DOH (HAAD) Exam Eligibility Requirements for Dentists 2026
Last updated on 26-Oct-2026, by Dr. Muhammad Dr. Muhammad

 

DOH/HAAD Exam Eligibility Requirements for Dentists 2026

DOH Dentist Exam Quick Summary

To sit the DOH (formerly HAAD) exam as a General Dentist in Abu Dhabi, you need a BDS, DMD or DDS from a recognised dental school, a completed internship, 2 years of clinical experience after the internship and a valid licence with good standing. The General Dentist exam is a Pearson VUE computer-based test of 150 MCQs in 3 hours. Specialist and consultant dentists need a recognised specialty qualification, and their experience requirement depends on the tier of that qualification.

The Department of Health, Abu Dhabi (DOH) licenses dentists under the UAE Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR). The same PQR applies in Dubai (DHA) and the northern emirates (MOHAP), so the eligibility rules below hold across the UAE. Only the portal and the exam provider change. This page is for dentists. Physicians should read the DOH licence guide for doctors, and nurses the DOH nursing licence guide.

What are DOH General Dentist Eligibility Requirements?

  • Degree: BDS, DMD, DDS or an equivalent dental degree from a recognised university.
  • Internship: a completed internship (house job) after graduation. The internship does not count towards your experience.
  • Experience: at least 2 years of clinical experience as a dentist after the internship, in a licensed dental facility.
  • Licence: a current licence or registration from your home country and from any country where you have practised.
  • Good standing: a certificate of good standing from your last licensing authority, issued no more than 6 months before you apply (not required for UAE nationals).

Older guides say the 2 years must be continuous. The PQR handles this through the gap of practice rule instead: if you have been out of clinical work for more than 2 years, you need CME credits and supervised training, and non-UAE nationals cannot apply after a gap of more than 5 years. UAE nationals, children of Emirati women and graduates of UAE dental schools are exempt from the 2 years if they apply for the General Dentist title within 2 years of finishing the internship.

What are DOH Specialist Dentist Eligibility Requirements?

You need your basic dental degree plus a specialty qualification listed in the PQR (for example an MDS, a clinical MSc or a board certificate). The specialty programme must be full time and last at least:

  • 3 years for a clinical residency programme
  • 2 years for a clinical master’s degree
  • 3 years for a clinical PhD

How much experience you need after the specialty qualification depends on the tier the PQR gives it:

TitleTier 1Tier 2Tier 3
Specialist DentistNo experience required (gap rules apply)No experience required (gap rules apply)3 years after the specialty qualification (1 year for UAE nationals and children of Emirati women)
Consultant Dentist2 years after the specialty qualification5 years after the specialty qualificationCannot get the Consultant title

A specialist who does not yet have the experience their tier needs may be licensed as a General Dentist instead. The exceptions are dental radiology, forensic dentistry, dental pathology and maxillofacial surgery. The tier of your exact qualification is set in the PQR country tables, so check it on doh.gov.ae before you choose a title.

Which dental specialties does DOH recognise?

The PQR lists these specialty titles for licensing: conservative dentistry, endodontics, dental pathology, dental radiology, forensic odontology, maxillofacial and oral surgery, oral medicine, oral surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, primary care dentistry, prosthodontics, public health dentistry, restorative dentistry and special care dentistry.

Implantology is not a specialty. It is a privilege, and a General Dentist needs at least 3 years of experience after the internship to apply for it.

Which DOH exam do dentists take?

All DOH exams are booked through Pearson VUE after DOH approves your application. The type of exam depends on your title, according to the DOH Licensing Procedural Manual (2024):

TitleExam
General DentistCBT: 150 MCQs, 3 hours
Specialist: Endodontics, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, ProsthodonticsCBT: 100 MCQs, 2 hours
Specialist: Dental Radiology, Forensic Dentistry, Oral Medicine, Primary Care Dentistry, Dental Pathology, Public Health Dentistry, Special Care Dentistry, Restorative DentistryOral exam, 45 to 60 minutes
All Consultant dentist titlesOral exam

If your specialty is not in this table, DOH tells you the exam type when it approves your application. Results appear in TAMM as PASS or FAIL, within 24 hours for CBT and within 5 working days for oral exams. There is no published pass percentage (DOH passing score explained), and attempts are limited across the UAE authorities (DOH retake policy). If you already hold a DHA or MOHAP licence for the same title, you may be exempt from the exam. See how to transfer a DHA or MOHAP licence to DOH.

