Regulations

The following information details the Regulations of the MJDF examination which may also be downloaded as a pdf by clicking on the link.

 Jump to section:

1. Introduction
2. Eligibility for the award of the Diploma
3. Assessment structure
4. Process for application
5. Time restrictions on completing the Diploma
6. Infringement of the regulations
7. Appeals
8. Withdrawals from the examination
9. Exemptions
10. Appointment of examiners
11. Feedback to candidates
12. Procedure for successful candidates registering membership
13. Procedure for registration of Diploma with the General Dental Council (subject to GDC approval)
14. Disability and equal opportunities

1. Introduction

a. Aim of the assessment

The assessment is offered by the two faculties to assess the acquisition of competencies set out in the UK foundation training curriculum.

The aim of the MJDF examination is to assess knowledge, application of knowledge and  candidates' understanding of the structures and processes required to provide quality-assured dental healthcare. The examination is set at a standard comparable to that of all dental graduates who have completed a two-year foundation programme whether they are pursuing a career in general or specialist practice, in either primary or secondary care.

The assessment is not limited to recent graduates and is open to all practitioners.

b. Further information

Further information is published by the two faculties to guide candidates through this assessment. See in particular the complete Information for Candidates document.

c. General Dental Council policy on registering additional qualifications

At the time of publication (Nov 2011), the General Dental Council is not accepting new applications for registrable qualifications pending a review of its policy for approving such applications. On completion, the faculties will apply to the GDC for recognition as a registrable qualification.  

2. Eligibility for the award of the Diploma

The Diploma of Membership of the Joint Dental Faculties at The Royal College of Surgeons of England may be granted to those who:

1. Possess a primary dental qualification acceptable to the Boards of the dental faculties at The Royal College of Surgeons of England, and should normally be registered to practise dentistry in their country of residence;
2. Have completed 18 months’ full-time postgraduate experience in dentistry. Normally, equivalent part-time experience will be acceptable if gained over a period of three and a half years;
3. Have passed Parts 1 and 2 of the examination in accordance with the requirements set out in section 3 of these regulations;
4. Have complied with all the regulations.

3. Assessment structure

a. Part 1 examination

1. This examination will be held at least twice a year.
2. It will consist of one paper, based on the foundation training curriculum. assessing knowledge and applied knowledge. This will include different formats of multiple choice questions and multiple short answer questions.
3. This part of the examination may be taken at any point within clinical dentistry. Candidates do not need to have completed 12 months post graduate experience in order to sit the Part 1. 
4. Part 1 will stand alone, candidates being awarded either a pass or fail.
5. Candidates must pass Part 1 before proceeding to Part 2.

b. Part 2 examination

1. Candidates must have written confirmation of a pass in Part 1 before they may apply to sit Part 2. This should be Part 1 MJDF, the relevant passes in either MFGDP(UK) or MFDS as set out in paragraph 10 of these regulations, or other examinations accepted by, and detailed on the MJDF web pages of, the two faculties.
2. This examination will be held at least twice a year.
3. It will consist of an assessment using objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) and structured clinical reasoning (SCR) formats.
4. The examination will assess clinical skills and competencies and structured clinical reasoning.
5. This part of the examination may be taken at any point after completion of 12 months in clinical dentistry.
6. Candidates will be awarded a pass or fail.

See the Information for Candidates document for guidance on the examinations.

4. Process for application

Application forms can be accessed in the Information for Candidates section of this web site.

a. Applications process

1. Part 1 and Part 2 examination
   Applications for either Part 1 or 2 must reach the MJDF Examination Department by the closing date specified. Applications received after the date will not be processed.
   
   Applications for admission to any section of the assessment must be fully completed, accompanied by any supporting information specified in the application form and the full fee payable for any examination.
   
