Eligibility

To be eligible to enter the diploma exam, candidates: 

a) will normally have been engaged in a recognised course of study in accordance with the following requirements: 

1. any course approved by the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) and by the Faculty of Dental Surgery, RCS. Such courses are to comply with the Faculties’ requirements for teaching and assessment of participants, the General Dental Council’s curriculum for orthodontic therapy and any other requirements that may from time to time be specified by the GDC;
2. any approved programme of training in a School of Dental Care Professionals or  equivalent establishment, such courses to comply with the Faculties’ requirement for teaching and assessment of participants, the General Dental Council’s curriculum for orthodontic therapy and any other requirements that may from time to time be specified by the GDC. 
3. approved programmes should be equivalent to least 45 weeks of full time training in length.

b) must provide evidence of completion of the required training as detailed above, signed by the director of the programme.

c) must provide a verified logbook containing evidence of satisfactory completion of practical training and demonstration of competency in the areas outlined in the syllabus.

Candidates may take the assessment after completing 80% of his/her chosen programme of study, providing the requirements above can be satisfied. Please note however that the diploma will only be formally granted once the programme of study is successfully completed. 

Each candidate should give notice of his/her intention to sit the assessment by application form, which must reach the Royal College of Surgeons of England no later than the closing date on the exams calendar. Any applications received after the closing date will be returned. Please note that no concessions can be made for postal or any other delays. 

Candidates who submit an application form but are subsequently found to be ineligible to enter the assessment will have their fee returned minus administrative charges of 20%.

a)         Logbook

All candidates will be required to submit a logbook prior to commencing the assessment. This should be sent to the Royal College of Surgeons of England before the closing date on the exams calendar. The logbook should record the clinical work undertaken during the course and must demonstrate that the appropriate level of competency has been attained in all areas as listed under level C in the syllabus document. The logbook must also be signed as verified by the programme director.

b)         Written paper

A 1.5 hour paper consisting of extended matching questions (EMQs). The written paper will cover the subject areas as listed in the syllabus document.

c)         Log book viva examination 

A structured viva voce examination of 20 minutes in length consisting of questions related to the content of the logbook.           

d)         Clinical assessment 

An objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). This will test the candidate’s clinical problem-solving ability and will cover the competencies required at level C in the syllabus.

The written and OSCE components may take place over two days; in this event candidates will normally be required to attend on both exam days.