adc general overview of the adc exam

8/11/2019 ADC General Overview of the ADC Exam

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July 2012 v2 Page: 1 of 11

Contact information

Tel + 61 3 9657 1777 Fax + 61 3 9657 1766

Website: http://www.adc.org.au Email: [email protected]

Address: Ground Floor, 120 Jolimont Road East Melbourne Vic 3002 AustraliaABN 70 072 269 900

Information about the Australian Dental Councils assessment

and examination pathway for overseas qualified dentists

Who can practise as a dentist in Australia?

If you wish to practise as a dentist in Australia you must be registered with the Dental Board of

Australia, which is the regulatory authority for the dental profession in Australia.

How do you become registered with the Dental Board of Australia?

The Dental Board of Australia has published a number of Registration Standards that define the

requirements applicants need to meet to be registered. The Board has also published a list of approved

qualifications that are required for general registration (seehttp://www.ahpra.gov.au/Education/Approved-

Programs-of-Study.aspx). The Dental Board of Australias website has detailed information about the

requirements and process for registration as a dentist (seehttp://www.dentalboard.gov.au/).

Are your qualifications approved by the Dental Board of Australia?

If your qualifications in dentistry do not meet the Dental Board of Australias requirements for

registration to practise in Australia, there are two options available. The first is to complete an

Australian qualification that is approved by the Dental Board (see the Approved Programs of Study

listed on the Boards website). A second pathway is to undertake the Australian Dental Councils

assessment and examination pathway.

Overview of the ADCs assessment and examination pathway for overseas qualified dentists

There are four steps in the Australian Dental Councils (ADC) assessment and examination pathway for

dentists. They are:

When all four steps have been successfully completed a candidate is awarded the Australian Dental

Council Certificate (General Dentist) which enables him or her to apply for registration with the Dental

Board of Australia to practise in all states and territories of Australia.

How to Apply

Complete theApplicationfor Initial Assessment of Professional Qualifications in Dentistry (see

http://www.adc.org.au/ADC%20Assessment%20Application.pdf)

Send your completed Application with accompanying documentation and fee to:

Australian Dental Council

Ground Floor, 120 Jolimont Road

East Melbourne Vic 3002

Australia

InitialAssessment1

EnglishLanguage

Test2

Preliminary(Written)

Examination3

Final(Clinical)

Examination4
http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Education/Approved-Programs-of-Study.aspxhttp://www.ahpra.gov.au/Education/Approved-Programs-of-Study.aspxhttp://www.ahpra.gov.au/Education/Approved-Programs-of-Study.aspxhttp://www.ahpra.gov.au/Education/Approved-Programs-of-Study.aspxhttp://www.dentalboard.gov.au/http://www.dentalboard.gov.au/http://www.dentalboard.gov.au/http://www.adc.org.au/ADC%20Assessment%20Application.pdfhttp://www.adc.org.au/ADC%20Assessment%20Application.pdfhttp://www.adc.org.au/ADC%20Assessment%20Application.pdfhttp://www.adc.org.au/ADC%20Assessment%20Application.pdfhttp://www.adc.org.au/ADC%20Assessment%20Application.pdfhttp://www.adc.org.au/ADC%20Assessment%20Application.pdfhttp://www.dentalboard.gov.au/http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Education/Approved-Programs-of-Study.aspxhttp://www.ahpra.gov.au/Education/Approved-Programs-of-Study.aspx


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Steps in the ADCs assessment and examination pathwayfor overseas qualified dentists

Step 1. Initial AssessmentThe ADC assesses an overseas qualified dentists professional

qualifications in dentistry, work experience, registration history, good

standing and other matters and determines if you are eligible to proceed

with the examinations.

To apply for this initial assessment of eligibility to proceed with the

examinations you need to complete theApplicationfor Initial

Assessment of Professional Qualifications in Dentistry

Find out moreStep 1 -Initial Assessment further information

Step 2. English Language

Test

If you are assessed as eligible to proceed with the examinations, prior to

your acceptance into the ADC examinations you must pass an accepted

English language test.

The only tests accepted by the ADC are the following tests:

the IELTS academicmodule, with a minimum score of seven in each

of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking); or

the OET,with grades of A or Bin each of the four sub-tests (listening,

reading, writing and speaking).

All components or sub-tests of either test must be passed at the specified

level in a singlesitting. A pass in the IELTS or OET (at the specified level)

is valid for two years only.

Exemptions from the English language test requirement mayapply if your

secondary and tertiary education has been in English, in one of seven

specified countries.

Find out moreStep 2 - English Language Test further information

Step 3. Preliminary

(Written)

Examination

This is a written examination in multiple choice and short written answer

format. It is conducted twice a year, usually in Marchand September, in

locations across the world, including cities in all states and territories of

Australia.

