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Dentistry: Assessments

Asked by Susan MurrayLiberal DemocratDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 25 March 2025UIN 38753

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that British dentists have access to Licence in Dental Surgery examinations.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock

The Licence in Dental Surgery (LDS) exam is operated by the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCSEng), and the exam is regulated by the General Dental Council (GDC). There are no restrictions to accessing the exam based on British residency status.

It is the role of the GDC to approve eligibility criteria for the exam, which is proposed by the RCSEng as its operator. The GDC is independent of the Government. The RCSEng continues to increase the capacity of the LDS exam to ensure more candidates can access a place.

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