HANDBOOK
The GDP Handbook contains detailed program information:

• Program requirements
• Modules
• Examinations 
• Application forms

EXAM / ASSESSMENT TIMETABLE

Membership (MRACDS) in General Dental Practice

How To Apply
1	You will first need to subscribe to the College.
2	Once subscribed to the College you will then enrol in the MRACDS(GDP) Program.
3	Find out all you need to know about General Dental Practice pathways in the GDP Handbook, or by emailing ellen.dunphy@racds.org.

Definition of RACDS Membership (GDP)

It is a requirement of the MRACDS(GDP) that you must have graduated at least 3 years prior to enrolling into the program (2020 intake).

Membership is the first level of achievement in the progression of professional development with the RACDS.

A Member of the College:

1. Maintains high ethical standards and is a role model for others in the profession.

2. Is a skilled and highly competent practitioner who has a broad base of experience in general dental practice.

3. Has breadth and depth of comprehensive scientific knowledge relevant to the practice of dentistry.

4. Through comprehensive study and assessment has shown that this knowledge can be applied in clinical problem solving scenarios with proven ability in treatment planning and risk management that promotes better treatment outcomes.

The MRACDS(GDP) Program
The MRACDS(GDP) Program is a modular educational program for general dental practitioners (who have graduated at least 3 years prior to the program commencing) which supports the ongoing acquisition of knowledge and skills relevant to practice and provides a systematic approach to Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The program is intended to be flexible and can be tailored to a candidate’s interests and schedule. Assessments are completed at a candidate’s own pace over a two year period. The program has a limited intake of 30 candidates per calendar year with places allocated on a ‘first-come first served’ basis.

The program runs from February to November each year with assessment rounds taking place three times per year in March, June and October. The program is predominantly self-directed with the onus of responsibility resting with the candidate to complete assessments and submit case reports. By the end of the program, candidates will have completed 120 hours of Continued Professional Development (CPD).

MRACDS(GDP) is an achievable step to RACDS Membership and an alternate pathway towards obtaining Fellowship.

• core modules (six compulsory subjects) which are assessed via eight Short Answer Questions (SAQs) per subject
• 120 hours of Continued Professional Development (CPD) over the course of the two year program
• 3 viva voce examinations at the completion of the 3 above assessments

• The equivalent of 120 hours appropriate CPD courses to underpin core and elective modules
• Selected reading and self-paced education
• Assessment components (open book short answer questions, case reports and a viva voce examination)

• Clinical Examination Technique and Dental Imaging
• Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
• Infection Control
• Medical Emergencies
• Practice Management, Law, Ethics and Risk Management
• Therapeutics in Dentistry, Pain and Pain Management

• Endodontics
• Periodontics
• Dentoalveolar Surgery
• Operative Dentistry and Prosthodontics
• Combined Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Special Needs Dentistry
• Combined Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics

There are 8 open-book short answer questions (SAQs) for each of the six (6) core modules. These questions are designed to be clinically relevant and appropriate for competent general dental practitioners.

Assessment rounds take place three times per year and are run over a period of five consecutive weekends per round. Candidates may apply for a maximum of one module per weekend for each assessment round and must nominate the date/s and module/s they wish to apply for one month prior to the round.

Assessment rounds
Candidates must complete 3 elective modules which focus on speciality interest areas of clinical dentistry. The three chosen elective modules are assessed via submission of one case report per elective that covers the candidate’s personal treatment of cases representing the broad range of issues covered in the chosen elective. The aim of this assessment component is to enable candidates to present their own clinical work and also to reflect on the treatment provided. It enables discussion of possible alternatives, modifications of treatment or issues raised during treatment.

Mentoring Program

An experienced mentor is provided for each MRACDS(GDP) candidate. The mentor will assist their candidate with professional guidance, advice and general support related to the program.
 
The MRACDS(GDP) mentoring pathways

Stage One
All candidates in the MRACDS(GDP) Program will be assigned a mentor from Orientation Day until the second assessment round. In this time, candidates are encouraged to seek mentoring advice on the program expectations and requirements, support and advice in locating relevant and appropriate resources, support in reviewing pre-assessment material and advice and support during assessment resubmission.

Stage Two
At the end of the following assessment round of the year (three months into the program for new candidates), candidates will be asked to choose one of the following options:

Opt-In – Long Term Mentoring
Candidates who would like to retain their mentoring relationship will be required to opt-in to long term mentoring. In this instance, candidates will maintain contact with their mentor on a regular basis (once every four weeks), for the duration of their time in the program. Long term mentoring will include support in all assessment areas including assessment rounds, case report submissions and viva voce preparation.

Opt-Out – Access to Short term mentoring
Candidates who choose to opt-out will be removed from the mentoring arrangement but will have access to short term, specific mentoring on request. Candidates who have an issue with a particular subject or require assistance with one aspect of the program (such as viva voce preparation) will be able to write to the College to request a mentor to assist with that particular area. The arrangement will be agreed on by both mentor and mentee, and the relationship will cease on completion of the task (i.e. assessment/case submission or viva voce) as arranged.

Conjoint Examination with the College of Dental Surgeons of Hong Kong
Candidates undertaking the Membership in General Dentistry program with the College of Dental Surgeons of Hong Kong, can elect to undertake a conjoint examination leading to the MRACDS(GDP).

       
 

Subscription to the College is a prerequisite for enrolment. Enrolment for the following year’s intake open in September. Program enrolment forms are available for downloading.

2. How and when are MRACDS assessments conducted?

Assessments are conducted three times a year. They consist of open book short answer questions (SAQs) and case reports. SAQs are emailed each Friday evening during the assessment periods (February, May and September) and must be completed and returned via email 48 hours later. Case reports may be submitted at any time.

Three viva voce exams are conducted in March, July and November of each year. These currently take place in Sydney, although this may expand to more cities in the future.

3. Is there an orientation day for the MRACDS course?

An orientation day is held in late January or early February each year. The induction day covers essential elements of the program and gives candidates the opportunity to meet each other, and key RACDS representatives and mentors.

4. Is the MRACDS program open to dentists residing outside Australia?

Currently the MRACDS General Dental Practice Program is open to registrants residing in Australia and New Zealand only.

5. How many places are there in the MRACDS(GDP) program?

Each year there are up to 30 places available.

6. What are the assessment submission expectations in the MRACDS Program?

Please see the table below