We are pleased to announce that, following extensive discussion and collaboration with stakeholders, we are now able to publish the eligibility criteria for the new Dental Specialty Fellowship Examinations. These examinations offer multiple entry routes—accommodating dentists in formal UK specialty training, those undertaking postgraduate university clinical programmes, and practitioners who have trained overseas or have been working within a UK dental specialty for some time.
This new framework broadens access and provides more opportunities for dentists to have their specialist knowledge, skills, and experience formally recognised through the award of a Fellowship in their chosen specialty by one of the UK’s surgical Royal Colleges. In addition to the eligibility criteria, transitional considerations have been published for those who are already on, or will shortly begin, a training or educational pathway.
This initiative represents a joint effort by the Colleges to streamline and align the diverse landscape of dental specialty examinations. The catalyst for this work was the introduction of the new General Dental Council (GDC)-approved curricula across ten dental specialties, which presented a rare, perhaps once-in-a-generation, opportunity to redesign our assessments and make them more accessible—particularly through the newly established open access route.
With the release of the eligibility criteria today, we hope to enable many highly skilled professionals within the dental workforce to pursue formal recognition of their expertise. While a Fellowship alone does not guarantee inclusion on the GDC’s specialist lists, it can play a significant role in a portfolio application, providing strong evidence of specialist-level competence and knowledge.
Eligibility criteria – Published 17 July 2025:
Transitional considerations – Published 17 July 2025