   If an application form is found to be incomplete, it will be returned to the applicant and no action taken until it is returned fully completed with the appropriate fee enclosed. Further guidance on the applications process is included in the Information for Candidates document.
2. Please note that candidates can be allocated to any of the dates within the Part 2 examination.  The Examinations Department are unable to consider requests for a specific examination date.
   

b. Examination fees

Fees payable for assessment of the Portfolio of Evidence, Part 1 and Part 2 examination will be as agreed, and from time to time amended, by the Faculty Boards, and will be set out in the Information for Candidates document.

c. Post-qualification experience

As set out in paragraph 3 c.v, to attempt Part 2 examination the candidate must have completed 12 months in clinical dentistry before the closing date for the examination. This is not the case for the Part 1 examination, as set out in paragraph 3 b.iii. To be awarded the MJDF Diploma, candidates must have completed 18 months in clinical dentistry in total, as set out in paragraph 2 b.

5. Time restrictions on completing the Diploma

Part 2 of the Diploma must normally be completed within five years of completion of passing Part 1.

6. Infringement of the regulations

The faculties may refuse to admit to the assessment or to proceed with the assessment of any candidate who infringes any of the regulations or who is considered by the examiners to be guilty of behaviour prejudicial to the proper management and conduct of the examination. See the separate joint faculty policy relating to malpractice.

7. Appeals

Appeals will be dealt with in accordance with the separately specified joint faculty appeals procedure relating to assessments.

Candidates who wish to make representations with regard to their eligibility for the examination must address them to the faculties in accordance with arrangements set out in the appeal procedures, and within three months of the initial decision.

Candidates who wish to make representations with regard to the conduct of their assessment must address them to the faculties in accordance with arrangements set out in the appeals procedure, and not in any circumstances to the assessors. Representations must be made to the faculties as specified in the appeals procedure within 28 days of the announcement of the result.

8. Withdrawals from the examination

Candidates wishing to withdraw an application for admission to an examination must do so in writing, and will be refunded the fee less a 20% administrative charge provided that the withdrawal is received before the closing date of the examination.

Candidates who withdraw from the examination after the closing date, or who fail to attend the examination for which the candidate has been accepted, will not normally be entitled to any refund of fee. The transfer of examination fees to future diets will only be granted under exceptional circumstances, such as on medical or compassionate grounds or other similar event beyond the candidate’s control. Requests for transfer of fees must be accompanied by a supporting letter from the candidate’s general medical practitioner, postgraduate dental dean or a local tutor in order to be considered.

Requests for a refund under exceptional circumstances, such as on medical or compassionate grounds or other similar events beyond the candidate's control, must also be accompanied by a supporting letter from the candidate’s general medical practitioner, postgraduate dental dean or local tutor in order to be considered.  The supporting material must also explain the reasons why the fees cannot be deferred.

Failure to comply with the regulations, or failure to meet the eligibility requirements, will not be considered sufficient grounds for a refund.

The faculties reserve the right to review admission to the examination on an individual basis in exceptional circumstances.

9. Exemptions

Candidates who have gained a pass in an equivalent examination acceptable to the two faculties are exempt from Part 1 of the MJDF. Details of acceptable examinations are detailed in the Information for Candidates document.

10. Appointment of examiners

The appointment of examiners will be carried out in accordance with such procedures as are agreed by the Boards of both faculties.

11. Feedback to candidates

Feedback will be provided to all unsuccessful candidates with their result letters. Any successful candidate wishing for feedback will need to request this in writing.

12. Procedure for successful candidates registering membership 

Passing the MJDF means that successful candidates will be eligible for full membership of the dental faculties via payment of a joint membership subscription fee, which will be available to them for a period of six years, following completion. The annual membership fee entitles candidates use of the post nominal letters (MJDF) after their name. At the end of this six-year period, holders of the MJDF Diploma may choose to join either Faculty or continue with membership of both, in accordance with such membership categories and the annual membership fees that may be prescribed at that time.

13. Procedure for registration of the Diploma with the General Dental Council (subject to GDC approval)

Subject to the considerations in paragraph 1 c, the successful candidate’s name will be added to a list sent to the General Dental Council for registration of the candidate’s diploma as an additional registrable qualification.

14. Disability and equal opportunities

Regulations relating to disability and equal opportunities are detailed in the joint faculties’ policy statement.