Diploma of Primary Care Dentistry (DPCD) RCSI: Exam Guide

The Diploma of Primary Care Dentistry (DPCD) RCSI, also written Dip PCD RCSI, is an international postgraduate dental examination for qualified dentists. It is awarded by the Faculty of Dentistry of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and is available to eligible candidates online from anywhere in the world.

This guide explains what the DPCD exam is, who can sit it, the current question format, the number of questions, the pass-mark position, upcoming dates, and how to register through the official RCSI application portal.

What is the Diploma of Primary Care Dentistry?

The DPCD RCSI is a clinically focused postgraduate examination covering the knowledge, understanding and clinical competence needed for primary care dentistry. The exam has a strong emphasis on clinical practice and is designed for dentists working in, or preparing for, general and primary dental care.

Successful candidates are awarded the Diploma of Primary Care Dentistry of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. The qualification may also allow successful candidates to enter directly into the MFD RCSI Part 2 examination, subject to the relevant MFD regulations.

The DPCD is an examination qualification rather than a taught university degree or a separate licence to practise dentistry. It does not replace the registration requirements of a national dental regulator.

For the official qualification description, see the RCSI Faculty of Dentistry DPCD page.

Who can sit the DPCD RCSI exam?

To be eligible, a candidate must hold an undergraduate dental qualification recognised by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

RCSI states that the examination may be taken at any time after graduation from dental school. The current public entry requirements do not state that candidates must have a particular number of years of clinical experience before sitting the exam.

Candidates should confirm that their specific dental qualification is acceptable before applying. Recognition of the undergraduate degree is decided by RCSI; holding a dental qualification from another country does not automatically guarantee eligibility.

The exam is conducted in English.

DPCD RCSI exam format

From examinations held from 1 October 2026 onwards, the DPCD is a three-hour online written paper containing two sections:

Multiple-choice questions

Each of the 150 MCQs contains:

• one question stem;
• one correct, keyed response; and
• two plausible but incorrect distractors.

Candidates select the option that best satisfies the question stem and reflects the intended learning outcome or competency.

Single-best-answer questions

The 30 SBA questions require candidates to select the best or most appropriate answer from the options provided.

The assessment is completed online through a third-party examination platform. Candidates enter their answers electronically rather than using a paper answer sheet.

How many questions are on the DPCD exam?

For the revised examination format from October 2026, there are:

• 150 MCQs
• 30 SBAs
• 180 questions altogether
• 3 hours of examination time

Older DPCD guides may state that the exam contains 75 True/False MCQ stems with five branches, creating 375 True/False decisions, plus 33 SBAs. That was the previous format and applied up to 30 September 2026. Candidates sitting the revised examination should prepare for the new 150-MCQ and 30-SBA structure.

What is the DPCD pass mark?

RCSI does not publish a fixed DPCD pass mark on its current public exam page or revised regulations. No official percentage pass mark is stated in the sources reviewed.

Candidates should therefore avoid relying on unofficial claims such as “you need 50%” or “the pass mark is 60%” unless RCSI confirms the figure directly for the relevant sitting. The exam regulations state that successful candidates who comply with the regulations are awarded the diploma, but they do not specify a public numerical pass threshold.

RCSI may also withhold or annul results, or require candidates to retake part of the examination, if examination security has been compromised.

What does the DPCD syllabus cover?

The DPCD syllabus is broad and focuses on the full scope of primary care dentistry. Key areas include:

• restorative dentistry;
• prosthodontics;
• periodontics;
• endodontics;
• preventive dentistry;
• paediatric dentistry;
• special-care dentistry;
• oral surgery and oral medicine;
• orthodontics relevant to primary care;
• biomaterials;
• local anaesthesia and sedation;
• therapeutics and prescribing;
• diagnostic skills and radiology;
• applied biological sciences;
• evaluation of scientific literature;
• infection prevention and control;
• clinical records;
• medical emergencies;
• ethical and legal issues;
• risk management and complaints;
• clinical governance and audit;
• communication and teamwork; and
• dental public health.

