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Jun 08, 2026
If you’re a dentist planning to work in Dubai, passing the DHA exam is the first step to getting licensed. The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is the official body that regulates and licenses healthcare professionals in Dubai.
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Key Takeaways
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The DHA General Dentist Prometric exam is a mandatory computer-based test. Without a DHA licence, dentists cannot legally practice in Dubai. The passing score is 60%, but with a weighted system. The exam covers 5 core subjects: Prosthodontics and Operative Dentistry, Oral Medicine and Surgery, Periodontics, Orthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry, and Endodontics.
Unlike other licensing exams, the DHA uses a weighted passing system. Scoring 60% overall is not enough on its own, you must also score above 60% in at least one of three subjects: Prosthodontics, Oral Surgery, or Periodontics.
This guide provides the latest 2026 details, including exam pattern, fees, syllabus, eligibility, and preparation tips to help you succeed.
| Table of Contents |
|---|
| What Is the DHA Exam for Dentists? |
| DHA Exam Eligibility for Dentists |
| Documents Required for DHA Dentist Application |
| DHA Exam Fees for Dentists |
| DHA Exam Pattern for Dentists |
| DHA Exam Syllabus for Dentists |
| Syllabus Weightage Table |
| HDA Dentist Exam Passing Score |
| Dentist Exam Attempts & Validity |
| Recommended Study References |
| How to Apply — Step by Step |
| DHA Oral Assessment |
| Exam Preparation Tips |
| Frequently Asked Questions |
The DHA exam is a mandatory licensing test required for healthcare professionals to practice in Dubai. For dentists, the exam is conducted by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). and administered by Prometric, a globally recognised computer-based testing provider.
Dentists take the DHA exam to obtain a licence, prove their clinical skills, and legally work in Dubai. The exam evaluates clinical knowledge, patient safety awareness, and understanding of UAE dental practice standards.
The DHA exam is important because it is required for licensing, ensures clinical competency, and allows healthcare professionals to practice legally in Dubai. Important: The DHA license is valid only in Dubai and not across the UAE.
To apply for the DHA Dentist exam, candidates must meet the following requirements:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Degree | BDS, DMD, or DDS from an institution recognised by DHA and listed on the Avicenna database (formerly WHO directory of medical and dental schools) |
| Internship |
Completion of a mandatory one-year post-graduation dental internship programme
Important: If proof cannot be provided, an additional two years of clinical experience is required as an alternative.
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| Clinical Experience | Minimum 2 years of post-internship clinical experience (non-UAE nationals). Candidates with no internship evidence require 2 additional years of experience. |
| Home country licence | Valid professional dental licence or registration certificate from home country or country of last employment |
| Good Standing Certificate | Issued by the dental council/association of your last employment country — must not be older than 6 months at time of DHA application |
| DataFlow verification | Primary Source Verification (PSV) of all credentials through the DataFlow Group — mandatory before exam registration can proceed |
| Gap in practice | Non-UAE nationals cannot apply with a gap in clinical practice exceeding 5 years |
| Age | No upper age limit — candidates aged 65 and above must submit a medical fitness test report from a DHA-approved centre |
| Oral assessment | Some international dentists may be required to complete a DHA Oral Assessment (5 clinical scenarios, approximately 15–20 minutes) in addition to the written CBT |
Prepare these documents before starting your application. A missing document can delay the process by weeks.
DataFlow Warning: DHA verifies every document directly with the issuing institution through DataFlow (PSV). If any document is found inaccurate, the result is often a permanent 'Not Recommended' status on the Sheryan portal. There is no appeal. Every document must be authentic.
The total DHA exam cost for dentists ranges from approximately AED 2,000 to AED 3,400, including DataFlow verification, application fees, exam fees, and license activation. Candidates are required to pay fees across multiple stages of the application process. The breakdown of the DHA exam fee structure for dentists is given below.
| Profession | PSV / Application (AED) | Exam Fee (AED) | Licensing (AED) | Total (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Dentist | 1,000 - 1,235 | 808 -1,028 | 1,000 - 1,100 | 2,800 – 3,400 |
| Specialist Dentist | 1,000 -1,235 | 808 -1,028 | 1,000 - 1,100 | 3,000 – 3,400 |
| Additional Cost | Estimated Amount (AED) |
|---|---|
| Manual application review (if flagged during screening) | AED 200 |
| DHA Oral Assessment - Standard | AED 250 - 500 |
| DHA Oral Assessment - Urgent | AED 2,000 |
| Good Standing Certificate | AED 500 |
| DHA License Activation Fee (annual) | AED 1,000 - 1,100 |
All fees are subject to change. Always verify the latest amounts on the official Sheryan portal at sheryan.dha.gov.ae before making any payment. Source: DHA Sheryan portal and eDentalPortal fee structure, 2025/2026.
