Licence in Dental Surgery Part 1

Syllabus

The LDS exam assesses the outcomes in the GDC Safe Practitioner Framework. To pass the exam, you will need to demonstrate these outcomes at the level of a safe Day One BDS qualified dentist. They include:

Clinical knowledge and skills  

• Clinical knowledge and its application to patient management
• Clinical/technical skills

Interpersonal skills

• Effective communication
• Teamwork and wellbeing of others

Professionalism

• Ethics and integrity
• Leadership
• Social accountability

Self-management

• Insight
• Reflection, continued and self-directed learning
• Adaptability, wellbeing and personal growth
• Organisation and time management

The LDS syllabus shows exactly which outcomes are assessed in the LDS Part 1.

Registration process

Step 1 – complete an online booking and payment  

Eligible candidates can select an exam date from the list below. When booking opens, complete the online form and make payment on Eventbrite.

Places are limited and the booking window may close early once full.

Step 2 – complete your eligibility checks

After you’ve booked your place, scan and email your eligibility documents.

You must send all required documents within one week after you book. If we do not receive them on time, you will be withdrawn from the exam and will not receive a refund. We do not accept documents by post.

Applying for reasonable adjustments

If you need reasonable adjustments for your exam (for example due to dyslexia, disability, or a health condition), select the reasonable adjustment option in the online application form.

You must also upload a supporting report or letter from an appropriate professional (for example a psychologist, psychiatrist, doctor, or specialist service).

If this is your first time applying for that adjustment, you must email your report after booking.

We can only provide adjustments that are clearly stated in your report.

For more information, read the Reasonable Adjustment Policy.

Next steps

You will receive an admission letter containing your unique candidate number, exam date, time, duration, and other essential information at least four weeks before the exam date.

The LDS Part 1 exam is conducted via online remote testing with Surpass. Make sure to thoroughly read our guidance for taking dental exams online before the exam day.

A week before your exam, you will receive another email with a link to a step-by-step guide for checking your equipment specifications and system requirements.

If you have not received your system check email five days before your exam date, please contact us immediately at DentalSupport@rcseng.ac.uk after checking your junk folder.

Be ready to begin your device setup 30 minutes before the scheduled start time.

Results

You will receive your results by email around six weeks after your exam. This email will show your overall result.

A full breakdown of your results will then be available in your RCS England online account within two weeks of this first email. You will also receive a PDF by email at the same time.

You must pass both papers (A and B) in the same sitting to pass the LDS Part 1 exam. If you are unsuccessful, you can re-sit the exam three times, up to a maximum of four attempts overall.

Withdrawal and refund policy

If you wish to withdraw from the exam, you may or may not be entitled to a full or partial refund according to the guidelines outlined in our refund policy.

Please familiarise yourself with this policy before applying for an exam seat to ensure a smooth and easy withdrawal process.