Examinations for dental professionals
Our Faculty of Dental Surgery is dedicated to supporting you throughout your career as a dentist.
Whether you're going into general or specialist practice, as the UK’s only multidisciplinary Royal College, you’ll benefit from joining a community of international healthcare professionals who work together to deliver the best in patient care.
As a Member of the College, you’ll benefit from up to 40% off courses and conferences, free and discounted Digital Learning modules, as well as a range of benefits to support you in your dental career.
Our examination centres are based in Glasgow, throughout the UK and in a selection of countries around the world.
MFDS
What is the MFDS?
The Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery Diploma, or, MFDS for short, is an internationally recognised qualification that entitles you to become a member of a UK Royal College. The exam is in two parts – which can both be completed with us.
The MFDS is a key part of advancing your dental career and pursuing opportunities such as specialist training.
How does the MFDS work?
The MFDS is split into two parts. Whether you’re looking to work in primary or secondary care, the MFDS takes you beyond your foundation training curriculum and sets you up for progression into specialist practice.
MFDS Part 1: This can be taken by dental graduates after they've completed their primary dental qualification (degree level) at university.
MFDS Part 2: This exam can be taken after passing Part 1, or one of the specified exempting qualifications, and completing 12 months postgraduate experience in clinical dentistry. Once candidates pass Part 2 and join the College, they’ll be entitled to practise dentistry using the internationally recognised post-nominal letters: MFDS RCPS(Glasg).
The MFDS goes beyond your foundation training curriculum and demonstrates you have the required knowledge to enter specialist practice.
Our MDFS Part 1 and MFDS Part 2 Exam and Revision Packages incorporate revision material, sample questions and include free affiliate membership to the Faculty of Dental Surgery.
Why should I do the MFDS Exam with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow?
No matter where you intend to practise dentistry, the College is here to support your career.
Our exam support and membership benefits are tailored to where you are – from dental graduates to those looking at the next stage of general or specialist practice.
MFDS FAQs
Who offers the MFDS?
The joint dental faculties at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh work together to produce a single set of regulations for the two Colleges. These rules aim to ensure that candidates have the necessary clinical competence to be awarded the MFDS.
The MFDS examination offered by Glasgow and Edinburgh is a different to what is 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 exam – Part 1 and Part 2. The MFDS Part 1 examination is a single written paper completed online over three hours. The MFDS Part 2 consists of an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) which lasts two hours and is delivered face-to -face. For each part, candidates will be awarded either a pass or a fail. There is no requirement to submit a portfolio.
When do the MFDS exams take place?
Each part of the MFDS exam is held at least twice a year. The MFDS Part 1 is normally held in April and October in the UK and internationally. The MFDS Part 2 is normally held in May and November in the UK. Full details can be found on the MFDS Part 1 and 2 overview pages.
Is the Part 2 examination held internationally as well as in the UK?
Yes, but it's subject to demand. Full details of examination dates and centres can be found on the MFDS Part 1 and 2 overview pages.
What are the eligibility requirements for the MFDS exam?
For the MFDS Part 1 you need to have a primary dental qualification (degree level) acceptable to the Councils of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
For the MFDS Part 2 you need to submit evidence of a pass at Part 1 or show you qualify for one of a specified list of exemptions. Candidates also need to provide evidence they’ve completed 12 months primary or secondary care experience in clinical dentistry before the closing date of the MFDS Part 2 exam they wish to sit.
What primary dental qualification is acceptable?
In the UK, this is a bachelor's degree such as a BDS or BChD. If you're looking to complete either your MFDS exam or a specialist qualification with an international degree, our Membership team can help you find out if you're eligible. UK-based dental graduates are required to register with the General Dental Council (GDC) before they can start the MFDS exam process, i.e. be on the current UK dentists’ registry.
Can the experience I gained during my international internship be counted as part of the required 12 months postgraduate experience?
Yes, but only if your internship took place after your graduation from your primary dental qualification and only if you've 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?
Unfortunately, no. You need to receive written confirmation that you have passed Part 1 before applying to sit Part 2. For example, if you sit and pass Part 1 in October, then the earliest you can sit Part 2 would be in the next diet in May of the following year.
What areas are covered in the MFDS examination?
Our regulations document contains details of what you need to know.
Are there prep courses and study guides available for the examinations?
