The Irish Dental Council Categories & Language Requirements

Language Requirements

Accepted Proof of English Proficiency:

• IELTS (Academic): Overall 7.0, no section below 6.5

• OET (Occupational English Test): Minimum score B in all components

📌 Note: Language tests must be valid at the time of application, not just at time of exam.

Not accepted:

• Medium of instruction letters

• Incomplete English results

• IELTS General Training

Exemptions:

You may be exempt from English exams if:

• Your dental degree was entirely taught and examined in English in a majority English-speaking country (e.g., Ireland, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, NZ)

• You can demonstrate at least 3 years of recent clinical practice in English

You must provide:

• A written statement

• Evidence (letters from employers, regulatory bodies, etc.)

Candidate Categories

1. EU Graduates

• May be eligible for automatic recognition via the EU system (if the qualification complies with Directive 2005/36/EC).

• If not, must sit the IDC exam.

2. Non-EU / Non-EEA Dentists

• Must pass both Part 1 and Part 2 of the IDC registration exam.

• Must demonstrate:

  • Primary dental qualification (equivalent to a 5-year EU program)

  • English proficiency

  • Minimum 3 years of clinical experience

3. Refugee Dentists in Ireland

• You may be exempt from the registration examination.

• Apply through a separate application pathway with supporting documentation confirming refugee or subsidiary protection status.

• See Refugee Applicants Page for criteria.

Exam Preparation Tips

Part 1 – Theory + Pre-clinical Bench Test

• Bench Test: Practice cavity preparation, Class II restorations, access cavities on typodonts/manikins.

• SAQs (Short Answer Questions): Use MCQ/SAQ prep books used in dental schools like:

  • Oxford Handbook of Clinical Dentistry

  • Master Dentistry Volumes 1 & 2

  • Public health topics and Irish dental ethics/legislation (available on the Council's website)

Part 2 – Clinical Exam

• Written papers cover clinical reasoning, case-based questions

• OSCE stations: Practice under time constraints (5–10 mins each station)

• Vivas: Mock oral exams with peers or mentors. Focus on:

  • Treatment planning

  • Risk communication

  • Ethics scenarios

Exam Attempts & Repeats

⛔ If you fail to attend a scheduled exam (without prior approval), it counts as an attempt.