFDS Part 2. On passing Part 2, you will be invited to proceed to admission to the College. You can view information on our membership categories and see the benefits offered on our membership pages.

Content

To apply for MFDS Part 1, candidates must:

Hold a primary dental qualification recognised by the General Dental Council (GDC) in the UK or that is acceptable to the Colleges.
Candidates do not need to be registered with the GDC to sit the exam.

Location: Online

Closing date: 15 July 2025
Examination date: 7 October 2025
Fee: £570
Apply now

Follow these steps to apply for your MFDS Part 1 exam through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow:

Create or log in to your College account
– Register through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow online portal.
Select MFDS Part 1 from available examinations
– Choose the exam diet you wish to apply for from the list above and click 'Apply now' to be taken to the online portal login page. Enter your email and password to begin your application.
Submit your application
– Complete all required fields and upload any supporting documents.
Make payment
– Pay the exam fee securely online.
Confirmation
– You will receive a confirmation email and further instructions once your application has been processed.

MFDS Part 1 examinations are delivered online.
The College may either cancel an examination centre if there are insufficient candidates or restrict numbers should this be necessary.
Fees are correct at the time of publication. The College reserves the right to amend these fees in advance of the closing date.
In the event that the College has to cancel an examination or restrict numbers, the examination fee shall be reimbursed, but the College shall incur no further liability.

Documentation

Before applying for this examination, ensure you have read and understood the documentation and regulations below. Some of these documents may have changed since the last time you read them.