What happens in the MFDS Part 2 exam
The Diploma of Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (MFDS) Part 2 is a postgraduate dental Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) run by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (intercollegiately) and the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Pitched at the level of a dentist towards the end of Dental Foundation Training / early Dental Core Training, it assesses communication skills, clinical history taking, diagnosis, treatment planning, clinical governance, therapeutics and management of medical emergencies across timed OSCE stations.
Checked against the official sources on 24 October 2026.
The parts, in order
Timed OSCE encounters (7 minutes in the station after reading time) interacting with a simulated patient or parent to take a focused dental and medical history, explain a diagnosis, obtain valid consent, break bad news or address a complaint or ethical dilemma.
Timed examiner-led OSCE stations assessing diagnostic interpretation of dental radiographs and clinical photographs, phased multidisciplinary treatment planning, Dental Practitioners' Formulary prescribing, cross-infection control and acute medical emergencies.
How it is marked
Examiners score each OSCE station using structured domain mark sheets covering information gathering, clinical reasoning and diagnosis, treatment planning and management, and patient-centred communication and professionalism.
Passing
The overall pass mark for the MFDS Part 2 OSCE circuit is standard-set across the active stations using borderline regression. Candidates must pass MFDS Part 1 before sitting MFDS Part 2.
Worth knowing
- The MFDS Part 2 OSCE contains no operative dental manikin (phantom head) exercises; all stations assess clinical reasoning, communication, interpretation of investigations or structured viva discussion.
- MedMock practises eight 7-minute MFDS Part 2 station types (each after 2 minutes of reading time) spanning patient history, consent, breaking bad news and candour, paediatric consultation, prescribing and infection control, diagnostic and treatment planning, and medical emergencies.
Sources
- Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh: MFDS Part 2 Examination
- Royal College of Surgeons of England: MFDS Examination
Formats change. MedMock is not affiliated with any examining body; always check the current regulations on the official site before you book.
Practise the MFDS Part 2 out loud
MedMock runs spoken MFDS Part 2 practice with AI and marks every session. Start with a £5 taster: 30 credits: 30 minutes of speaking practice. One-off payment, no subscription.
Start with the £5 taster