Restorative Dentistry
This page contains the documents that relate to the Dental Specialty Fellowship Examinations for this topic.
- Examination Syllabus
- Assessment strategy
- Link to the GDC Curriculum
- Link to the training syllabus defined by the Specialty Advisory Committee (SAC)
- Illustration of how the change to the curriculum impacts the examination certifications
- Part 1 SBA Sample Questions
Examination Syllabus
Assessment Strategy
GDC Curriculum and Training Syllabus
Training syllabus – As defined by the Specialty Advisory Committee (SAC)
Illustrative Examination Route
The image below is to illustrate the changes to certification as a result of the introduction of the new curriculum. The illustration assumes full time training. Trainees on the NTN pathway should refer to their TPD’s or Post Graduate Dental Dean for information about progression.
Sample Questions
Below are five sample Single Best Answer (SBA) questions selected from across the syllabus. These questions are designed to be indicative of the level, style, and cognitive demand of the examination and reflect the use of higher‑order clinical reasoning. They are provided solely as a guide and should not be interpreted as representative of the full breadth or specific content of the assessment.
You will be required to select the most appropriate answer from a choice of five answers. There may be images and/or test results included in the data provided for the question.
The examination comprises two papers of 90 SBA questions, each of two hours’ duration. There is no negative marking, and candidates are therefore encouraged to attempt every question. During each paper, candidates will be able to navigate freely between questions and amend their answers at any point prior to submission. Further information on the in-centre assessment experience will be made available on the website and in direct communications to registered candidates.
Question 1
A 63-year-old fit and healthy patient complains of bleeding around a LR6 screw-retained implant crown that was placed four years ago. Clinical examination shows poor oral hygiene with bleeding, suppuration and 6-7 mm probing depths with no mobility of the implant. A periapical radiograph shows 3 mm of crestal bone loss.
What is the most appropriate step after oral hygiene instruction?
A. Professional mechanical plaque removal
B. Non-surgical debridement with local anaesthesia
C. Non-surgical debridement with topical antimicrobials
D. Removal of the crown and non-surgical debridement
E. Reshaping of the crown and non-surgical debridement
The correct answer is D.
Justification: Whilst the other answers are equally probable, D is the most appropriate as, if the crown is overcontoured, access for cleaning could be compromised.
Question 2
A root-treated mandibular molar remains symptomatic, despite treatment. Clinical examination and periapical radiographs are inconclusive, and there is suspicion of a complex root canal anatomy.
What is the most appropriate next imaging modality to aid diagnosis?
A. Periapical radiographs with different angulations
B. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)
C. Orthopantomogram (OPG)
D. Medical grade computed tomography (CBCT)
E. Occlusal radiograph
The correct answer is B.
Justification: The other options will not provide the detailed assessment 3-dimensionally of the root canal, but option B will.
Question 3
A 20-year-old patient with a high aesthetic concern requests ‘permanent replacement’ of a missing maxillary lateral incisor. There is a history of a repaired unilateral cleft lip/palate and orthodontic treatment. Clinical examination shows a mild residual alveolar cleft defect and a retained primary canine with a long root and a lateral incisor space.
What is the most appropriate long-term restorative plan?
- Provide composite build up on the retained deciduous canine
- Extract the deciduous canine and replace with a resin-bonded bridge
- Refer for secondary alveolar bone grafting, followed by implant placement
- Provide a removable partial denture until skeletal maturity is complete
- Proceed with implant placement and bone grafting
The correct answer is C.
Justification: Whilst option A is plausible It would not close the gap; the deciduous tooth has a long root and would not be removed and would make a bigger gap; due to the presence of the cleft, placing implants has a higher risk of failure, so option C is the most appropriate.
Question 4
A fit and well cooperative 13-year-old patient attends 20 minutes after avulsing a mature permanent maxillary central incisor during a sports injury. The tooth has been stored in cold milk and is visibly soiled. Clinical examination reveals no alveolar fracture.
What is the most appropriate immediate management?
A. Irrigate root surface, replant immediately and place a flexible splint
B. Complete root canal treatment extra-orally and replant tooth
C. Obtain cross-sectional imaging and then reimplant tooth
D. Clean the socket and replace tooth with a resin-bonded bridge
E. Store tooth in saline and refer for management of the tooth
The correct answer is A.
Justification: The most successful outcome after trauma is if the tooth is implanted immediately, especially as it has only been out of the mouth for 20 minutes. If it has been longer then the other options would be considered.
Question 5
A medically fit and well 56-year-old man is referred for urgent dental assessment before starting radiotherapy for head and neck cancer in three weeks’ time. He is an irregular dental attender. Clinical examination reveals several heavily broken-down molars with poor restorative prognosis.
What is the most appropriate next step in management?
- Liaise with radiotherapy team to discuss start of radiotherapy
- Liaise with dental practitioner for temporisation and extraction
- Extract teeth with poor prognosis before radiotherapy begins
- Delay radiotherapy until all definitive dental treatment is completed
- Prescribe high-fluoride toothpaste and review during radiotherapy
The correct answer is C.
Justification: Radiotherapy treatment would not be delayed and, as he is an irregular attender, the focus would be to remove the worst affected tooth to reduce the risk of bone necrosis.