Membership is the first level of achievement in the progression of professional development with the RACDS.

A Member of the College:

  1. Maintains high ethical standards and is a role model for others in the profession.
  2. Is a skilled and highly competent practitioner who has a broad base of experience in general dental practice.
  3. Has breadth and depth of comprehensive scientific knowledge relevant to the practice of dentistry.
  4. Through comprehensive study and assessment has shown that this knowledge can be applied in clinical problem solving scenarios with proven ability in treatment planning and risk management that promotes better treatment outcomes.

Modules

Membership with the RACDS is a two year program comprising six core and three elective modules which are underpinned by:

  • The equivalent of 120 hours appropriate CPD courses to underpin core and elective modules
  • Selected reading and self-paced education
  • Assessment components (open book short answer questions, case reports and a viva voce examination)

Core modules

The College has six core modules that are compulsory for the candidate to complete during MRACDS(GDP) assessment rounds. Assessment rounds take place three times per year. Core modules include the following:

  • Clinical Examination Technique and Dental Imaging
  • Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
  • Infection Control
  • Medical Emergencies
  • Practice Management, Law, Ethics and Risk Management
  • Therapeutics in Dentistry, Pain and Pain Management

There are eight open-book Short Answer Questions( SAQs) for each of the core modules. These questions are designed to be clinically relevant and appropriate for competent general dental practitioners. The SAQ’s include case-based scenarios and are structured to enable candidates to demonstrate their broad understanding of underlying principles and clinical relevance using valid scientific and clinical evidence.

Elective modules

Candidates must complete THREE elective modules, which focus on specialty interest areas of clinical dentistry. Elective modules are assessed via submission of one case report per elective that covers the candidate’s personal treatment of cases representing the broad range of issues covered in the chosen elective. The aim of the case report is to enable candidates to present their own clinical work and to reflect on the treatment provided.
Elective Modules include the following;

  • Endodontics
  • Periodontics
  • Dentoalveolar Surgery
  • Operative Dentistry and Prosthodontics
  • Combined Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Special Needs Dentistry
  • Combined Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics

Eligibility

The MRACDS(GDP) program is open to eligible candidates who are registered to practice dentistry in Australia or New Zealand. Candidates must have completed their undergraduate degree three (3) years prior to enrolling in the Membership(GDP) program and have had a minimum of two (2) years’ clinical experience.

MRACDS(GDP) Program Overseas Resident Australian Resident
Affiliate Member Annual fee (FY 1/7/23 to 30/6/24)$238$261*
MRACDS(GDP) Program
Program fee per year (due at the start of each year)$3,319$3,319
Repeat module fee$670$670
Viva Voce Examination
Enrolment$789$789
Reconsideration fee $260*$260*
Review fee$610*$610*
Appeal fee $7,302* $7,302*
Membership Fees
Admission to Membership$355.45$391*
Annual fee (FY 1/7/23 to 30/6/24)$695$765*
Notes
1. All fees are in $AUD.
2. Fees marked with asterisk (*) denote GST inclusive, otherwise fees are GST free.
3. The annual fee is payable on the 1st day of July each year. All unpaid annual fees by the 31st of August each year will attract a monthly late payment surcharge. Members or Fellows who are elected to Membership or Fellowship during the year will pay a pro rata annual fee based on the whole months remaining in the financial year (FY).
4. The MRACDS(GDP) Program is designed as a two-year program of self-directed learning and assessment. The Program Extension Fee applies to candidates who extend beyond the two years recommended program length.
5. For the 2023/2024 financial year, the Board has again approved a 33% discount on Annual Fees for Fellows/Members residing outside of Australia and New Zealand. Additionally, the Board has approved further discounts for Fellows/Members living in countries classified by the World Bank as either upper-middle, lower-middle or low-income countries.
6. For more information, please refer to the RACDS General Dental Practice (GDP) Handbook and other relevant policies (including refunds) which are available on the website.

An experienced mentor is provided for each MRACDS(GDP) candidate. The mentor will assist their candidate with professional guidance, advice and general support related to the program.

The MRACDS(GDP) mentoring pathways

Stage One

All candidates in the MRACDS(GDP) Program will be assigned a mentor from Orientation Day until the second assessment round. In this time, candidates are encouraged to seek mentoring advice on the program expectations and requirements, support and advice in locating relevant and appropriate resources, support in reviewing pre-assessment material and advice and support during assessment resubmission.

Stage Two

At the end of the following assessment round of the year (three months into the program for new candidates), candidates will be asked to choose one of the following options:

Opt-In – Long Term Mentoring
Candidates who would like to retain their mentoring relationship will be required to opt-in to long term mentoring. In this instance, candidates will maintain contact with their mentor on a regular basis (once every four weeks), for the duration of their time in the program. Long term mentoring will include support in all assessment areas including assessment rounds, case report submissions and viva voce preparation.

Opt-Out – Access to Short term mentoring
Candidates who choose to opt-out will be removed from the mentoring arrangement but will have access to short term, specific mentoring on request. Candidates who have an issue with a particular subject or require assistance with one aspect of the program (such as viva voce preparation) will be able to write to the College to request a mentor to assist with that particular area. The arrangement will be agreed on by both mentor and mentee, and the relationship will cease on completion of the task (i.e. assessment/case submission or viva voce) as arranged.

Conjoint Examination with the College of Dental Surgeons of Hong Kong

Candidates undertaking the Membership in General Dentistry program with the College of Dental Surgeons of Hong Kong, can elect to undertake a conjoint examination leading to the MRACDS(GDP).

Frequently Asked Questions

The MRACDS(GDP) Program is intended for general dentists. If you are a practicing dentist in Australia or New Zealand and wish to structure your professional development and gain a recognised qualification at the same time, then this is the program for you.

The Short Answer Question (SAQ) Assessments, i.e. core modules which consist of eight short answer questions is an open-book assessment and are conducted three times a year, usually around February, May and September. The SAQs will be uploaded into the LMS each Friday at 4.00 pm AEDT/AEST during the assessment period and must be completed by uploading it to the LMS in 48 hours.

The first case report, i.e. elective module must be submitted in the first 12 months. The second and third case reports can be submitted at any time. Please refer to the MRACDS GDP Assessment Policy.

The Viva Voce exams are conducted three times a year in March, July and November. These exams are held online by Zoom.

An orientation day is held in late January or early February each year. The induction day covers essential elements of the program and gives candidates the opportunity to meet each other, and key RACDS representatives and mentors.

Currently the MRACDS General Dental Practice Program is open to registrants residing in Australia and New Zealand only.

Each year there are up to 40 places available.