Practical examination questions

It is your responsibility to notify the ADC of any changes to your contact information.

If you have changed your contact details, notify us as soon as possible using the Notification of change of contact details form. You can download the form here. 

The ADC will not accept responsibility for the non-receipt of correctly addressed emails, correspondence or other communications.

For applicants living in India, Africa or the Middle East, please allow four to six weeks for mail travel to and from Australia.

The Practical examination handbook provides detailed information on the format and conduct of the practical examination. The latest edition of the handbook can be found here. 
 

The content of the practical examination is based on the expected competencies of a recently qualified Australian dental practitioner at the point of graduation from an ADC accredited dental program.

You can view the competencies here.

The practical examination is designed to assess clinical competence and uses simulation to assess this. Practical examination tasks are designed to reflect common and/or important real-life scenarios.

The Practical examination handbook is a guide for the practical examination. It includes information regarding the conduct of the practical examination and about the type of tasks you may be expected to complete during the examination. You can view the handbook here. 

You will be provided with registration times for both examination days. You should allow sufficient time to get to the examination centre in case of any transport or other delays.

We cannot guarantee that you will be able to enter a practical examination if you arrive after the start time. Late entry will be at the discretion of the convenor. No additional examination time will be granted.

Yes.

To obtain a pass in the practical examination, you must achieve a pass in both days of the examination.

Practical examination results are released approximately six weeks following your examination date, but can take longer. 

At this time, practical examination results are being released approximately eight to 10 weeks following the examination. 

If you do not pass the practical examination you may apply to sit another practical examination, provided your written examination is still valid. Subject to availability. 

No credits or exemptions will be granted for previous practical examination attempts.

Once you have successfully completed the ADC practical examination, you will be awarded an ADC certificate (general dentist) which will be available for download via the candidate portal.

You are then eligible to apply to the Dental Board of Australia (DBA) for registration. Visit the DBA website for more information regarding registration.

No, examinations cannot be rescheduled for another time or transferred to an alternate examination date.

If you wish to sit an examination at another date, you need to withdraw from your current exam and submit a new application form and payment during the next application period.

If you wish to withdraw from a practical examination, you must submit a Notification of withdrawal from an ADC examination form directly to the ADC.

You can download the form here. 

If your date of examination is imminent, you may submit your form via email and subsequently post your completed form and supporting documentation to the ADC. A withdrawal is considered confirmed upon receipt of hard copies of all required forms and documentation via post.

The ADC will respond to you in writing. 

The ADC cannot grant exemptions from the requirements of the practical examination under any circumstance.

You are eligible apply for a practical examination if you hold a valid written examination pass (subject to any other eligibility requirements that may apply).

A pass in a written examination is valid for three years from the date of notification of the examination result.

Eligible candidates can sit a practical examination by completing the practical examination application form relevant to your profession and submitting the hard copy form and relevant documentation to the ADC via post within the designated application period.

Candidates should observe the application periods and requirements published on the ADC website. 

We cannot accept:

• electronic applications
• incomplete or incorrect applications
• applications without payment
• applications received outside the designated application period
• applications from candidates ineligible to sit a practical examination.

Examination dates and application periods are available on the practical examination for dentists page. 

You will be notified when the ADC receives your application.

The outcome of the assessment of your application will be sent to you via email.

Successful applicants will be notified of their allocated practical examination date via the candidate portal within six weeks of the closing of the application period.

No.

The ADC has assigned practical examination application periods to allow all candidates an equal opportunity to apply for, and sit, the practical examination. Applications submitted outside the designated application period will not be processed and candidates will be directed to reapply.

There are no restrictions on the number of attempts at the practical examination. However, your knowledge of the practise of dentistry must be current so you are required to pass the practical examination within three years of successfully passing the written examination.

If you do not pass the practical examination within this time, you will be required to re-take and pass the written examination before becoming eligible to reapply for the practical examination.

Yes. Each two-day practical examination will assess a maximum of 24 candidates.

The practical examination is held over two days and consists of a clinical skills day and a technical skills day.

Candidates will be divided into two groups of 12 and will complete one element on day one and will move onto the second element on day two. Candidates must complete both days during one examination session.

We advise candidates to be prepared to sit either the technical or practical skills day on the first day of the examination.

From July 2018, all practical examinations will be held at the ADC examination centre at Level 6, 469 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, Australia.

If, due to ill-health, disability or other reason, you believe you require an accommodation to assist you in completing the examination you should put your request in writing to practical@adc.org.au prior to your practical examination.

Please note, the ADC may deny requests for special consideration if doing so will affect other candidates or the integrity and validity of the examination.

The list provided in the ADC practical examination information package describes the materials, burs and equipment that will be available to you on your technical skills practical examination day. You can view the information package here. 

Whilst you are likely to have preferred burs, materials and instruments, those available to you on both examination days are consistent for all candidates and are adequate to achieve a pass mark for each task. We do not accept requests for additional burs, materials and instruments. 

From time to time we may make amendments or additions to the list. We will endeavour to inform you of any changes as soon as possible. 

Burs, instruments and materials available on the clinical skills day will not be published as tasks are changed regularly.