To be eligible for the award of the diploma all candidates must :

• possess a primary dental qualification that is acceptable to the Council of The Royal College of Surgeons of England;

• have complied with all the regulations, and have signed, in the presence of an officer of the College, a declaration of compliance with the ordinances of the College.

Exemptions

The College will consider equivalence for Part A where a candidate has completed another Certificate, Diploma or Masters in Special Care Dentistry. If successful, the candidate will be eligible to sit Part B directly.

For April 2020

(NB this is for candidates who have started the DSCD programme under the previous DSCD Part A module assignments system and have completed and passed four of the seven module assignments):

Written paper consisting of 70 single best answer (SBA) questions mapped to the following three modules of the curriculum:

5. Provision of Comprehensive Oral Care;

6. Developing Services in a Community Setting;

7. Clinical Effectiveness.

From April 2021 onwards

Written paper consisting of 140 single best answer (SBA) questions mapped to the seven modules of the curriculum:

1. Oral Sciences of Relevance;

2. Knowledge & Understanding of Conditions leading to Impairment & Disabilities;

3. Behavioural Sciences & Sociology of Health, Impairment & Disability;

4. Law, Ethics and Health & Safety;

5. Provision of Comprehensive Oral Care;

6. Developing Services in a Community Setting;

7. Clinical Effectiveness.

Candidates sitting the new Part A examination for the first time must also sit Part B at the same sitting. Candidates have to pass both parts to be awarded the Diploma in Special Care Dentistry.