Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (UK)

The Royal College of Surgeons of England

Information on the Diploma in General Dental Practice
(UK)

What is the Diploma in General Dental Practice or DGDP(UK)?

An academic qualification which is the gateway to full membership of the Faculty. It is registerable with the General Dental Council and gives public recognition that a recognised standard of professional development has been achieved.

Who is it for?

Dentists in primary dental health care (possessing a dental qualification registerable in the UK or their country of origin) who have:

• Practised for two years.
• Participated in 20 postgraduate education sessions in the two years preceding the examination.

Where can I take the examination?

The examinations, held twice-yearly in spring and autumn, are held at The Royal College of Surgeons of England and at a regional centre.

What support is there to help me?

Pathways in Practice, a distance learning programme, addresses the syllabus of the DGDP (UK) and is available from the Faculty office (UK price: £89.50). A network of divisional diploma tutors has been set up to offer support and there are local study groups to assist preparation for the DGDP (UK).

What is involved?

The examination is in two parts, usually taken within four weeks of each other.

Part I comprises:

• A 20-question multiple short answer paper (two hours)
• A critical reading paper of extracts from dental publications (two hours).
• A manual of postgraduate activity and a short CV.

Part II comprises:

• A practice description.
• The presentation of records of two patients, with a 20-minute viva voce.
• A 15-minute treatment planning exercise, with a 10-minute viva voce on the treatment planning exercise, followed by a 10-minute general viva voce.

Where can I obtain more information?

Print and complete the pro forma and return to the Faculty office.

The FAX NUMBER is: +44 (0) 171 973 2153

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