MFDS Exam Update 2026–2027

Important Changes to the MFDS Exam

The Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery exam is changing. From 2026 and 2027, the UK Surgical Royal Colleges will move towards a new unified MFDS assessment, with a higher level of assessment mapped to later Dental Core Training outcomes.

Key message: Candidates who have already started preparing for the current MFDS should carefully plan their exam sittings. Part-completion of the current MFDS will not give exemption from the new MFDS format.

What is changing?

The new MFDS will become a unified tri-collegiate examination delivered by the three UK Surgical Royal Colleges:

Royal College of Surgeons of England
Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow

This aims to create a clearer postgraduate dental assessment pathway for dentists in both primary and secondary care.

Higher assessment level

The new MFDS will assess competence at the level of a GDC-registered dentist completing DCT3, equivalent to around four years of postgraduate experience.

It will be mapped to relevant learning outcomes from DCT years two and three, meaning it is set at a different standard from the current exam.

Important MFDS dates

Exam	Current Format	New Format	Important Note
MFDS Part 1	Final current-format sittings: 13 May 2026 20 October 2026	First new-format Part 1 expected in Autumn 2026.	Candidates are advised to sit May 2026 if aiming to complete the current format, allowing October 2026 as a possible resit.
MFDS Part 2	Remaining current-format sittings: March 2026 UK November 2026 UK March 2027	First new-format Part 2 expected in early 2027.	March 2027 places are expected to be capped and allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

If you have already started MFDS

If you have already started studying for the existing MFDS, or have already attempted one part, you should make a clear plan to complete the current pathway before it closes.

Completing only Part 1 of the current MFDS will not provide exemption from the new MFDS. If Part 2 is not passed before the current format ends, candidates will need to sit both parts of the new MFDS syllabus.

If you have not started yet

Candidates who have not yet started preparing may wish to consider preparing for the new MFDS format, which begins from 2026.

The new exam is expected to assess a broader and higher level of clinical competence, so preparation should be structured, comprehensive and aligned with the updated syllabus.

What this means for candidates

1. Do not leave Part 1 too late If you want to complete the existing MFDS route, the May 2026 sitting is strategically important.

2. Part 2 must be completed before the current format ends Passing Part 1 alone will not protect your progress once the new format takes over.

3. The new exam is set at a higher level The updated MFDS will be mapped closer to DCT2 and DCT3 outcomes.

4. International candidates remain eligible The MFDS will continue to be available to both UK-trained and internationally-trained dentists.

Preparing for MFDS Part 1?

Enamel Academy provides structured MFDS preparation to help candidates revise efficiently, practise SBA-style questions and build confidence before the exam.

View MFDS Part 1 Course View MFDS Part 2 Course View Dental Mnemonics Book

This page is an educational summary for candidates. Candidates should always check the official Royal College and Dental Specialty Fellowship Examinations websites before booking exams or making decisions about eligibility, withdrawals or exam timelines.