Preparing for the LDS
The Licence in Dental Surgery (LDS) is a three-part exam that tests your knowledge, skills and behaviours against the General Dental Council’s Safe Practitioner Framework.
Preparing for the LDS exams can be challenging, but understanding what to expect is an important first step.
You should start by familiarising yourself with the learning outcomes and behaviours in the Safe Practitioner Framework and ensure you can demonstrate them to the standard of a day one BDS-qualified dentist ready to work in the UK. The framework covers more than clinical and technical competence; it also requires you to demonstrate the interpersonal skills, professionalism and self-management expected of a dentist entering practice.
Explore the syllabus, candidate guidance and practice questions for each exam to help you prepare with confidence.
LDS syllabus
The LDS syllabus shows which learning outcomes will be assessed in each part of the exam.
LDS Part 1
Candidate guidance
Learn what to expect from Part 1, including the exam format, assessment criteria, marking process and recommended preparation resources.
Read the separate guidance about what you need to be able to sit the exam online:
Syllabus
Make sure you are familiar with the Part 1 syllabus:
Sample questions
Our LDS Part 1 sample questions show you the format of questions you can expect:
LDS Part 2
Candidate guidance
Learn about the Part 2 exam, including the different components, assessment criteria, format and preparation guidance:
Syllabus
Make sure you are familiar with the Part 2 syllabus:
Sample questions
Our LDS Part 2 questions show what to expect from the OSCE and SCR sections of the exam.
For the OSCE exam, the sample stations shows you the candidate task, role player instructions and examiner marking criteria.
For the SCR exam, the sample cases show you the candidate material, examiner questions and examiner marking criteria.
LDS Part 3
Candidate guidance
Learn what to expect from Part 3, including the exam format, assessment criteria and preparation guidance:
Syllabus
Make sure you are familiar with the Part 3 syllabus:
Sample questions
Our Part 3 sample question shows you a full Part 3 exam question, including Case A, Case B and Case C exercises and the examiner marking criteria.