As well as our reading list the College has created the MDFS Part 1 Revision Modules, a comprehensive overview of key areas of the exam. Addiontally, candidates can also buy an online Preparatory Question Bank consisting of over 100 sample questions. Our Part 1 Revision Savings incorporates access to both, and includes free Affiliate Membership.
Is the MFDS examination required for entry to the Dental Specialty Membership Examinations?
No. However, a MFDS or equivalent is usually required for entry into approved specialty training programmes in the UK.
Specialty Membership Examinations
What are Specialty Membership Examinations?
These exams allow dentists to progress in their chosen specialty. Following successful completion of your specialty exam, and once you have joined the College, registered dentists will be entitled to use the specialty postnominal to demonstrate expertise in your field.
Recent graduates are encouraged to complete the MFDS before considering specialist training.
Successful completion of a specialty diploma allows you to join the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow as a Member.
Tri-Collegiate examinations
Our Faculty of Dental Surgery collaborates with the dental faculties of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons in Edinburgh and England to run the tri-collegiate specialty membership examinations. These examinations are administered by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, on behalf of all three Colleges and are open to candidates within UK training programmes.
Candidates who complete these exams can join our College as a Member – simply mark on your registration document that you want to join the Glasgow College.
Membership in Special Care Dentistry
The Membership in Special Care Dentistry (M Spec Care Dent) exam is intended to test your knowledge, understanding and the communication skills needed to practice special care dentistry. The exam allows you to demonstrate a core knowledge of special care dentistry and to demonstrate a level of competence in the planning and delivery of it.
Membership in Special Care Dentistry
Membership in Paediatric Dentistry
The Membership in Paediatric Dentistry (M Paed Dent) exam is intended to test the knowledge, skills and attitude you need to practice Paediatric Dentistry. The exam allows you 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 it.
Membership In Paediatric Dentistry
Membership in Oral Surgery
The Membership in Oral Surgery (M Oral Surgery) exam is intended to test your knowledge, skills and attitude to work as a specialist in oral surgery. The exam will enable you to demonstrate a core knowledge and understanding of the principles and practice of oral surgery and the planning and delivery of it.
Bi-Collegiate examinations
Along with the Royal College of Surgeons of England, our Faculty of Dental Surgery run the bi-collegiate specialty membership exams. These examinations are administered by the Royal College of Surgeons of England, on behalf of both Colleges.
Candidates who complete these exams can join our College as a Member – simply mark on your registration document that you want to join the Glasgow College.
Membership in Endodontics/Periodontics/Prosthodontics
The Membership in Endodontics, Membership in Periodontics and Membership in Prosthodontics (M Endo, M Perio and M Prostho) exams are recognised as the final training stage in one of the mono-specialties of restorative dentistry, i.e. endodontics; fixed and removable prosthodontics and periodontics. You need to select your specialty subject when applying.
The exam is intended to test your knowledge and understanding in the relevant specialty area. The exam will assess your 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) exam is designed to test whether you have the knowledge and competency required to specialise in orthodontics. The exam is intended to test your understanding of diagnosis and treatment planning over a wide range of problems in orthodontics and allow you to demonstrate a high level of expertise in carrying out orthodontic treatment.
The examination is held in London, UK and Chennai, India. The UK exam is delivered on behalf of both Colleges by the Royal College of Surgeons of England. The exam is delivered in India by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.
Intercollegiate Specialty Fellowship Examinations
What are Intercollegiate Specialty Fellowship Examinations?
The Intercollegiate Specialty Fellowship examinations, or ISFEs, are open to candidates in recognised UK and Irish specialty training pathways. The Diploma of Fellowship in a specific specialty shows that by the end of your training programme, you have the knowledge and experience, as well as having satisfied the necessary training programme requirements, to proceed to practice independently as a consultant.
The following exams are for specialists in UK or Irish training pathways wishing to practise as a specialty consultant in dental surgery.
Successful candidates in these exams can join the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow as a Fellow and use the specialty postnominal to demonstrate expertise in their field.
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 free affiliate membership while you work towards your exam.
View the packageMFDS Part 2 exam and revision package
When applying for the MFDS Part 2 exam you can sign up for our discounted package which includes the examination, prepa course and free affiliate membership while preparing for the exam.
View the packageBecome 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.
Get in Touch
Our exam and membership teams are happy to help answer any questions you have.