The Irish Dental Council Exams

1. Exam Schedule & Application Window

• Part 1 – 2025

  • Bench Test: 26–27 March 2025

  • Written Papers: 28–29 March 2025 Dental Council of Ireland+9Dental Council of Ireland+9Dental Council of Ireland+9

• Application Period

  • Open: 20–24 January 2025

  • Allocation via random selection: 80% of places for applicants “established in Ireland,” 20% for those abroad Dental Council of Ireland+1Dental Council of Ireland+1

  • “Established” = PPS number or GNIB permission required.

2. Eligibility & Legal Basis (Dentists Act 1985, Sec 27(2)(d))

• Applicants must show equivalence to a 5‑year EU dental programme and proficiency in English.

• Refugee dentists in Ireland have a separate pathway and are exempt from the exam Dental Council of IrelandDental Council of Ireland.

3. Exam Structure

Part 1 (Pre‑clinical + Theory)

• Bench Test (operative procedures on manikins)

• 3 Written Papers (SAQs):

  1. Health (anatomy, histology, physiology)

  2. Disease (pathology, pharmacology, microbiology)

  3. Society (ethics, Irish dental regulation, public health) Dental Council of Ireland+8Dental Council of Ireland+8Dental Council of Ireland+8

Part 2 (Clinical Proficiency)

• 3 Written Papers: Restorative, Oral Surgery/Medicine, Child Dental Health

• OSCE: clinical stations

• Clinical Vivas: face-to-face case discussions Dental Council of Ireland+4Dental Council of Ireland+4Dental Council of Ireland+4

4. Scoring & Progression Rules

• Each component requires individual passing; no compensation across components.

• Marking uses standard-setting, not a fixed pass mark (e.g. not automatically 50%) Dental Council of Ireland+5Dental Council of Ireland+5Dental Council of Ireland+5.

• Maximum attempts:

  • Part 1: 2 tries

  • Part 2: 3 tries

• If a candidate misses a scheduled exam, it counts as an attempt Dental Council of Ireland+6Dental Council of Ireland+6Dental Council of Ireland+6.

5. Application Process & Requirements

• Submit:

  1. Completed form + fee (€1,500 / repeat €750)

  2. Diploma/supporting documents

  3. 3 years’ recent practice

  4. Certificate of Good Standing

  5. English proficiency (IELTS 7.0 / OET B) Dental Council of IrelandDental Council of Ireland+8Dental Council of Ireland+8Dental Council of Ireland+8

6. Timeline & Logistics

• Exam held once a year (Part 1 in Mar/Apr; Part 2 in Jun/Jul) Dental Council of Ireland.

• Limited capacity → oversubscription likely

• Offers must be accepted within 3 working days, or place is forfeited Dental Council of Ireland+1Dental Council of Ireland+1.

• No standard deferrals; very limited exceptions Dental Council of Ireland.

7. Fees & Refund Policy

• First registration exam: €1,500, repeat part: €750

• Refunds not issued after confirmation. Late or missed payments may incur penalties.

8. Professional Conduct

• Unprofessional behaviour during exams can result in removal without refund Dental Council of Ireland+5Dental Council of Ireland+5Dental Council of Ireland+5.

• Exam appeal process & committee available Dental Council of Ireland.

Summary Table

Key Takeaways (FAQs)

• Can I delay once accepted?
  No routine deferrals; only allowed in rare, extreme cases.

• What if I’m a non‑EEA dentist?
  You must pass both parts unless eligible maybe via alternative routes (e.g., refugee status).

• Can I transfer a passed component?
  Yes—Part 1 components can carry over in a repeat sitting.

• Is the exam difficult?
  Yes, it’s rigorous. You’re being assessed against EU clinical standards. Many candidates fail on their first attempt, especially if unprepared for Irish ethics or clinical OSCEs.

• Can I work in Ireland while waiting for the exam?
  Not as a dentist. You may work in related roles (e.g., dental nurse, practice manager) if eligible under immigration law.

• How long does the whole process take?
  On average, 1–2 years, including preparation, application processing, and exam sittings.