Learn about the detailed breakdown of DHA Exam Fees in Dubai to understand all costs involved in the licensing process.
The DHA dentist exam is a computer-based test (CBT) administered by Prometric on behalf of the Dubai Health Authority. As of January 2026:
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Exam mode | Computer-based test (CBT) — Prometric centres worldwide |
| Total Questions | 150 MCQs — 4 options each, one correct answer |
| Time allowed | 170 minutes (updated by Prometric, January 2026) |
| Question types | Mix of knowledge recall and clinical scenario MCQs |
| Tooth numbering | FDI two-digit system (11-48) — used throughout the exam |
| Language | English only |
| Negative marking | None — always attempt every question |
| Passing score | Weighted system — 60% aggregate + subject-specific thresholds |
| Result delivery | Electronic score report emailed immediately after exam completion |
| Exam result validity | 5 years from date of passing |
| Eligibility letter | Valid for 1 year (renewable without re-examination) |
| Attempts allowed | 3 total across DHA + MOH + DOH/HAAD combined |
The DHA dentist exam time changed from 180 minutes to 170 minutes as of January 2026. Always verify the current format on the official exam guide or the DHA Sheryan portal before your exam date.
Explore DHA dentist exam questions to understand question formats, clinical scenarios, and answering strategies.
The DHA exam for dentists covers the full undergraduate dental curriculum. The following areas of topics are thought to carry the most significance:
The DHA General Dentist exam has 5 core subjects totalling 150 questions. Prosthodontics and Operative Dentistry carries the highest weightage at 46 questions (30.7%). It is also one of the three subjects in the weighted pass score system, making it the single most critical subject to master.
| Subject Area | Questions (of 150) | Weightage | Study Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prosthodontics & Operative Dentistry |
46 |
30.7% | Highest |
| Oral Medicine & Oral Surgery | 31 | 20.7% | Highest |
| Periodontics | 27 | 18.0% | Highest |
| Orthodontics & Paediatric Dentistry | 26 | 17.3% | High |
| Endodontics | 20 | 13.3% | Standard |
| TOTAL | 150 | 100% | - |
To pass the DHA exam, candidates must score 60% overall AND above 60% in at least one 'High' weight subject (Restorative Dentistry, Oral Medicine & Surgery, or Periodontics). A strong average across supporting subjects alone will not guarantee a pass.
Learn about all DHA Exam Syllabus and Pattern to understand subject coverage, weightage, and key topics for effective preparation.
46 Questions Prosthodontics & Operative Dentistry 30.7% - Weighted pass subject
Highest weightage and one of the three weighted pass-score subjects. Covers fixed and removable prosthetics, dental materials, implants, and direct restorations.
| Topic Area | Key Subtopics | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed Prosthodontics | Crown and bridge design, preparation, impression, cementation, implant-supported prostheses, occlusion in fixed restorations | High |
| Removable Prosthodontics | Complete and partial dentures, occlusal records, impressions, jaw relations, denture base materials, immediate dentures, implant-retained overdentures | High |
| Removable Prosthodontics | Complete and partial dentures, occlusal records, impressions, jaw relations, denture base materials, immediate dentures, implant-retained overdentures | High |
| Implant Dentistry | Osseointegration, implant placement protocols, implant-supported crowns and bridges, complications, peri-implant maintenance | High |
| Operative Dentistry | Cavity preparation (Black's classification), composite and amalgam restorations; caries management, adhesive systems, tooth-coloured materials | High |
| Dental Materials | Properties of restorative materials, impression materials, cement, bonding agents, ceramic and metal alloys, dental polymers | Medium |
| Occlusion | Centric relation, vertical dimension, articulation, TMJ-prosthodontic relationship, occlusal schemes in prosthetics | Medium |
| Aesthetic/Cosmetic Dentistry | Veneers; bleaching protocols, smile design, shade selection, aesthetic ceramic systems, mock-up techniques | Medium |
Second highest weightage and a weighted pass-score subject. Covers diagnosis, surgery, anaesthesia, trauma, and systemic disease connections.
