Dentists can now apply online for the first diets of the revised MFDS (Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery), and the 10 new Dental Specialty Fellowship Examinations. These exams will, take place in October. These 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.
Introducing the Dental Examinations Executive
The Dental Examinations Executive is a tri‑collegiate body responsible for the development and delivery of postgraduate dental examinations on behalf of the three UK Surgical Royal Colleges.
The membership examination is designed to assess the competence of a General Dental Council (GDC)‑registered dentist practising 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 specialty fellowship examinations assess competence at the standard expected of a dental specialist seeking entry to the GDC Specialist List.
These new examinations replace a range of specialty membership and fellowship examinations delivered by individual Colleges or groupings of Colleges. By bringing the three UK Surgical Royal Colleges together, the Dental Examinations Executive delivers a consistent examination experience for all candidates, irrespective of location, training pathway, or College of affiliation.
A new generation of examinations
The Dental Deans of the three Colleges that form the Dental Examinations Executive have highlighted the strength of consistency in the exams, whereby nine of the 10 specialty examinations will follow the same format and approach, with only Dental Public Health assessing in a different way, due to the nature of this specialty. This shared approach provides greater clarity, equity and confidence within the postgraduate dental assessment landscape.
The examinations form one key part of the UK dental career journey, with the examinations providing independent evidence of progression, mapped to the GDC curricula, and used alongside other evidence, such as workplace-based assessments, in determining career progression.
The new examinations will also be available to those who are not completing a traditional training pathway with open access to sit them, both in the UK and internationally, removing obstacles to career progression. This inclusive approach will benefit those who may have taken a different path through their career.
Examination format and application - MFDS
The updated MFDS examination will be delivered in two parts.
Part 1 is an online Single Best Answer (SBA) examination and the first exam will be held on 28 October 2026 at assessment centres in Birmingham, Glasgow, London and Manchester, allowing candidates to select their preferred location. These examinations cannot be sat remotely.
Part 2 is an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), and the first exam will take place in March 2027 and the application window will open later this year. Only those who have passed Part 1 of the revised examination may apply for Part 2.
Whilst the examinations are open access, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements, priority in the initial examinations will be given to those following a UK training pathway if capacity is reached. Applications for Part 1 will open at midday on Thursday 23 April 2026 and close at midday on Thursday 16 July 2026. Applications may close earlier if examination capacity is reached.
Examination format and application – Dental Specialty Fellowship Examinations
These 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 using short form questions. Part 2 will involve face-to-face Clinical Structured Orals (with assessment of a portfolio and management questions for Dental Public Health). Part 1 must be passed before moving to Part 2.
Applications are opening for the first Part 1 exams in October, which 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. Part 1 applications open at midday on Thursday 23 April 2026, closing on Thursday 16 July 2026, or earlier if capacity is reached.
Existing MFDS and Specialty Fellowship Examinations
The UK Royal Colleges will continue to deliver their own diets of the existing MFDS, specialty membership and specialty fellowship (ISFE) exams through 2026 and early 2027. Each College grouping will determine its own eligibility and plans for the delivery of those exams, including dates and times of examinations and resits. Candidates should refer to the relevant College to understand their options.
Find out more and make an online application
To apply for the new MFDS or Dental Specialty Fellowship Examinations, applications must be submitted via the online application portal. Applicants will be required to upload relevant eligibility documents as part of the process.
To find out more about the new examinations, eligibility criteria and to apply, candidates should visit the Dental Examinations Executive website.
List of specialties to be covered by the new approach:
- Dental Public Health
- Endodontics
- Oral Medicine
- Oral Surgery
- Orthodontics
- Paediatric Dentistry
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
- Restorative Dentistry
- Special Care Dentistry
List of specialties not covered:
- Dental and Maxillofacial
- RadiologyOral and Maxillofacial Pathology
- Oral Microbiology