A Candidate who successfully completes the Final Examination will be admitted as a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (FRACDS-General Stream) - Advantages of the FRACDS Fellows of the College have accomplished a remarkable achievement in demonstrating their scientific knowledge and advanced clinical skills through assessment or examination by their peers. A collegial experience includes a number of both tangible and intangible benefits and advantages. The Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (or even the candidate who have successfully completed the Primary Examination) is admitted globally as a highly qualified dentist. This admission may determine entry into postgraduate clinical or academic programs in many of the reputable academic institutions, hospitals and research centers all over the world. The Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons is invited to actively participate in the valued networking and continuing professional development opportunities of the RACDS' regional scientific days and the biennial convocations and international conferences. The Fellow is also invited to participate in different international workshops and seminars in different fields of dentistry both inside and outside Australia. Fellows working in Australia also enjoy access to the RACDS' Member Advantage Program which offers discounts across a broad range of relevant products and services including hotel accommodation, airline lounge membership, health insurance, car hire and general lifestyle activities to suit the whole family. - Enrollment into the College and Registration for Examinations Candidates wishing to register for College Examinations must enroll and pay the enrollment fees. Enrollment is valid for a maximum of 6 years during which a candidate should register for the Primary Examination and/or the Final Examination. To register for either the Primary Examination or the Final Examination, a candidate should provide evidence from a registering authority that he/she is entitled to practice dentistry. It is usually preferred that a candidate register for the Primary Examination after 1-3 years have passed since he/she has been granted a Bachelor degree in Dental Science (or equivalent) Candidates wishing to register for the Final Examination must produce evidence of having passed or been exempted from the Primary Examinations, and having completed a minimum of 2 years of clinical experience as a dentist, and having spent a minimum of 3 years after having been granted a dental degree. Non-dentists may be eligible to enroll into the College and register for the examinations. - Exemption from the Primary Examination Exemption from the Primary Examination may be allowed to candidates who produce evidence of having successfully completed the primary examination for fellowship in the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England Royal C

1. FRACDS Dr Wessam Atteya
B D S , F R A C D S - S Y D N E Y

2. The Royal Australasian
College of Dental
Surgeons

3. ABOUT THE RACDS
The Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons
is a postgraduate education body which provides
the opportunity for advanced dental study,
training and qualifications, and continuing
professional development through Membership
and Fellowship programs.

4. ABOUT THE RACDS
The main focus of the College’s programs is to provide
world standard, evidence based education, training and
assessment in dentistry, leading to Membership
(MRACDS) or Fellowship (FRACDS) in either General or
Specialist Dental Practice.

5. ABOUT THE RACDS
Membership and Fellowship begins from the
moment a candidate decides to aim for
achievement by enrolling with the College.

6. ABOUT THE RACDS
The RACDS qualifications demonstrate to patients that
their practitioner is equipped with the knowledge and
skills to practise clinical dentistry at the highest
standards throughout their working life.

7. ABOUT THE RACDS
The College also offers accredited education and
training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for
those dentists or doctors wishing to specialise in
this area of specialty practice.

8. ABOUT THE RACDS
General Dental Practice (GDP) is considered by the
College to be a core, valuable and challenging
profession requiring consistent application and
development over the course of one’s career to ensure
the breadth and depth of knowledge is maintained.

9. ABOUT THE RACDS
 The RACDS sees itself as the foremost body to
provide support for this lifelong learning.
 The RACDS has an active presence throughout
Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the UK.
 The RACDS Members and Fellows live and work in
all corners of the globe.

10. ABOUT THE RACDS
RACDS members and fellows are engaged in
research studies through our Education Board
and Boards of Studies in general and specialist
dental practice.
The RACDS have conjoint arrangements with four
of Australia’s top University dental schools.

11. Qualifications
• The qualifications awarded by examination by the Royal Australasian
College of Dental Surgeons are:
A. Membership in General Dental Practice – MRACDS(GDP)
B. Fellowship in General Dental Practice – FRACDS(GDP)
C. Membership in Specialist Dental Practice (in a discipline) –
MRACDS(SDP)
D. Fellowship in Specialist Dental Practice (in a discipline) – FRACDS(SDP)

12. Membership
•Membership in General Dental Practice is a pathway to
the defined acquisition of further knowledge,
proficiency and the ability to consider research and
academic theory in general dentistry.

13. fellowship
• Fellowship in General Dental Practice is recognition of proven peer proficiency and
is achieved through completion of:
A. Either the Primary examination OR the Membership Program in General Dental
Practice
AND
B. The Final examination
Fellowship demonstrates attainment of an advanced level of knowledge and skill in
the discipline of General Dental Practice.

14. Specialist Dental Practice
•Those programs are designed for the specialist dentist who
wishes to gain
•Membership and eventually Fellowship in a specialist
discipline of dentistry.

15. Obtaining the FRACDS-GDP
The College offers two pathways to Fellowship in General
Dental Practice:
Pathway 1 comprises two examinations, one formative and one
summative (Primary and Final), both requiring a supported
period of study and preparation.
Candidates are eligible to apply for admission to Fellowship on
completion of both examinations.

