If you hold a postgraduate qualification such as a DClinDent, PhD, or an eligible master’s degree, you may be eligible for exemption from the Primary Dental Sciences (PDS) Examination. This exemption allows you to proceed directly to the Fellowship Examination in General Dental Practice (GDP), accelerating your professional progression. Click here to learn more about the Fellowship Examination in General Dental Practice (GDP).

Eligibility

Candidates who have completed one of the following qualifications may be eligible for an exemption from the Primary Dental Sciences Examination:

  1. A degree leading to a specialist qualification in health sciences which is no less than two (2) years full time study or its equivalent (for example, FRACDS(OMS) and D.Clin.Dent (Ortho)).
  2. A higher research degree in health or biomedical sciences which is no less than two (2) years full time study or its equivalent entirely directed to a research thesis, for example, M.Phil, Ph.D or D.Phil. This category cannot include any degree(s) necessary for registration as a general dentist, even if a research component was undertaken. DDS, MSc and BDS(Honours) are three examples of ineligible qualifications.

How to Apply?

If you are granted exemption from the Primary Dental Sciences Examination, you must still pass the Fellowship Examination to be awarded Fellowship with the College and use of post-nominal FRACDS(GDP).

  1. Apply for Affiliate Membership (unless you are a current subscribed member).
  2. Ensure you have the documentation required for lodging the application – refer to list below
  3. Please ensure you are aware of the fee involved in submitting an application. See fees on Membership-PDS tab here.
  4. Click Apply Now

For more information, please refer to the GDP Handbook or email fracds@racds.org.

  • 60% of the application fee will be refunded if the application is unsuccessful, as per the RACDS refund policy, available on the College website
  • Applications will not be processed unless all appropriate supporting documentation is attached
  • Candidates who have submitted an Exemption Application are permitted to enrol for the following Fellowship Examination for Fellowship (GDP) on a provisional basis but are not able to present for the Examination unless the Exemption Application has been approved.
  • Applications for exemption can take 4 to 6 weeks to process so please allow enough time between submission of your Exemption application and the close of enrolments for the Fellowship Examination (GDP). Provisional Fellowship Examination enrolments will not be fully processed (i.e. fees charged) unless the Exemption Application is approved.
  • Candidates granted an exemption from the Primary Dental Sciences Examination will not be eligible to apply for Membership in Primary Dental Sciences – MRACDS(PDS).
exemption from pds examination checklist

Documentation to Apply

Prior to applying for exemption from the Primary Dental Sciences Examination, please ensure you have the following documentation ready:

  • Certificate of University Dentistry Qualification (must be certified)
  • Certificate of University postgraduate qualification – Masters, PHD or DClinDent (must be certified)
  • Proof that the postgraduate qualification was two years full-time or equivalent including the start and finish dates

Click here for information on requirements for certified documents.

Fellowship in General Dental Practice (GDP)

Read more about Fellowship Examination in General Dental Practice

Admission and Approval Process

Trainees and candidates who have met the criteria for Fellowship initiate applications by completing the Admission to Membership or Fellowship Application Form. The timeframe for an application to be approved after the initial assessment by the College is at the next Board of Directors meeting (held quarterly). Typically, this process will take 6 to 8 weeks.

Fellowship is not granted automatically after the completion of a training program or exam, you must apply.

The College will notify individuals who are eligible to apply for admission to Fellowship following the completion of the relevant pathway requirements. There will be a link in the eligibility letter to the online Admission form or it can be accessed here. An admission fee is due upon submission to cover the administration of your application.

The process below outlines the approval and admission of a Fellow.

1. Successful completion of pathway requirements.

2. Complete the Admission to Membership or Fellowship Application Form and pay the admission fee.

3. Application is processed, and the Board of Directors confers admission application (at the next quarterly meeting).

4. RACDS issues documents verifying Membership and Annual Fee invoice (pro rata).

5. Applicant pays RACDS Annual Fee (yearly payment) to finalise Membership application.

6. Membership confirmed, and applicant receives Testamur and access to Membership benefits. Please note that display of designated post-nominal, Testamur and access to other benefits requires the ongoing payment of an Annual Fee.

Apply for Admission to Membership