Overview of the examination

• Structure of the examination [+]
  

  The written examination consists of:
   

  • Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and
  • Short Answer Questions (SAQ)

   
  These questions are designed to test your knowledge of dentistry and clinical and technical procedures relevant to dental practice in New Zealand and Australia. While different questions are included for each examination, the standard of each examination is at the same level.
   
  The examination programme runs over two consecutive days: [+]
  

   
  

  Day One	MCQ Paper 1   Section A Tooth Conservation Endodontics Dental Pulp   Section B Crown & Bridgework Prosthodontics (Partial) Prosthodontics (Full)   Section C Dental Caries Applied Basic Science (Conservative Dentistry) Dental Materials Applied Basic Science (Prosthodontics & Materials)   SAQ Paper   Covers topics relevant to current clinical practice in Australia and New Zealand. All questions have equal value and time management in answering is important. The pass mark for the SAQ Paper is 50%.	2 hours                                   1 hour
  Day Two	MCQ Paper 2   Section D Anaesthesia & Resuscitation Infection Control Oral Surgery Surgery Applied Basic Science (Oral Surgery)   Section E Oral Medicine Oral Pathology Pharmacology & Therapeutics Medicine   Section F Radiology Dentistry for Children Orthodontics   Section G Periodontics Preventive Dentistry Public Dental Health	2 hours

   
  The written examination is conducted under strict supervision. Applicants will be provided with all material necessary. Calculators, slide rules or other mechanical or electronic aids are neither required nor permitted. Scrap paper is neither provided nor permitted for any of the papers.
   
  Recent results indicate that some applicants need to take greater care in preparing for the written examination by studying more broadly and in greater depth. As many of the questions test clinical judgement and the ability to use specific knowledge, you are encouraged to analyse each question thoroughly before giving an answer. Please be aware that dental disease patterns, treatment needs, dental education and treatment methods are not the same in all countries.
   
  

   
  

• Passing Criteria [+]
  

  To pass the Written Examination you must achieve passes in each of the three individual components: namely MCQ Paper 1, SAQ Paper, and MCQ Paper 2.
   
  

   
  

• Attempts Policy [+]
  

  Applicants who have failed any component (written and clinical examinations combined) three times collectively within three years from the date of first sitting the written examination will NOT be permitted re-entry into the examinations.
   
  The above will also apply for any Australian Dental Registration Examination component failure(s) and will therefore be deemed as a failed attempt(s) of any NZDREX component.
   
  Council strongly advises applicants who have two failed NZDREX attempts to undertake a course of re-training prior to commencing the third and final NZDREX attempt.
   
  

   
  

• Validity of Results [+]
  

  Applicants have three years from the date of first sitting the written examination to pass both examination components. If an applicant fails to pass the written and clinical examinations within the three-year period they will not be eligible for registration in New Zealand through the New Zealand Dental Registration Examinations pathway.
   
  English Tests (as required by the current Policy on English Competence and English Tests) are valid for two years.
   
  

   
  

• Australian Dental Council transfers [+]
  

  Applicants are allowed to transfer from the ADC registration process. Those applicants will have to comply fully with the then current NZDREX policies.
   
  

   
  

• Appeals [+]
  

  To appeal a written examination result you must make an application in writing to the ADC within four weeks from the date of the result's notification. A lodgement fee of AUD110 applies.
   
  

   
  

• Sample Questions [+]
  

  Past examination papers are not available to applicants. You will however be sent a sample of MCQ questions, upon receipt of your completed application.
   
  Each MCQ question is followed by several suggested answers. All MCQ questions require a single response. You are required to select the one response that represents the best answer and mark the corresponding letter alongside the question number of the attached answer sheet.
   
  The following sample questions are intended to give applicants an indication of the format of the examination. They do not represent the degree of difficulty or the scope of any part of the examination:
   
  