The official DPCD, MFD and MGDS syllabus and guidance notes should be treated as the main syllabus document for preparation.

Upcoming DPCD exam date

At the time of writing, the RCSI postgraduate examination portal lists the next DPCD online sitting as:

Exam dates, application windows, quotas and fees can change. RCSI also states that applications may close early if the maximum number of candidates is reached. Candidates should check the live RCSI postgraduate examinations application portal before relying on the date or deadline.

DPCD exam fee

The RCSI DPCD information page lists the examination fee as €700. The fee shown in the live application portal is the amount that should be treated as authoritative for the sitting selected during registration.

Check the portal carefully before payment because fees and application listings may be updated between exam cycles.

How to register for the DPCD RCSI exam

Candidates register online through the RCSI postgraduate examinations system.

Step 1: Check eligibility

Make sure you hold an undergraduate dental qualification recognised by RCSI. If you are unsure, contact RCSI before submitting an application.

Step 2: Read the official regulations

Review the DPCD RCSI regulations, including the entry requirements, revised exam format, conduct rules, attempts and exemptions.

Step 3: Review the official syllabus

Read the official syllabus and guidance notes and use the RCSI sample questions to understand the style of the assessment.

Step 4: Open the application portal

Go to the RCSI postgraduate examination application portal and locate the listing for DPCD — Diploma of Primary Care Dentistry.

RCSI’s DPCD page also provides an Apply Now link.

Step 5: Submit the application before the deadline

The application must be received by the stated closing date. RCSI warns that a sitting may reach its maximum quota before the advertised deadline, so applying early is advisable.

The application must include the required certificates and the full examination fee. Once the application has been processed, RCSI issues confirmation and an examination number.

Step 6: Prepare your equipment

The published RCSI technology requirements include:

• a reliable internet connection, preferably hardwired Ethernet;
• a laptop or computer with at least 4 GB RAM;
• an Intel Core i3 processor or equivalent;
• a working webcam, microphone and speakers;
• a mobile phone with a rear-facing camera; and
• a supported Windows or Mac computer.

Chromebooks, tablets and Surface Pro devices are not accepted under the published requirements. Candidates should follow the most recent technical instructions supplied for their examination sitting.

Can you retake the DPCD exam?

RCSI states that there is no limit on the number of attempts. However, examiners may defer a candidate for two years if the candidate’s performance is such that sitting the examination again sooner is not considered to be in the candidate’s best interest.

There are no exemptions from any part of the examination.

Is the DPCD available worldwide?

Yes. RCSI describes the DPCD as an international exam available to eligible dentists worldwide. The exam is delivered online, allowing candidates to sit it from their location of choice, subject to the technical and examination-platform requirements.

Worldwide availability does not mean automatic regulatory recognition in every country. If you need the diploma for registration, immigration, specialist training or employment, check with the relevant regulator or organisation in that jurisdiction.

DPCD versus MFD Part 1

The DPCD and MFD Part 1 are different RCSI examination routes. The DPCD is more clinically focused, while MFD Part 1 includes a larger basic-science component. Passing the DPCD can provide access to MFD Part 2 under the RCSI rules.

The better option depends on your career plan, preferred syllabus and whether you want the DPCD qualification itself. Candidates should compare the current regulations for both exams before registering.

Final checklist before applying

Before submitting your DPCD application, confirm that you have:

• an undergraduate dental qualification recognised by RCSI;
• checked the current exam date and application deadline;
• read the revised regulations;
• reviewed the official syllabus;
• prepared the required certificates;
• checked the live examination fee;
• tested your computer, webcam, microphone and internet connection; and
• allowed enough time for the application to be processed before the sitting.

Official RCSI sources

• RCSI Diploma of Primary Care Dentistry exam page
• RCSI DPCD regulations
• RCSI postgraduate examination application portal
• RCSI DPCD syllabus and guidance notes
• RCSI DPCD sample questions