Relevance date: These instructions will apply to the National Dental Specialty Examination (NDSE) conducted beginning in 2010. See the RCDC website for instructions for examinations conducted on earlier or later dates.

Preamble

The Examination in Dental Sciences is offered to dentists who possess a DDS degree (or equivalent) and who have undertaken a minimum of two consecutive years of advanced training, which will have ideally culminated with the awarding of an M.Sc. or Ph.D. degree. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate excellence in a particular field of dental science and provide evidence that this standard of excellence is acknowledged by a peer group.

A Fellowship in Dental Sciences does not create a specialist in a field already recognized as a specialty by the College, nor does it create a new sub-specialty. Eligible candidates will have been engaged in active research in their chosen field of dental science.Dental Sciences

Eligibility Requirements

1. Candidates must have a dental degree (DDS or equivalent) in addition to a minimum of two consecutive years of advanced training culminating in an M.Sc. or Ph.D. University degree acceptable to the College. In exceptional circumstances, candidates with a dental degree and completion of post-doctoral training of at least two consecutive years’ duration may also be deemed eligible at the discretion of the College.

2. Candidates must not hold a previously earned Membership or Fellowship diploma of the College.

3. Candidates must not hold a licence to practise in a recognized specialty. In special circumstances, however, a candidate holding such a licence may be deemed eligible provided that substantial written proof is provided of their contribution to a field of dental science as evidenced by their peers.

4. Candidates must show devoted attention and proven competence in a field of interest either in the basic sciences or applied therapeutics and demonstrate a link with clinical dentistry. This should be documented in the form of at least five (5) papers or reviews with the applicant being senior author in at least three (3) of them.

5. The candidate’s credentials will be reviewed by the College’s Credentials Committee, which includes the Councillor in Dental Sciences. To facilitate this review, a candidate must provide a two (2) page narrative on his/her contribution to the general field of study. Because of the broad scope of the dental sciences field, the Chair of the Credentials Committee may, at his/her discretion, consult with the Chief Examiner and Examiner-in-Chief when questions of eligibility arise.

6. The candidate should have appropriate teaching experience and/or hold a position in a dental or medical school or community college and may be engaged in research activity.

Examination Structure

 

The examination dates for Component II will be determined following completion of the written examinations and the publishing of the written component results, and will be based on the number of candidates challenging Component II. These dates may fall anywhere within the indicated window and are fixed once set. The RCDC cannot accommodate requests for exceptions, other than in the case of religious or special needs that have been indicated before the date has been set.

The examination dates for Component II will be determined following completion of the written examinations and the publishing of the written component results, and will be based on the number of candidates challenging Component II. These dates may fall anywhere within the indicated window and are fixed once set. The RCDC cannot accommodate requests for exceptions, other than in the case of religious or special needs that have been indicated before the date has been set.

 
Examination Details

COMPONENT I: Written Examination

Two (2), three-hour papers, which will be general in nature. They will embrace all aspects of the basic science field of dentistry. Examination questions will embrace all subjects generally identified as dental science:

Anatomy General Pathology

Physiology Oral Biology

Biochemistry Pharmacology

Microbiology Medicine

COMPONENT II: Oral Examination and Expertise Examination

1. Oral presentation of two (2) publications or two (2) papers presented to publication standards based on both academic and clinical activities subsequent to two (2) consecutive years of advanced training in an M.Sc. or Ph.D. degree program acceptable to the College. This element of the examination will be based on the spirit and format of a Ph.D. defence.

2. This element of the examination will target a group of subjects in which the candidate has demonstrated expertise. This part may be all oral examination or part oral and part written. The suggested groups of categories are as outlined below. The subject area, however, may be re-grouped to reflect a specific candidate’s interests. The intent is for the candidate to demonstrate a range of knowledge in the chosen area of expertise.

1. Anaesthesia
    Pharmacology
    Therapeutics Surgery

2. Biomaterials
    Operative Dentistry
    Restorative Dentistry
    Prosthodontics

3. Orthodontics
    Pediatric Dentistry
    Embryology

4. Preventive Dentistry
    Periodontics
    Epidemiology

5. Oral Pathology
    Radiology