  Question	Answer
  Dental caries is a: A. genetic disease B. nutritional deficiency disease C. disease caused by bacteria D. disease of auto-immune origin	The best answer is C, so the letter C should be marked alongside the number corresponding to this question on the Answer Sheet.
  For the natural dentition it is better for the teeth on the balancing side to touch: A. only lightly or not at all B. heavily in balance C. prematurely in centric relation D. prematurely in centric occlusion	The best answer is A.
  A patient wearing complete dentures complains of soreness. The first step in handling this complaint should be to: A. relieve the denture in the area that is sore B. reduce the occlusion on the teeth over the sore area C. determine the cause of the complaint before attempting treatment D. reline or refit the denture causing the soreness E. apply a tissue conditioner to the denture surface	The best answer is C.
  A 25 year old male complained of many minute vesicles on the vermilion border of the upper lip. The vesicles were preceded by an “itching” sensation. The patient stated the vesicles develop “two or three times” a year. The most likely diagnosis is: A. impetigo B. herpes zoster C. recurrent herpes simplex infection D. primary herpetic stomatitis E. recurrent aphthous ulceration	The best answer is C.
  The earliest apical radiographic change seen in a pulpally involved tooth is: A. resorption of bone B. loss of lamina dura C. widening of the periodontal ligament space D. hyper-cementosis E. external root resorption	The best answer is C.
  The most common problem arising from premature extraction of deciduous molars is the loss of: A arch length B facial contour C vertical height D sibilant speech sounds E freeway space	The best answer is A.

   
  

   
  

Logistics & Administration

• Enrolment form [+]
  

  The Dental Council of New Zealand will assess your eligibility to enrol in the written examination. The written examination is held in conjunction with the Australian Dental Council (ADC).
   
  If you are enrolled, you will receive a confirmation of eligibility letter and an ADC preliminary examination application form.
  You must complete this form and send it to:
   
  The Australian Dental Council
  Ground Floor, 120 Jolimont Road
  East Melbourne
  Victoria 3002
  Australia
   
  PLEASE NOTE: From this point forward, all enquiries regarding the written examination process such as venues, withdrawals, appeals must be forwarded to the Australian Dental Council.
   
  

   
  

• Enrolment closing dates [+]
  

  Applicants must ensure that your ADC preliminary examination form reaches the office of the Australian Dental Council by no later than the closing dates listed (see Examinations Timetable). Late applications will not be accepted and/or considered.
   
  

   
  

• Venues [+]
  

  The written examination may be taken in Australia, New Zealand or at a number of overseas sites.
   
  Applicants will be advised where their examination will be held and dates confirmed approximately one month before the examination. You may nominate a venue in Australia, New Zealand or another overseas location. If your preferred venue is unavailable, a nearby venue will be offered. Every effort is made to offer you a suitable venue. Previous venues have included:
   
      Accra, Adelaide, Alice Springs, Ankara, Athens, Auckland, Brisbane, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Canberra, Darwin, Dubai,
      Harare, Hobart, Hong Kong, Islamabad, Johannesburg, Lima, London, Mackay, Manila, Melbourne, Moscow, Nairobi,
      New Delhi, Perth, Riyadh, Singapore, Sydney, Townsville
   
  The availability of venues does vary and some venues may not be available for a particular session.
   
  All visa and travel arrangements are the applicant’s own responsibility. Failure to undertake the examination because of an inability to obtain necessary visas or to arrange travel, etc will be considered as a withdrawal and withdrawal fees will apply.
   
  You are required to produce proof of identity, usually a passport. Any other details will be provided prior to the examination by the venue organisers.
   
  

   
  

• Examination Fees [+]
  

  The preliminary examination fee is payable in advance to ADC by all applicants sitting the examination.
   
  To repeat the examination a separate application must be submitted and an additional application fee paid.
   
  All fees paid must be by Bank Cheque in Australian dollars made payable to the Australian Dental Council, by Australian Money Order or by credit card - Visa or MasterCard only.
   
  The current fee structure can be seen in this document from the Australian Dental Council.
   
  

   
  

• Withdrawal Fees [+]
  

  A withdrawal fee would apply for any cancellation.
   
  

  Notice of withdrawal from examination received before closing date	20% of fee will be forfeited
  Notice of withdrawal from examination received after the closing date and at least 14 days before the examination date	50% of fee will be forfeited
  Notice of withdrawal from examination received less than 14 days before the examination date	100% of fee will be forfeited (unless a medical certificate can be supplied, in which case 40% of the fee will be forfeited)

   
  Please note: All withdrawal notifications should be sent directly to the ADC.
   
  

   
  

• Results [+]
  

  The ADC will advise you of your written examination results as soon as practicable. Results are usually released 10 to 12 weeks after the examination date. A copy of your results will also be forwarded to the Dental Council of New Zealand.
   
  Please note that NO results will be given by phone, fax or email.
   
  

   
  

Further Information

• Eligibility Criteria for the NZDREX Written Examination
  
• Eligibility Application Form and Fee
  
• Eligibility Criteria for the NZDREX Clinical Examination
  
• Submitting NZDREX Clinical Examination Enrolment Form and Fee
  
• Sitting the NZDREX Clinical Examination
  
• Registering with DCNZ