Find out moreStep 3 - Preliminary (Written) Examination further

information

Step 4. Final (Clinical)

Examination

Candidates who have successfully completed the Preliminary

Examination are eligible to undertake the Final Examination.

This is a clinical examination. It is conducted over a full week period. The

Final Examination is organised in two series each year, a series Aand a

series B, at various venues only in Australia. There are multiple

examination sessions offered in each series, arranged at different times

throughout a number of months.

Find out moreStep 4 - Final (Clinical) Examination further information
http://www.adc.org.au/ADC%20Assessment%20Application.pdfhttp://www.adc.org.au/ADC%20Assessment%20Application.pdfhttp://www.adc.org.au/ADC%20Assessment%20Application.pdf


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Award of the ADC Certificate (General Dentist)

On successful completion of the English language test andboth the Preliminary andFinal Examinations,

you are eligible to receive theADC Certificate (General Dentist).

TheADC Certificate (General Dentist):

entitles you to apply for registration with the Dental Board of Australia;

is accepted by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship as evidence of

successful assessment by the ADC for overseas qualified dentists for visa purposes under

Australia's General Skilled Migration program.

Registration to practise

The Dental Board of Australia determines an applicants eligibility for registration. The Dental Board of

Australia has its own requirements and set of eligibility criteria (relating to: eg criminal history, English

languages skills, professional indemnity insurance etc), that need to be met before registration isgranted.

Find out more including the eligibility criteria, how to apply for registration, the fees payable on the

Dental Board of Australias website (seehttp://www.dentalboard.gov.au/)

Fees

A fee applies for each of the steps in the assessment and examination process.

The Fees Schedule (seehttp://www.adc.org.au/fees.pdf)provides current information on the ADCs fees

for the Initial Assessment of Eligibility, Preliminary Examination and Final Examination. Each fee for the

Preliminary and Final Examination allows only one attempt at the examination.

Fees must be paid by:

credit card (Visa or MasterCard only); or

bank cheque in Australian dollars made payable to The Australian Dental Council; or

Australian money order.

Withdrawal from any examination may result in a cancellation fee being charged.

There are also fees associated with the English language tests. Find out more

IELTS seehttp://www.ielts.org/

OET see http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/
http://www.dentalboard.gov.au/http://www.dentalboard.gov.au/http://www.dentalboard.gov.au/http://www.adc.org.au/fees.pdfhttp://www.adc.org.au/fees.pdfhttp://www.adc.org.au/fees.pdfhttp://www.ielts.org/http://www.ielts.org/http://www.ielts.org/http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/http://www.ielts.org/http://www.adc.org.au/fees.pdfhttp://www.dentalboard.gov.au/


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Information about the Australian Dental Councils assessment and

examination pathway for overseas qualified dentists

Step 1. Initial Assessmentfurther information

The first step in the assessment pathway is the assessment of the overseas qualified dentists

professional qualifications in dentistry.

The ADC assesses your professional qualifications in dentistry, work experience, registration history,

good standing and other matters to establish your eligibility to proceed with the examinations. This

assessment is based on the information you provide in the Application for Assessment of Professional

Qualifications in Dentistry (see http://www.adc.org.au/ADC%20Assessment%20Application.pdf). Overseas

qualified dentists may be eligible to undertake the ADC examination procedure if they hold a universitydental degree which was obtained after at least four years' full-time academic study at an

acknowledged university and they hold registration/licensure as a dentist in their country of training or

practice and there has been no withdrawal of registration or refusal to register.

The assessment of your application may take up to eight weeks from the date we receive the complete

application. A completeapplication includes all the required documentation which has been correctly

certified. Applications are processed in order of receipt.

You will be notified in writing if we need any additional information to process your application.

You will be notified in writing of the outcome of the Assessment and the next steps in the process.

Please note:

To prevent delays in assessment of your application please read the application form (including the

information sections) carefully and ensure you have provided all the relevant supporting

documentation and that the documents provided are correctly certified (refer to the Certification

Guidelines on the ADCs website)

Incomplete applications will result in assessment delays.


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Step 2. English Language Testfurther information

Good communication skills are an essential attribute for dental practitioners working in the Australian

community. English language proficiency is one aspect of good communication in the clinical practice

context. All overseas qualified dental practitioners who are applicants for the ADCs assessment and

examination pathway must demonstrate that they have a level of English language competency to

allow for good communication in the delivery of dental and oral health care.

The English language tests are designed to assess a candidates understanding and use of English in the

professional workplace. The result of the test helps determine whether a candidates general level of

English is sufficiently high to enable him or her to practise dentistry in Australia. Difficulties with this

test should alert the candidate to the possibility of difficulties with the later stages of the ADC

examinations.

If you are assessed as eligible to proceed with the examinations, prior to your acceptance into the ADC

examinations you must pass an accepted English language test.

