Diploma in Orthodontic Therapy (DipOT)
Exam overview
The Diploma in Orthodontic Therapy (DipOt) enables orthodontic nurses and dental care professionals to register with the General Dental Council (GDC) as an orthodontic therapist.
To complete the diploma participants are required to undertake an approved training programme and a final assessment.
Eligibility
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:
- 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;
- 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.
- 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%.
Exam format
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.
Syllabus
Exam dates
Applications must arrive at the Examinations Department, The Royal College of Surgeons of England, 35-43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE by 5pm on the closing date for application. Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances. Please read our exams guidance before applying.
Candidates should submit with their application the full assessment fee and their completed logbook which should be signed by the programme director. If paying by cheque this should be payable to the ‘Royal College of Surgeons of England.’
For further information, please contact the Joint Dental Faculties Examinations team on dentalexams@rcseng.ac.uk
Exam | Application and fees due | Submission of cases | Exam date | Exam fee |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dip OT | 15 July 2020 |
31 July 2020 |
1 - 2 September 2020 |
£520 |
Contact the exams department
All dental exam queries (excluding the MJDF) should be emailed to dentalexams@rcseng.ac.uk
Thank you for your enquiry. We will reply to you as soon as possible.
Telephone
For general exam queries please call 020 7405 3474
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