Licence in Dental Surgery Part 2
Exam overview
Following discussions with the General Dental Council it has been agreed that the Licence in Dental Surgery (LDS) will now be held in 3 parts, uncoupling the OSCE and USC components from the Dental Manikin component. This has been agreed in order to provide as fair and accessible assessment to candidates as possible.
Please read the LDS Structure Change formal document to find a full explanation and regulatory amendments of the examination structure change.
The Part 2 exam of the LDS will be held over a two day period and consists of two sections:
- objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) consisting of 12 stations, each of 7 minute duration;
- the ‘unseen case’ exam - (based on an objective structured long examination – OSLE model) which is designed to test candidates’ diagnosis treatment planning and clinical reasoning. Consisting of four cases, approximately 30 minutes each.
Eligibility
An overview of LDS candidate eligibility is provided below. Read the LDS exam regulations and LDS Part 2 application guidance.
To be eligible to enter each part of the LDS exam all candidates must:
- If registered on a course of study at a UK undergraduate dental school, produce evidence that they have satisfactorily completed a five-year curriculum as described and recognised by the General Dental Council (GDC) and have passed the dental schools final exams, and are registered with the GDC.
- If in possession of a qualification awarded by an EEA university or licensing body that is recognised by the GDC for purposes of full registration in the UK, produce evidence of qualification, certificates of the courses of study attended and exams passed for such a qualification.
- If holding a qualification awarded by an overseas university or licensing body that is not recognised by the GDC for purposes of full registration in the UK, produce evidence of qualification and a NARIC certificate. In addition, it is necessary to provide certificates showing that the studies and courses undertaken were in line with the standards described in the First Five Years: a Framework for Undergraduate Dental Education 3rd edition (interim) (General Dental Council, 2008). A NARIC certificate is required unless temporary registration with the GDC is current and can be verified.
- Produce evidence of having had no fewer than 1600 hours clinical experience where you have personally treated patients in the dental chair. The number of hours of this clinical experience will either be hours spent undertaking appropriate investigations and administering dental treatment during the dental degree, during post-qualification experience, or a combination of the two and must have occurred during the period immediately prior to sitting Part 2 of the exam.
- Demonstrate linguistic competence by means of the Academic International English Language Testing System(IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Exemptions only apply to EEA nationals, those who have indefinite leave to remain in the UK or undertook their undergrad or postgrad dental degree in a UK institution. Original or certified copy of degree must be submitted to prove exemption.
- Produce a certificate or letter of good standing.
Exam format
The Part 2 exam of the Licence in Dental Surgery (LDS) will be held over a two-day period and consists of two sections:
- objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) consisting of 12 stations, each of 7 minute duration;
- the ‘unseen case’ exam - (based on an objective structured long examination – OSLE model) which is designed to test candidates’ diagnosis treatment planning and clinical reasoning. Consisting of four cases, approximately 30 minutes each.
Syllabus
Below is an outline of the major competencies/learning outcomes that may be assessed. These represent broad categories of professional activity and concerns that occur in the general practice of dentistry and are interdisciplinary in orientation and must embrace an element of critical thinking.
They may apply in differing ways to patients of all ages, including children, adolescents, adults and the elderly.
Professionalism
a) Professional attitude and behaviour
b) Ethics and jurisprudence
Interpersonal, Communication and Social Skills
a) Communication
Knowledge Base, Information and Information literacy
a) Application of basic biological, medical, technical and clinical sciences
b) Acquiring and using information
Clinical Information Gathering
a) Obtaining and recording a comprehensive history of the patient’s medical, oral and dental state
Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
a) Decision-making, clinical reasoning and judgment
b) Education of patients and management of comprehensive primary care
c) Oral medicine management
d) Periodontal management
e) Caries and endodontic management
f) Surgical procedures
g) Pain and anxiety management
h) Restorative/prosthodontics management
i) Orthodontic management
j) Emergency treatment
Health Promotion
a) Improving the oral health of individuals, families and groups in the community
These major competencies are underpinned by sub-sets of more detailed supporting skills, understanding and professional values. The detail, along with associated assessment methods are set out in the Learning Outcomes and Examination Syllabus document.
Book Now
UK and Ireland Exams
UK and Ireland
Apply before: 22 Nov 2024
Application for admission to the exam must reach us no later than 5pm on the closing date.
19
Feb
2025
-
21
Feb
2025
£1575.00
Price
£1575.00LONDON, United Kingdom
Location:
Royal College of General Practitioners30 Euston Square
LONDON
NW1 2FB
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Upcoming Exam Dates
The LDS Part 2 exam will be delivered in London, UK.
LDS Part 2 November 2024
Expression of interest opens: Closed | Expression of interest closes: Closed
Exam Date: 20-22 November 2024 | Exam fee: £1575
Candidates who have passed their LDS Part 1 exam will receive a link to express their interest in taking the LDS Part 2 exam via email.
LDS Part 2 February 2025
Expression of interest opens: Closed | Expression of interest closes: Closed
Exam date: 19 and 21 February 2025 | Location: Royal College of GPs | Exam fee: £1575
Candidates who have passed their LDS Part 1 exam will receive a link to express their interest in taking the LDS Part 2 exam via email.
LDS Part 2 June 2025
Application via Eventbrite: March 2025 | Exam date: TBC June 2025 | Location: London (TBC)
LDS Part 2 November 2025
Application via Eventbrite: August 2025 | Exam date: 19 & 21 November 2025 | Location: RCS England
Application process
LDS Part 2 February 2025
Registration of interest for candidates contacted via email will open at 9am (UK time) on Monday 11 November and close at 5pm on Wednesday 13 November.
Once registered, candidates will be selected to complete their exam booking based on the length of time since passing their LDS Part 1 exam. Priority will be given to candidates nearing the end of their five-year period for completing their License in Dental Surgery.
These candidates will be contacted and given a 5-day window to make full payment via the RCS England website and secure their place.
Please read our LDS Part 2 application guidance before applying.
We will only accept the following number of candidates: LDS Part 2 – 96 candidates
Candidates must pass Part 2 within five years of passing Part 1. Up to three attempts are allowed for the Part 2 exam. It is a candidate’s responsibility to apply for resits. Candidates who fail to apply for the earliest available resit opportunity will manage fewer attempts in the 5 years than candidates who re-apply promptly.
Regulations and Guidance
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LDS Candidate OverviewPDF
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LDS Exam RegulationsPDF
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Part 2 Application GuidancePDF
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LDS Structure Change 2022DOCX
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LDS Learning OutcomesPDF
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LDS Suggested ReadingPDF
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Reasonable Adjustment PolicyPDF
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Candidate Code of ConductPDF
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Mitigating Circumstances PolicyPDF
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Appeal RegulationsPDF
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Suspected Candidate Misconduct ProcedurePDF
Contact the exams department
All dental exam queries (excluding the MFDS) should be emailed to DentalExams@rcseng.ac.uk
All document submissions for eligibility should be emailed to DentalEligibility@rcseng.ac.uk
Candidates should not post any documents to our offices.
Thank you for your enquiry. We will reply to you as soon as possible.
Telephone
For general exam queries please call 020 7405 3474 - Option 3
Our main switchboard is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.