National Dental Exam

The 1402 National Dental Exam Date

The National Dental Exam is held twice a year, typically in the summer and winter. According to the announced date on the website of the Medical Education Assessment Center, the first session of the 1402 National Dental Exam is scheduled for the 12th of Mordad (August) and the second session for the 14th of Dey (January).

Registration for the exam requires visiting the website of the Medical Education Assessment Center and enrolling in preparatory classes for the National Dental Exam. Our institution offers preparatory courses for both the theoretical and practical components of the exam.

What Is the National Dental Exam? (For Preparation)

The National Dental Exam is an annual assessment conducted for dental graduates who have completed their education abroad. It takes place in two sessions, usually during the summer and winter, to evaluate the knowledge level of these graduates in the field of dentistry. The ultimate goal of this exam, as its name suggests, is to distribute these graduates among domestic universities so that they can fulfill their required coursework and education.

Preparatory Courses for the National Dental Exam

The purpose of these courses is to prepare dental graduates for the theoretical part of the National Dental Exam. Our institution provides various packages to accommodate students currently studying, those who have already graduated, and those with limited time for exam preparation. We also offer online classes for students who are not in Tehran.

How to Register for the National Dental Exam

Before registering online, candidates must complete their files at the Educational Services Center of the Ministry of Health. Only candidates recommended by the Educational Services Center are eligible to participate in the exam.

Who Is Eligible to Take the Exam?

The National Dental Exam is open to dentists who have studied at foreign universities and wish to have their degrees recognized in Iran.

Exam Fees for the General Dentistry Track are approximately 450,000 Iranian Rials, which candidates can pay online using Shetab banking cards.

Stages of the National Dental Exam

The National Dental Exam consists of two stages: theoretical and practical. Candidates must participate in these stages in sequence, with successful completion of the theoretical stage being a prerequisite for advancement to the practical stage.

Theoretical Stage:

Part one of the theoretical stage covers basic science subjects and specialty-specific courses. It comprises 25% of the total score for basic sciences and 75% for specialty-specific courses. Topics include pathology, biochemistry, medical physics, psychology and communication skills, parasitology, mycology, bacteriology, virology, anatomy, dental anatomy and morphology, oral histology, embryology of the oral and dental structures, genetics, immunology, the Islamic Revolution in Iran, and Islamic thought.

Part two of the theoretical stage encompasses all the specialty-specific courses in general dentistry. Candidates who have previously passed the comprehensive basic sciences exam can request an exemption from this part.

Note: The result of passing the theoretical stage of the National Dental Exam is valid for one year for progression to the practical stage.

Specialty Areas Covered:

• Orthodontics
• Endodontics
• Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
• Prosthodontics
• Periodontics
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Restorative Dentistry
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Radiology
• Dental Materials

Practical Stage of the Exam

The practical stage of the exam includes the Pre-Clinic, Clinic, and Comprehensive Patient Care (Field Services) sections.

Pre-Clinic Stage:

This exam is structured based on a standard checklist and criteria developed by the National Dental Education Council’s Exam Secretariat for four fields: Restorative Dentistry, Endodontics, Orthodontics, and Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics. The exam is held in two sessions each academic year, and the specific timing is announced accordingly. The minimum passing score for this exam is 12 out of 20.

Note: Candidates who achieve a grade of 17 or higher in this stage (Pre-Clinic) will be exempt from up to three sections of the clinical exams, as determined by the National Dental Exam Committee. They will not be required to pay the fees for these three exams and can proceed to the next stage in the same academic term as per the committee’s decision.

Clinical Stage:

In this stage, candidates provide patient care in all educational departments, including Restorative Dentistry, Endodontics, Periodontics, Dental Prosthetics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics, Oral Diseases, and Oral and Dental Radiology. Candidates are responsible for managing patient cases in each department.

Candidates are introduced to this stage twice each academic year, and they must participate in this stage after passing the Pre-Clinic exam. The National Dental Exam Committee specifies the timing, regulations, and criteria for this exam. The minimum passing score for this exam (based on the quality of patient care provided, observation, and interviews by professors during and at the end of this stage) is 12 out of 20.

Comprehensive Patient Care Stage (Field Services):

In this stage, candidates are required to work under the supervision of designated faculty members in dental clinics of dental schools or selected clinics affiliated with medical universities. They provide patient care for a minimum of six months to enhance essential skills and familiarize themselves with the national healthcare system. Candidates’ evaluations during this period will be based on the regulatory guidelines provided by the National Dental Exam Committee.

Note: Candidates who achieve a grade of 17 or higher in this stage (Clinical) will be exempt from a portion of the Comprehensive Patient Care stage, as determined by the National Dental Exam Committee.

This course is conducted in accordance with the Tehran University of Medical Sciences’ practical guidelines.

Exam Resources for Written Basic and Specialty Exams:

Resources for the specialty-specific section can be found in the resources section of the National Dental Exam for foreign dental graduates, while resources for the basic science section are available in the resources section of the comprehensive basic science and dental medicine exam on the Medical Education Assessment Center’s website.

Features of the Regular Course:

• Analysis of past exam questions
• Support twice a week
• Weekly schedule
• Summarized PDF materials
• Monthly exams

Features of the VIP Course:

• Analysis of past exam questions
• Analysis of specialty-specific exam questions
• 24/7 support
• Weekly schedule
• Summarized PDF materials
• Monthly exams
• Special Nowruz (Iranian New Year) session covering essential recurring topics
• 9 additional review classes

Frequently Asked Questions about the National Dental Exam Preparation Course:

1. Who can participate in the National Dental Exam?
   Only dentists who have obtained their qualifications abroad and are seeking to have their degrees recognized in Iran need to take this exam in order to practice officially.
2. What is the exam date for the National Dental Exam in 1402?
   The first exam will be held on the 12th of Mordad (August), and the second exam on the 14th of Dey (January).
3. How much is the participation fee for the National Dental Exam?
   The fee is approximately 450,000 Iranian Rials.
4. What is the cost of the preparation course for the National Dental Exam?
   The VIP course costs 30 million Iranian Rials, while the regular course costs 25 million Iranian Rials.