The LDS explained
The Licence in Dental Surgery is the second route to full GDC registration for dentists qualified outside the UK. This guide explains who can sit it, how it works and how it compares with the ORE.
What is the LDS?
The Licence in Dental Surgery (LDS) is awarded by the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England). It is designed for dentists whose primary qualification is from outside the UK. Passing it allows you to register with the General Dental Council (GDC) and practise in the UK, just like the ORE.
Most international dentists take the ORE. In 2025, the ORE accounted for about 10% of all dentists joining the GDC register and the LDS for about 2%, according to the GDC’s registration report as reported by Dentistry.co.uk. The LDS is still a real alternative, especially if its format suits you better.
The three parts
| Part | Format | Fee listed per sitting | Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | Online, monitored remotely (you need a computer with a webcam and microphone, plus a second camera). Two papers, each with 150 single best answer questions and a three-hour limit. Paper A: clinically applied dental science and human disease. Paper B: clinical dentistry, law and ethics, and health and safety. You must pass both papers in the same sitting. | £1,025 | 4 |
| Part 2 | In person, at the Royal College in London, over two days. A 12-station OSCE (seven minutes per station) and structured clinical reasoning: six 20-minute cases discussed with examiners. The two components are taken on separate days, and you must pass both in the same sitting. | £1,793 | 3 |
| Part 3 | In person, one day. A three-hour operative assessment on a dental manikin. | £1,736 | 3 |
The RCS England pages show a lower headline fee for each part (£900, £1,575 and £1,525) and the higher amounts above for upcoming sittings. Fees can change, so check the RCS England LDS page before you book. After you pass Part 3 there is also a £230 completion fee.
Who can sit the LDS?
- A final degree certificate. A provisional certificate is not accepted. If your degree is not from a UK school or a body the GDC accepts, you also need a UK ENIC (NARIC) certificate.
- Clinical experience. At least 1,600 hours in the dental chair, confirmed by referees. Your dental school dean must verify the hours from your primary qualification.
- English. IELTS with at least 7.0 overall and no section below 6.5, taken within the last two years. A TOEFL alternative exists. Candidates with a recent primary dental qualification taught and examined entirely in English, or recent continuous practice in an English-first country, may be exempt.
- Other documents. A valid passport, a character reference from a registered professional, and a Certificate of Good Standing no more than three months old.
Rules to know
- You must pass Part 1 before you apply for Part 2, and Part 2 before Part 3. You can enter only one part at a time.
- After you pass Part 1, you have five years to pass the remaining parts.
- Places are given first come, first served. Withdrawals before the closing date are refunded minus a 20% administration charge.
- All parts are in English.
- To register with the GDC after Part 3, you sign a health declaration, or provide hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV certificates from an accredited UK laboratory.
The LDS has changed
From spring 2026 the LDS assesses the GDC’s Safe Practitioner Framework. In Part 2, structured clinical reasoning replaced the unseen case component, and the June 2026 sitting was the first to use it. Dentistry.co.uk reported that candidates complained about a lack of sample cases and feedback, and that some described a very low pass rate at one sitting. The college does not publish pass rates, and it says the pass standard did not change. Prepare carefully for the new format.
ORE or LDS?
| ORE (GDC) | LDS (RCS England) | |
|---|---|---|
| Awarded by | General Dental Council | Royal College of Surgeons of England |
| Structure | Part 1 and Part 2 | Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 |
| Part 1 | Two computer-based papers, taken in person | Two papers, taken online with remote monitoring |
| Practical | Part 2: manikin, OSCE, diagnosis and treatment planning, medical emergencies | Part 2: OSCE and structured clinical reasoning. Part 3: manikin |
| Attempts | 4 per part | 4 at Part 1, 3 at Part 2, 3 at Part 3 |
| Time limit | Part 2 within 5 years of first attempting Part 1 | All parts within 5 years of passing Part 1 |
| Exam fees, one attempt each | About £7,567 including the £115 application fee | About £4,784 including the £230 completion fee |
| Result | Full GDC registration | Full GDC registration |
The fee totals add up the listed fees for one attempt at each part. Travel, accommodation, preparation and any VAT are extra.
Thinking about the LDS? We are looking at preparation support for the LDS alongside our ORE Preparation Programme. Tell us what you need and we will keep you informed.
This guide is for general information. Rules, fees and dates are set by the GDC and the Home Office and can change, so always check their websites before you act. Knightsbridge Academy is a training provider, not a regulator or an immigration adviser.
More guides for international dentists
Become a dentist in the UK
The full route from your degree to GDC registration, in seven clear steps.
Read the guide →The examThe ORE explained
Eligibility, Part 1, Part 2, fees, the LDS route and how to apply.
Read the guide →Life and workWorking as a dentist in the UK
Ways of working, settlement, citizenship and family life.
Read the guide →Ready to start your UK journey?
Join our ORE Preparation Programme, or write to us and we will plan your steps with you.