| Topic Area | Key Subtopics | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Oral Medicine & Oral Pathology | Mucosal diseases (lichen planus, pemphigus, aphthous ulcers), salivary gland disorders, oral cancer, cysts and tumours, oral manifestations of systemic diseases | High |
| Dentoalveolar Surgery | Simple and surgical extractions, impacted teeth, alveoloplasty, socket management, post-extraction complications (dry socket, haemorrhage) | High |
| Local Anaesthesia | Techniques (IAN block, infiltration, buccal, palatal), agents and maximum dosages, complications, failure management, contraindications | High |
| Dental Trauma Management | Crown fractures (Ellis classification), luxation injuries, avulsion, immediate treatment protocol, splinting, follow-up | High |
| Infection Control & Patient Safety | Sterilisation and disinfection, standard precautions, PPE, cross-infection prevention, sharps management, DHA protocols | High |
| Implant Surgery | Surgical techniques, flap design, bone grafting, implant complications, peri-implant disease management | Medium |
| Orthognathic Surgery | Le Fort osteotomies, mandibular osteotomies, surgical-orthodontic co-management, treatment planning principles | Medium |
| TMJ Disorders | Classification, diagnosis, conservative vs surgical management, splint therapy, imaging | Medium |
| Pain & Medical Emergencies | Analgesics, conscious sedation principles, anaphylaxis, syncope, hypoglycaemia, angina, seizure management in dental chair | Medium |
| Ethics & Patient Education | Informed consent, patient communication, professional conduct, UAE healthcare law, medico-legal documentation | Standard |
Third of the three weighted pass-score subjects. DHA emphasises the 2017 classification, clinical staging, and both non-surgical and surgical management.
| Topic Area | Key Subtopics | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Periodontal Classification | C2017 AAP/EFP classification, staging and grading of periodontitis, definitions of periodontal health, gingivitis, and periodontitis | High |
| Periodontal Diagnosis | Probing depth, clinical attachment loss (CAL), bleeding on probing, radiographic bone loss, furcation involvement, tooth mobility grading | High |
| Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy | Scaling and root planing, ultrasonic vs hand instrumentation, systemic antibiotics, local drug delivery, supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) | High |
| Periodontal Surgery | Flap surgery (Widman, resective, regenerative), osseous surgery, bone grafting, GTR membranes, periodontal pocket management | High |
| Periodontal Microbiology | Subgingival microbiota, pathogenic bacteria (P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, T. denticola), biofilm structure, microbial pathogenesis | Medium |
| Mucogingival Surgery | Free gingival grafts, connective tissue grafts, coronally advanced flap, root coverage procedures, gingival augmentation | Medium |
| Systemic-Periodontal Links | Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, pregnancy outcomes, drug-induced gingival enlargement (phenytoin, cyclosporin, nifedipine) | Medium |
| Peri-Implant Disease | Peri-implant mucositis, peri-implantitis, diagnosis, non-surgical and surgical management protocols | Standard |
Combined subject - approximately 50/50 split between orthodontic principles and paediatric dental management.
| Topic Area | Key Subtopics | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Orthodontic Diagnosis | Cephalometric analysis (SNA, SNB, ANB), model analysis, Angle's malocclusion classification (Class I, II, III), crowding and spacing | High |
| Orthodontic Appliances | Fixed and removable appliances, functional appliances (Twin Block, Frankel), space maintainers, retainers, clear aligner principles | High |
| Dental Development | Eruption sequences (primary and permanent), chronology, anomalies of number and form, tooth numbering (FDI, Universal) | High |
| Paediatric Caries Management | Early childhood caries (ECC), ICDAS classification, ART (Atraumatic Restorative Treatment), Hall technique, fissure sealants, fluoride therapy | High |
| Paediatric Pulp Therapy | Pulpotomy, pulpectomy, indirect and direct pulp capping, formocresol vs MTA, stainless steel crowns, internal and external resorption | High |
| Behaviour Management | Tell-show-do, positive reinforcement, nitrous oxide sedation, Frankl behaviour rating scale, communicative management techniques | Medium |
| Orthodontic Tooth Movement Biology | Types of movement (tipping, bodily, torque, rotation), anchorage, force levels, pressure-tension theory | Medium |
| Paediatric Dental Trauma | Primary vs permanent tooth avulsion, Ellis classification, splinting, follow-up, management of crown fractures in children | Medium |
Lowest weightage but still 13.3% of the exam. Focus on pulp diagnosis, root canal technique, periapical pathology, and failure management.
