It is expected that the first examinations for Part 1, the single best answer exam, will take place in September or October 2026 in various locations in the United Kingdom. Part 2, the clinical structured orals, will be scheduled for the start of 2027, likely January and February 2027. 

Final dates will be published and applications will open in the first quarter of 2026.

Consultation on these dates is under way to ensure that trainees can progress and exit training as planned.

International exam dates will be planned for 2027.

The examination for each specialty (with the exception of Dental Public Health) consists of two parts:

Part 1: Single Best Answer (SBA) Questions 
SBAs are a selected response format with one single best answer, usually with four plausible distractors. Single Best Answer questions will be used to assess basic and clinical sciences pertinent to clinical decision making in the relevant specialty, particularly those that are not directly observable in the workplace. The questions may also assess knowledge that, whilst not strictly clinical, is relevant to clinical decision making and treatment planning.

Part 2: Clinical Structured Oral (cSO) 
A cSO is a discussion between the candidate and one or more examiners.  The cSO will be used to assess candidates’ clinical judgement and decision-making skills. This will include the assessment and interpretation of clinical information to reach appropriate diagnoses (including differential diagnoses) in line with relevant clinical guidelines, prognoses, patient management, treatment planning, and dealing with complications within the overall context of healthcare delivery relevant to the specialty. Clinical decision making may also include the recognition of medical emergencies and situations requiring urgent referral.

Candidates will be required to pass Part 1 before sitting part 2. 

Part 1 will consist of 180 questions examined over four hours, with a short break after two hours. The examination will be facilitated online in an exam centre.

Part 2 will consist of up to 10 case-based stations with up to 25 minutes per station including reading and examining time.

Part 2 will take place face-to-face at an exam centre.

The format for Dental Public Health will be published as soon as it is finalised.

If you are an international candidate, or not on a UK National training programme, it is your choice as to how to complete your exams, as long as you can satisfy the eligibility requirements of each exam, which will be provided in the exam regulations.  You should be aware that all existing Specialty Membership and Specialty Fellowship exams will cease to run in Spring 2026, Spring 2027 for re-sits. The new Specialty Fellowship exams will begin in Autumn 2026.

Yes.  MFDS (from any of the three UK Surgical Royal Colleges) will be a prerequisite for sitting the new Dental Specialty Fellowship Exams.  This will allow continuity of assessment of skills throughout the exam progression.

The MFDS is a requirement for the new specialty fellowship exams. You will therefore not be required to complete the MFDS if you complete your specialty membership or specialty fellowship exams before the last diet available for the older curriculum (pre-September 2024). If you cannot complete your specialty membership or specialty fellowship exams before the last diet you will be required to do your MFDS.

This includes candidates with additional attempts in hand, and any trainees in less than full time training.

If you do not complete your specialty membership or specialty fellowship examination before the new curriculum transition period closes, you will need to fulfil the eligibility requirements for the Dental Specialty Fellowship Examinations, which will include completion of the MFDS.

Please refer to your Training Programme Director or the COPDEND transition guidance.