16. Obtaining the FRACDS-GDP
Pathway 2 initially comprises the MRACDS(GDP) Program; a
modular, self-paced education program. Candidates are eligible
to apply for admission to Membership on completion of the
program and may then opt to proceed to Fellowship via
completion of the Final examination.
The College does not set any specific requirements for demonstration of
English language skills, however it should be noted that all assessments
are written and marked in English.

17. Pathway

18. Primary Examination
• The Primary examination (formative) is a rigorous assessment of a
candidate’s knowledge of the fundamental principles of the basic health
sciences as they relate to dentistry and confirmation of a level of
understanding commensurate with a high distinction-level university
graduate in dentistry. The examination is held annually in
November/December at a number of locations across Australasia.
• Exemptions from the examination may be granted for candidates with
appropriate Qualifications.
• The examination is also open to non-dentists.

19. Primary Examination
• The subjects of the examination are :
• · Anatomy
• · Histology
• · Physiology
• · Cell biology & biochemistry
• · Pathology
• · Microbiology

20. Exemption from the Primary Examination
• Exemption from the Primary Examination may be allowed to candidates who produce
evidence of having successfully completed the primary examination for fellowship in the
Faculty of Dental Surgery of the
• Royal College of Surgeons of England – MJDF Part 1
• Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh – MFDS Part 1
• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow – MFDS Part 1
• Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – MFD Part 1
• Exemption from the Primary Examination may also be allowed to candidates who provide
evidence of successful completion of a full-time supervised program of advanced training of a
minimum of 3 years duration leading to a Masters degree or its equivalent. – Master Degree,
Egyptian Fellowship.

21. Primary examination

22. Final examination
•The Final examination (summative) is an assessment of clinical
and theoretical knowledge in an experiential context, over a
broad base of general dental practice. The level of expectation
is specifically set at the experienced general practitioner level
and not the specialist level. The examination is held annually in
January at a number of locations across Australasia.
•Non-dentists who have passed the Primary examination will not
be eligible to sit the Final examination without subsequently
submitting evidence of a recognised dental qualification and
registration to practice dentistry.

23. Final examination
•Candidates are expected to demonstrate a greater breadth of
knowledge about general dental practice and a greater depth of
knowledge about specialist dental practice than the average
general dental practitioner.
•The College appoints experienced clinicians as examiners and
provides them with training, guidance and calibration to ensure
the examination process is fair, equitable and transparent.
•

24. Final examination
• The focus is on the candidate’s ability to:
 Make an informed clinical assessment and analysis
 Consider a diagnosis with evidence of application of diagnostic or
surgical sieves and selection of appropriate treatment modalities
 Demonstrate the ability to justify the management options with
reference to current literature and evidence-based practice

25. Final examination
• The Final examination consists of two parts:
• Section 1: General Dentistry
 Written paper of three (3) hours duration.
 Viva voce examination of 20 minutes duration.
• Section 2: Elective
 Written paper of three (3) hours’ duration
 Case presentation (30 minute review, 20 minute presentation)
 Viva voce examination of 25 minutes’ duration

26. Final examination format
Written exams:
 They are made of two written papers, 3 hours each.
 Both papers have one compulsory question and 3 questions to choose two.
Viva exams:
Consists of two exams:
1- Viva for ‘General Dentistry’ 20 min with 2 examiners (cases, x-rays and discussions).
2- Viva for Elective ‘Specialty’ 2 sessions, 25 min each (a case + discussion).

27. Elective
•I. Oral Medicine, Oral Surgery, Oral Pathology
•II. Restorative Dentistry and Periodontics
•III. Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics

28. Written exams
Candidates complete two three-hour papers, one in
General Dentistry and one in the chosen Elective. The
General Dentistry paper comprises compulsory short-
answer questions and both compulsory and optional long-
answer questions. The Elective paper comprises one
compulsory essay question and a choice of two
•of three long-answer questions.

29. Clinical and viva voce (oral) exams
• The purpose of these components is to assess the ability of a candidate to
effectively communicate their knowledge and demonstrate their thinking
process.
• Candidates will be required to discuss a diagnosis of the clinical problem
presented, an optimal treatment plan, and possible alternative treatment
plans.
• Case material is selected to give candidates an opportunity to demonstrate
their clinical acumen drawing from their knowledge and experience in
general practice dentistry. Case material is varied during the examination.

30. Fee:
- Enrolment or re-enrolment (valid for a maximum 6 year period): $ 610
- Exemption from sitting the primary examination: $ 1,097
- Final examination – general dental practice (January 2015)
- Registration for enrolled candidate: $ 2,517
- Registration for unsuccessful 2013 enrolled candidate – part I or part II
only: $1,500

31. Examination calendar

34. Senior specialist
to consultant
Degree
- FRACDS + 4
years of Clinical
Experience or
- FRACDS +
Master

35. Thank you