| Topic Area | Key Subtopics | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Pulp Diagnosis | Reversible vs irreversible pulpitis, pulpal necrosis, periapical status, EPT, thermal testing, percussion and palpation testing | High |
| Root Canal Treatmen | Access cavity preparation per tooth, working length determination, canal shaping and cleaning, irrigation (NaOCl, EDTA, CHX), obturation (lateral condensation, warm vertical) | High |
| Periapical Pathology | Periapical abscess, periapical granuloma, periapical cyst, condensing osteitis, internal and external root resorption | High |
| Endodontic Instruments | ISO sizes, K-files, H-files, Ni-Ti rotary systems, instrument fracture management, glide path creation, instrument separation prevention | Medium |
| Endodontic Failure & Retreatment | Causes of failure, retreatment protocols, apicoectomy, MTA application, root perforation repair, microsurgery principles | Medium |
| Endodontic Microbiology | Microbial species in infected canals, E. faecalis in persistent infections, biofilm, antimicrobial irrigants and their mechanisms | Standard |
| Post-Endodontic Restoration | Post and core systems, ferrule effect, crown placement timing, selection criteria for restorative material after root canal | Standard |
These topics appear across multiple DHA dentist exam subjects and can come from any question pool;
| Topic | What to Know | Appears In |
|---|---|---|
| Infection control & patient safety | Sterilisation methods, PPE, sharps management, standard precautions, DHA healthcare protocols | All 5 subjects |
| Radiographic interpretation | Periapical, bitewing, OPG, CBCT indications, caries detection, bone loss patterns, pathology identification | All 5 subjects |
| Dental pharmacology | Antibiotics, analgesics, local anaesthetics, antifungals, antivirals, drug prescribing in pregnancy, interactions | Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine |
| Medical emergencies in dentistry | Anaphylaxis, syncope, hypoglycaemia, angina, seizure, asthma attack,recognition and management in dental setting | Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine |
| Dental anatomy & occlusion | Root morphology per tooth, canal configurations, cusp anatomy, occlusal contacts, Bennett movement, articulation | Prosthodontics, Endodontics |
| Ethics & behavioural sciences | Informed consent, patient rights, professional conduct, UAE healthcare law, medico-legal documentation, cultural competence | All subjects |
| Forensic dentistry | Dental records in identification, age estimation from teeth, bite mark analysis, basic awareness level | Oral Medicine, Oral Surgery |
The DHA uses a weighted scoring system for dentists. Simply reaching 60% overall is not enough.
To pass the DHA Dentist Exam, you must meet BOTH conditions:
A strong overall average alone will not guarantee a pass. Source: eDentalPortal, confirmed as of January 2026.
This is why exam preparation must prioritise Restorative Dentistry, Oral Medicine & Surgery, and Periodontics above all other subjects.
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| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Maximum attempts | 3 total - shared across DHA, MOH, and DOH combined |
| After 3 failed attempts | Must apply for a higher specialty title. Cannot re-attempt at the same level without additional specialist training. |
| Exam results validity | 5 years from the date of passing |
| Eligibility letter validity | 1 year - can be renewed without re-sitting if active clinical practice continues |
| Practice gap limit | Tess than 5 years for non-UAE nationals. Gaps of 3–5 years require CME credits and clinical training. |
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If you prefer flexibility, a DHA Online Course allows you to learn at your own pace with access to mock exams, recorded sessions, and expert guidance from anywhere.
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| Subject | Recommended Textbook |
|---|---|
| Operative Dentistry | Sturdevant's Art & Science of Operative Dentistry |
| Endodontics | Grossman's Endodontic Practice |
| Periodontics | Carranza's Clinical Periodontology |
| Prosthodontics | Zarb & Bolender - Prosthodontic Treatment for Edentulous Patients |
| Orthodontics | Proffit's Contemporary Orthodontics |
| Dental Materials | Phillips' Science of Dental Materials |
| Oral Pathology | Shafer's Textbook of Oral Pathology |
Applying for the DHA exam involves multiple stages. Here is the complete sequence.
Steps 3 and 4 (PSV and credentialing) run simultaneously and are the slowest part of the process. Do not wait, start these as early as possible. They can take 20–40 days.
Read the full process: How to Apply for the DHA Exam
Not every dentist is required to sit the oral assessment. It is required for certain specialists and consultants, and for some candidates identified during credential review. The assessment involves 5 clinical scenarios lasting approximately 15 - 20 minutes. You will be evaluated on real-time clinical decision-making, not theoretical recall. Standard oral assessment fee: AED 250 - AED 500. Urgent: AED 2,000.
If called for an oral assessment:
Passing the exam is the beginning, not the finish line. Here is the full path to practising dentistry in Dubai.
Learn about the benefits and opportunities of a DHA license for dentists.
Check out: DHA Exam Tips and Strategies for Dentists to improve your preparation and increase your chances of passing on the first attempt.
Passing the DHA Dentist Exam is the gateway to a rewarding dental career in Dubai. Understanding the exam fees, syllabus, and exam pattern gives you a clear preparation roadmap. With the right study plan, the right resources, and consistent practice, you can pass on your first attempt. Always verify the latest fee and exam requirements on the official DHA Sheryan portal at sheryan.dha.gov.ae before applying, as these are subject to change.
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