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Diploma in Hygiene and Therapy Written Paper

Exam overview

The Diploma in Dental Hygiene (DipDH) and Diploma in Dental Therapy (DipDT) are qualifications for dental care professionals which allow for first registration with the GDC.

The written component will comprise three papers each of two hours duration. 

Eligibility

To be eligible to enter the diploma exams, candidates must have completed a course of study on a GDC-recognised programme (combined Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy, Dental Hygiene or Dental Therapy) and provide evidence of satisfactory completion of training signed by the course lead/head of school.

Evidence includes:

  • satisfactory result at end of first year;
  • completion of continuous assessment record in form of clinical logbook during their training;
  • completion of a project during training;
  • completion of three clinical cases suitable for the clinical case presentation by the time of examination;
  • no outstanding fitness to practice issues.

To be eligible to sit the Dental Therapy exam a candidate must have previously passed or be attempting the Dental Hygiene exam. Candidates can sit the Dental Hygiene exam without having to pass the Dental Therapy exam.

Candidates have two attempts at the exam, after this they cannot enter again.

Exam format

The written component comprises three papers (paper 1H, 1T and paper 2) each of two hours duration. There will be six compulsory questions on each paper. Each question will be marked out of 18, thus the total marks available for the combined written papers are 216.

Syllabus

The curriculum for this exam is based on the General Dental Council’s learning outcomes document Preparing for Practice.

More information

Exam Examination Date
DH/DT Written Paper
11 - 12 November 2020
DH/DT Case Presenation
8 - 9 December 2020

 Potential candidates study for the diplomas through a specific school (Eastman, Kings or Greater Manchester) and then are enrolled on the RCSEng exam. The exam is generally run twice a year at the Eastman Dental Hospital (EDH) and Kings College Dental Hospital (KCH) and once a year at the Greater Manchester School of DCPs (GMS). However, if there are re-sits this number can increase. The RCSEng (FGDP(UK)) is the awarding body for these diplomas; however the exams take place at the schools where candidates studied.

The marks for the written and clinical case presentation components will be assessed separately. Candidates will have to pass each part of the examination independently. The exams can be taken at the same time but are considered separate diplomas in their own right. The Dental Hygiene can be sat on its own, but to gain the Dental Therapy diploma you must have gained the Dental ygiene diploma.

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