Tri-collegiate Membership in Paediatric Dentistry (MPaed Dent)

To be eligible to enter for the Diploma examination, all candidates must:

• Provide certified evidence of possession of a primary dental qualification that is acceptable to the Colleges.
• Have completed 24 months of full-time or equivalent part-time training acceptable to the Colleges by the date of the examination. The training should preferably be continuous but in some cases breaks in training may be permitted. The total training period should not normally exceed six years.

Prospective candidates must also fulfill one or more of the following criteria:

1. Have satisfactorily completed, by the time of the examination, a minimum of 24 months of a full-time three year training appointment (or part-time equivalent) in a UK training programme as a stipendiary StR who has been awarded a training number.
2. A university Masters or Clinical Doctorate degree programme which parallels the training programme completed by an StR i.e. have satisfactorily completed, by the time of the examination, a minimum of 24 months of a full-time three year training appointment (or part-time equivalent).
3. Have satisfactorily completed, by the time of the examination, a minimum of 24 months of a full-time three year specialist training appointment (or part-time equivalent) overseas or in the EEA, which has been considered and found to be acceptable to the Colleges.
4. Be registered as a Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry in the UK.

If candidates wish to apply under 2 or 3 for entry to the examination, they should submit their portfolio of evidence.

Full details about the eligibility requirements can be found here.

Candidates will be permitted a maximum of four attempts at the examination.

The exam consists of four components. At their first sitting, candidates must attempt all four components. At any subsequent sitting, candidates must attempt all outstanding elements of the exam. 

The exam consists of:

• a written paper of three hours duration;
• submission of three case presentations;
• four simulated cases – testing diagnosis and treatment planning;
• a clinical governance project;
• candidates should refer to the document ‘Guidance to Candidates’ which can be downloaded from the college websites or obtained by post from the colleges. This contains further information on the exam structure.