MGDS Examination

Faculty of Dentistry

MGDS RCSI Examination

Status update:

The next MGDS RCSI online examination will take place on October 6th, 2025. Applications will open on June 23rd, 2025.

In an effort to support candidates, the Faculty will provide an online series of lectures specifically for candidates preparing to sit the MGDS RCSI online examination in 2025.

The Membership in General Dental Surgery (MGDS RCSI) is an international examination open to all dentists, in all parts of the world. The scope of the examination is broad and covers all aspects of general dental practice.

We have made some slight changes to the format of the MGDS RCSI examination in order to streamline the delivery of the examination online. The examination may be delivered in a variety of formats. The updated regulations can be viewed here.

MGDS Exam Fees: €1050 Euros

The Membership in General Dental Surgery Examination has one paper which consists of two sections:

Section 1 Clinical Reasoning Assessment (CRA):

Two hour written paper (Twenty Short Structured Questions assessing clinical knowledge and reasoning in Dental Practice)

Section 2 Single Best Answer (SBA):

One hour written paper (Sixty single best answer questions assessing aspects of General Dental Practice)

The MGDS Examination standard will be set at a higher level than the MFD RCSI examination.

The MGDS will be awarded to those who pass both sections of the examination. The passing mark is based on the performance in both sections of the examination.

Please browse through the links to find out more about the MGDS RCSI Examination.

Apply Online

MGDS Regulations

MGDS Syllabus

Code of Conduct

MGDS Lecture Series

RCSI Exam Calendar

If you would like further information about this examination, please enter your details below and we will contact you directly:

MGDS Session 1

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CPD

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Chitta Chowdhury

Candidate 1

Qualifications:

PhD (Japan), FFD RCS (Ireland), MPH ( Univ of Manchester, UK), MFD RCPS Glasgow, BDS (Dhaka Univ), DAND (Dhaka Univ)

Biography:

Professor Chowdhury is the academic dean and dissertation module director at the City of London Dental School, University of Bolton UK. He is trained in oral-maxillofacial surgery from Japan and NHS. He is an MFD-RCS examiner, Dental Executive Board member, Dental Membership and Engagement Board (DMEB), and Dental Regional Advisor – East of England of the RCPS-Glasgow. He published impact research, wrote six books, organized international conferences, and established new departments including courses. He supervises PhD students. He is an editor-in-chief of the British Journal of Translational Global Health. He is a visiting professor at DeMontfort University and Osaka Dental University.

Patrick Cleary

Candidate 2

Qualifications:

BDentSc, MSD (Endo Indiana U.), FFD RCSI, FICD, FACD

Biography:

Graduated from Trinity College Dublin 1981 with BDentSc.
MSD in Endodontics from Indiana University 1986.
Commenced practice limited to endodontics in 1986 and currently practices in Booterstown, Co. Dublin.
Past president of the Irish Dental Association and the Irish Endodontic Society, a specialist member of the American Association of Endodontists and Certified member of the European Society of Endodontology.
Fellow of the Faculty of Dentistry RCSI and of the ICD and ACD.
Examiner on the MFD and FFD.
Has presented at National and International meetings.
Served on the Board and is a past vice-Dean of the Faculty.

Mary Collins

Candidate 3

Qualifications:

B Dent Sc, FFD (Oral Surg with Oral Med) RCSI, FFD (Oral Surg) RCSI, Board Certified American Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Biography:

Dr Mary Collins graduated from Dublin Dental University hospital. She held several surgical posts in various Oral and Maxillofacial surgery units in England up to Registrar level. She completed Oral and Maxillofacial surgery training In Mass General Hospital, Children’s Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Beth Israel Hospital Boston, USA. She is currently a Clinical Lecturer /Oral Surgery Specialist in Dept Oral and Maxillofacial surgery at Dublin University Dental Hospital.

Johanna Glennon

Candidate 4

Qualifications:

BDentSc., MSc. (Dist.), FFD RCSI (ad eundum)

Biography:

Dr. Johanna Glennon graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 1984. General dental practitioner in the National Health Service, UK for 7 years. Part-time clinical assistant post at the Oral Surgery Department, Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, Lincolnshire for some of that time. In 1994 she received her Masters in Endodontics, with distinction, from University of London. She returned to Ireland and works in private practice limited to Endodontics. She is a part-time Assistant Professor in Restorative Dentistry at Dublin Dental and University Hospital. In 2018 she was awarded her FFD (ad eundum) by the RCSI. She has served as a Board member of the Faculty of Dentistry for the past three years.

Rory Maguire

Candidate 5

Qualifications:

BDS NUI, M.Phil. (Biomat. Sci.) U.Bham., MFD RCSI, M.Dent. Ch. (Perio.) U.Dubl., FFD RCSI (Perio.), Ph. D U.Dubl.

Biography:

Dr. Rory Maguire graduated from Dentistry at the National University of Ireland in 2001. He worked as House officer in Restorative Dentistry and in 2003 completed his Membership of the Faculty of Dentistry of the RCSI. In 2007 Dr. Maguire graduated from the Masters in Dental Surgery program of Trinity College Dublin with 1st Class Honours and completed the Fellowship in Dental Surgery (Periodontics) of the RCSI. Dr Maguire is Director for Ireland of the Academy of Computer Aided Implantology. Dr. Maguire holds a Ph.D in Oral Biosciences and an M.Phil. in Biomaterials Science. Dr. Maguire is in private practice in Dublin.

John Marley

Candidate 6

Qualifications:

BSC (Hons) BDS PhD FDSRCS FDSRCS(OS) FFDRCSI

Biography:

John is a Consultant in Oral Surgery at QUB, School of Dentistry. He was Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry. Amongst other developments as Dean/Immediate past Dean, John was responsible for:
• Membership review and creation of Affiliate membership
• A funded Masters programme
• Developing/delivering hands-on/hybrid courses.
• Working in a team role, to deliver on-line MFD2 exams
• Securing professional recording/production of on- line lectures & enabling an extensive on-line learning library.
He was NI Training Programme Director for Oral Surgery, Chair of the UK Tricollegiate Oral Surgery Speciality Examination Board and a Board member of the NI Medical & Dental Training Agency.

Albert Yeung

Candidate 7

Qualifications:

BDS, MMedSci, MPHe, MPhil, MFDS RCPS, DDPH RCS, FFD (DPH) RCSI, FDS (DPH) RCPS, FFPH, FHEA, ACIEA, FCGDent

Biography:

Dr Albert Yeung graduated from Glasgow in 1989. He completed his specialty training in dental public health at Manchester and was awarded a Fellowship from RCSI in 2006. He has a diverse background of working experience in dentistry in the UK, including general dental practice, hospitals, community dental service and teaching in dental schools.
Dr Yeung is Consultant in Dental Public Health at NHS Lanarkshire in Scotland. He is an Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer of the University of Glasgow. He is co-editor of the Oxford Dictionary of Dentistry (Second Edition). He is a Professional Adviser to Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.