Overseas qualified dentists are required to pass either of the following English language tests:

the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic module, with a minimum score

of sevenin each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking); or

the Occupational English Test (OET) with grades of A or Bin each of the four sub-tests (listening,

reading, writing and speaking).

All components or sub-tests of either test must be passed at the specified level in a singlesitting.

A pass in the IELTS or OET (at the specified level) is valid for two years only.

Candidates are required to hold a valid English language test pass at the closing date for applications for

each examination stage, ieat both the Preliminary Examination and at the Final Examination.

English language testing is administered and conducted independently of the ADC. Tests are held in

multiple locations within Australia and throughout the world, with several test periods each year.

Further information can be found at:

IELTS see http://www.ielts.org/

OET see http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/

Exemptions from English language testing requirements

The ADC may grant an exemption from the English language test requirements to candidates who

provide satisfactory evidence that they were educated and assessed in English at both secondarylevel

and in their relevant professional dental qualificationin one of the following seven countries:

Australia

Canada

New Zealand

Republic of Ireland

South Africa

United KingdomUnited States of America.

The ADC reserves the right at any time during the examination process to revoke an exemption and/or

require an applicant to undertake an English language test.
http://www.ielts.org/http://www.ielts.org/http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/http://www.ielts.org/


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Step 3. Preliminary (Written) Examinationfurther information

The Preliminary Examination is a written examination. It is designed to test the candidates knowledge

of the science and practice of dentistry and of clinical and technical procedures relevant to dental

practice in Australia.

If yourApplication for Initial Assessment of Professional Qualifications in Dentistryis successful you will

receive confirmation of your eligibility to undertake the Australian Dental Councils examinations. A

Preliminary Examination Applicationform will be sent to you to complete and return to the ADC. If you

do not apply to commence the examination process within two years you will be required to re-apply

for initial assessment.

Content and format of the Preliminary Examination

The Preliminary Examination consists of two Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) papers and a Short

Answer Question (SAQ) paper.

Previous examination papers are not available, but examples of multiple choice questions and short

answer questions are made available to candidates once they have enrolled in the examination.

Eligibility to undertake the Preliminary Examination

In order to be eligible to attempt the Preliminary Examination, at the closing date for the exam

candidates must have met the English language test requirements, either:

a satisfactory pass in an accepted English language test (valid for two years)OR

have been granted an exemption by the ADC from completing the English language test component

of the assessment pathway.

English language test results must be valid at the time of the Preliminary Examination closing dates01

June for the September examination and 01 December for the March examination.

A pass in the IELTS or OET at the specified level must have been obtained within two years prior to the

closing date for an examination.

Timetable for the Preliminary Examination

Examinations are conducted twice each year, usually during the first half of March and the first half ofSeptember.

The Preliminary Examination is held over two consecutive days.

Venues of the Preliminary Examination

The Preliminary Examination is offered in multiple locations within Australia and overseas.

The exact locations and venues of the examinations, together with pre-examination information, are

provided to applicants once they have been assessed as eligible to enter the examination process.

Candidates residing overseas may take the ADC Preliminary Examination at an overseas venue.

Availability of venues varies and some venues may not be available for a particular session. All visa andtravel arrangements are the responsibility of the candidate. Candidates should ensure that they are

able to travel to the nominated venue. If you are in Australia, you can sit the examination in any of the

state capital cities and some larger provincial centres.


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How many attempts can be made at the Preliminary Examination?

There is no restriction on the number of attempts allowed for this examination, but a new fee must be

paid for each attempt.

Preliminary Examination processes and procedures

Notification of Results

Candidates will be advised in writing by the ADC of the results of their Preliminary Examination as soon

as practicable. This is usually within 10 to 12 weeks after the date of the examination.

Verification of Results

Candidates who fail the Preliminary Examination may apply to ADC for verification of their results

within 28 days of the date of the letter notifying them of their results. Candidates must complete the

relevant application form (obtainable by contacting the ADC) and pay the applicable fee.

The verification process is a manual check to ensure that the results and grade notified to a candidate

are correct and in accord with the decisions of the examiners.

Validity of a pass in the Preliminary Examination

A pass in the Preliminary Examination is valid for eligibility to undertake the Final Examination for a

period of three years only.


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Step 4. Final (Clinical) Examinationfurther information

The Final Examination is a clinical assessment. It is designed to test the clinical competence of the

candidate in terms of dental knowledge, clinical skills and professional attitudes for the safe and

effective clinical practice of dentistry in the Australian community. Candidates will be examined at the

level of newly qualified graduates of Australian dental schools who are eligible for registration in

Australia.

