FAQs for Fellowship in Dental Surgery without Examination
Please find a selection of frequently asked questions about the FDS without Examination below:
Am I eligible for the FDS without Examination?
To be eligible, you need to:
- Hold a Specialty Membership Qualification
- Have held this qualification for five years or more
- Be in good standing with the College you hold your Specialty Membership Diploma with (i.e. you have to be up-to-date with your annual subscriptions) and with the regulatory authority in your country of residence (e.g. the General Dental Council)
- Have had no disciplinary action taken against you or have any investigation or action pending
What is a Specialty Membership Qualification?
- Membership in Oral Medicine
- Membership in Oral Surgery
- Membership in Orthodontics
- Membership in Paediatric Dentistry
- Membership in Restorative Dentistry
- Membership in Special Care Dentistry
- Membership in Surgical Dentistry
What is not a Specialty Membership Qualification?
MFD/MFDS/MJDF
MGDS/MFGDP/MPDC
Diploma in Implant Dentistry
Do I have to have received this qualification from The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh?
No, but if you obtained it from another Royal Surgical College you will be required to submit a copy of your Diploma.
Is there an application fee?
No.
Is there any fee or charge if my application is successful?
If you hold your Specialty Membership or MFDS with this College and pay the Members' annual subscription, your subscription would be upgraded to Fellowship status and you must pay the appropriate fee.
If you hold your Specialty Membership with another College, you will be required to pay the RCSEd Fellows annual subscription.
What is the cost of the Fellows annual subscription?
Please find the costs of annual subscription here.
How long does the application process take?
In normal circumstances, no more than six months. Applications can be submitted at any time. Applications would normally be considered by a sub-committee of Dental Council, at least two weeks prior to their quarterly meetings, before being considered by RCSEd's Dental Council. The Dental Council meets in March, June, September and December. The sub-committee's recommendations go to Dental Council and, thereafter, to the College's Awards Committee for approval and their recommendations ratified by College Council. When this process has been completed, you will be written to advising you whether or not your application has been successful. If you are successful, a further letter will be sent to invite you to a future Diploma Ceremony to receive your award.
Can the FDS without Examination be used for career progression?
No.
What are the benefits of becoming a Fellow?
Please find a full list of benefits here.
If I find that I am not eligible but hold another qualification e.g. MGDS, MOMS or MPDC, would I be eligible for another route to Fellowship?
Yes, the Fellowship in Dental Surgery through a portfolio assessment. The revised regulations for the Fellowship in Dental Surgery are now available on the College website.
