The Royal School of Surgeons of England (RCS England) defended its redesigned Licence in Dental Surgical operation (LDS) review after applicants raised considerations about an ‘exceptionally low’ move fee.
The varsity mentioned the exam used to be honest, coated subject matter throughout the revealed syllabus and Common Dental Council (GDC) framework, and were set at a suitable usual.
Dentistry heard experiences from applicants that simply 5 dentists in a cohort of round 95 had handed a contemporary LDS sitting – a far decrease fee than in earlier years. The move fee isn’t launched publicly, so can’t be verified via Dentistry.
RCS England advised Dentistry that adjustments to the LDS review didn’t mirror a elevating or decreasing of the move usual, however reasonably ‘the up to date skilled requirements in opposition to which dentists are actually anticipated to show competence’.
For instance, the exam board famous: ‘Some applicants weren’t ready to show the related wisdom and abilities required via the professionalism and self-management sections of the GDC’s new Protected Practitioner Framework.’
RCS England mentioned: ‘We recognise that adjustments to the exam could also be difficult for some applicants. Alternatively, it is very important that every one applicants show that they meet the desired usual.’
What adjustments had been made to the LDS?
From spring 2026, the LDS transitioned to assessing the GDC’s new Protected Practitioner Framework, in keeping with the GDC’s necessities for all coaching suppliers.
RCS England mentioned: ‘For the June and July 2026 LDS Phase 2 sittings in particular, applicants had been anticipated to show the Protected Practitioner Framework results mapped to the Phase 2 elements within the LDS syllabus, together with the related results within the professionalism and self-management domain names, at the usual anticipated of a BDS-qualified dentist who’s protected to practise in the United Kingdom.’
There have been additionally adjustments to the Phase 2 review itself. The Structured Scientific Reasoning (SCR) element changed the former Unseen Case element.
RCS England mentioned this modification used to be agreed with the GDC to offer clearer delineation between the review goals of the 2 Phase 2 elements and to verify efficient protection of the Protected Practitioner Framework finding out results.
The varsity stressed out that those adjustments had been communicated on its website online in October 2025, with details about the Protected Practitioner Framework and the SCR element.
Applicants advised Dentistry that regardless of this important trade, there have been no pattern circumstances, marking rubrics or transparent steerage to assist them get ready.
RCS England urged that applicants who had been unsuccessful in passing the LDS stay entitled to attraction their end result. Alternatively, it persevered: ‘An attraction can’t be made just because a candidate used to be ignorant of the review necessities or needs to problem the educational or skilled judgement of the examiners.’
The examiner additional inspired applicants to confer with the LDS syllabus and the school’s data at the transition to the Protected Practitioner Framework.
It concluded: ‘We regularly evaluation how we toughen applicants within the exam procedure, together with data on exam structure and protection in assessing the results of the GDC’s Protected Practitioner Framework.’
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