Content and format of the Final Examination

The Final Examination includes the principal clinical disciplines grouped into three sections:Clinical Dentistry 1 (CD1) Operative Dentistry including Endodontics

Fixed Prosthodontics

Paediatric Dentistry

Clinical Dentistry 2 (CD2) Periodontics

Removable Prosthodontics

Treatment planning

Clinical Dentistry 3 (CD3) Oral Surgery

Oral Diagnosis

Oral Radiology and Radiography

Infection Control

Aspects of other clinical disciplines such as Orthodontics, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Pharmacologyand Preventive Dentistry may also be included within the sections.

The range of topics covered in the ADC final examination is based on the clinical curricula of Australian

dental schools with an emphasis on common conditions in the Australian community. Each section may

comprise a number of assessment tasks, some written, some clinical, some oral/viva relating to the

various components. Tasks may include assessment of patients who have periodontal disease and/or

require preventive, conservative or prosthetic treatment; taking intra-oral radiographs on a patient or

manikin; and a procedure on an adult patient or surgical manikin involving anaesthetising and

extracting one or more teeth. The patients participating in the Final Examination are drawn from a

similar pool of patients to those used to assess final year students in Australian dental schools.

The ADC Examinations Committee oversees the examination and uses a Panel of Examiners with broad

expertise over the range of disciplines covered in the ADC and dental school examinations.

Eligibility to undertake the Final Examination

Eligible candidates must undertake the Final Examination within three years of passing the Preliminary

Examination. In order to be eligible to sit for the Final Examination, at the closing date for the exam a

candidate must have passed the Preliminary Examination (pass valid for three years) and have a

satisfactory pass in an accepted English language test (valid for two years) or have been granted an

exemption from completing the English language test component of the assessment and examination

pathway.

Timetable for the Final Examinations

The Final Examination is held over six successive days.

Final examinations are organised in two series each year (Series A and Series B) with multiple

examination sessions offered in each series over a period of approximately six months.


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Appeal Procedures

Candidates who fail the Final Examination and who believe their performance in the examination has

been adversely affected may appeal against the procedures of a clinical examination only in thefollowing circumstances:

the procedural requirements and instructions, as specified in the current ADC Information

Handbook for Dentistry Candidatesand in formal communications and instructions for specific

examination sessions provided to candidates by the ADC Secretariat, were not followed in a

significant manner or to a significant extent; or

the candidates performance was adversely affected by significant deficiencies in the

examination proceduresbeyond the control of the candidate.

The standard set by the ADC for the Clinical Examination, the grade awarded to a candidate, or

personal illness experienced during an examination are not matters that are part of theprocedures of

a Final Examination and hence cannot be the basis of an appeal.Candidates need to contact the ADC Office to be sent a copy of the appeals guidelines. Appeals must be

lodged within 28 days of notification of the results of the examination. A fee applies for appeals.

Supplementary Examinations

A candidate may be granted a Supplementary Examination outcome in one section of the Final

Examination (ie CD1, CD2 or CD3) where the performance in that section is not graded as a bad fail

standard and where a clear pass standard has been achieved in the other two sections If a

supplementary examination is granted for a Final Examination attempt, a separate fee is payable for

this examination.

Monitoring of ExaminationsThe ADC constantly reviews the conduct of its examinations and seeks ways in which to improve the

examination pathway and processes.

Immune Status

Candidates sitting the Final Examination are required to treat members of the public as examination

patients and to perform exposure prone procedures as part of their assessment.

Australian health authorities and dental hospitals are committed to and have a responsibility to ensure

that the health of patients and staff is safeguarded. The ADC shares in this responsibility when it uses

these hospitals and clinics for the Final Examination.

Prior to giving an ADC candidate access to clinical facilities for examination purposes, dental hospitals

may require a routine assessment of disease history and immune status. Documentation may be

required for immunisation, immune response to immunisation and disease history for tuberculosis,

rubella, measles, mumps, chickenpox, herpes simplex virus, and Hepatitis B virus.

In some states of Australia, healthcare workers are required to be immunised for Hepatitis B and have

demonstrated levels of immunity. Candidates may be required to provide health authorities with copies

of dated records of completed Hepatitis B immunisations and serological screening results for Hepatitis

B, Hepatitis C and HIV.

Where required, dated records and test results are to be provided to health authorities prior to sitting

the Final Examination. Candidates presenting for earlier parts of the examination process should bemindful of this requirement for the Final Examination.

Any potential candidate for the Final Examination who is not able to perform exposure prone

procedures will not be able to undertake the examination. Candidates should ensure that they know


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their immune status and advise the ADC if they anticipate that they may not be able to meet the

requirements of hospitals and health authorities.

This information has been prepared by the Australian Dental Council for the information and guidance of overseas qualified dental

practitioners who wish to obtain recognition of their qualifications in Australia and become registered to practise within Australia. It is

intended as a guide only, and is not legally binding on any of the bodies or agencies listed. The information given is believed to be accurate at

the time of publication however requirements may vary from time to time.

adc general overview of the adc exam

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