DOH Dentist Exam Syllabus

DOH does not publish a detailed blueprint, but the General Dentist exam covers the core clinical subjects of a dental degree. Expect clinical scenarios from:

Operative dentistry
Caries diagnosis, cavity design, restorative materials and their handling.
Endodontics
Pulp and periapical diagnosis, access, cleaning and obturation, and managing mishaps.
Prosthodontics
Complete and partial dentures, crowns and bridges, impressions and occlusion.
Periodontics
Classification of periodontal disease, non-surgical and surgical treatment, maintenance.
Oral surgery
Extractions, local anaesthesia, medical emergencies and patients on anticoagulants.
Pediatric dentistry and orthodontics
Eruption, behaviour management, pulp therapy in primary teeth, and basic malocclusion.

For subject-wise detail see our DOH exam study material and syllabus page and the general dentist exam syllabus, which follows the same PQR title. You can practise with the DOH General Dentist exam MCQs 2026.

150 questions in 3 hours
That is about 72 seconds per clinical scenario. Practise in timed blocks with explanations for every answer.

DOH Dentist Exam Fees

The DOH manual lists a new registration (application) fee of AED 100. On top of that you pay for primary source verification (DataFlow), the exam booking and scheduling, and finally the licence itself. These amounts depend on your title and can change, and TAMM shows each one before you pay, so use that figure rather than any number quoted online. Booking fees are not refunded if you do not attend. For a full breakdown see DOH exam complete process and cost.

How long does DOH Dentist process take?

PSV
DataFlow verification: about 24 working days
This is the slowest step in most files. Read the DoH / HAAD Abu Dhabi DataFlow process and track it with the DataFlow status guide.
REVIEW
DOH review: about 5 working days
DOH checks your file against the PQR and confirms your title and exam.
EXAM
Exam window: 6 months
Book any available Pearson VUE date within 6 months of approval. CBT results come within 24 hours.
LICENCE
Facility link and security clearance
An Abu Dhabi facility links you (within 3 months if you were not linked earlier), then security clearance takes about 5 working days.

On paper, verification and review take about 6 weeks before you can book the exam. Any discrepancy in your documents, such as a missing date on an experience letter, adds time, so check every letter before you upload it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much experience does a dentist need for the DOH exam?

A General Dentist needs 2 years of clinical experience after the internship. Specialists with a Tier 1 or Tier 2 qualification need no further experience, while Tier 3 specialists need 3 years after the specialty qualification. Consultants need 2 years (Tier 1) or 5 years (Tier 2).

Can I sit the DOH dental exam straight after my internship?

Not as a non-UAE graduate of a non-UAE university, because the General Dentist title needs 2 years of clinical experience after the internship. UAE nationals, children of Emirati women and graduates of UAE dental schools are exempt if they apply within 2 years of the internship.

How many questions are in the DOH General Dentist exam?

The DOH General Dentist exam is a computer-based test of 150 MCQs in 3 hours, delivered by Pearson VUE. Specialists in endodontics, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics and prosthodontics sit 100 MCQs in 2 hours, and consultant dentists take an oral exam.

Can I move my DHA dental licence to DOH without the exam?

The DOH manual exempts dentists who hold a valid DHA or MOHAP licence for the same title, or one cancelled within the last 6 months, provided they are in good standing. You still apply in TAMM and complete the remaining steps.

Does NBDE or INBDE exempt me from the DOH exam?

The PQR allows exemption for certain international exams and licences under its exam equivalency criteria, but we could not confirm that NBDE or INBDE is on the list. Check your case in TAMM before you book the exam.

Your Comments

Readers have asked us these questions over time. Tap any question to open it and read our reply.

Sobhan Mishra (Bhubaneswar): study material for the orthodontic specialty exam

"I want to appear in Orthodontic specialty exam, kindly guide for some good DOH Orthodontic study material."
Sobhan Mishra
Medical Qualification: MDS, DNB
City Country: Bhubaneswar

Team Interface: The DOH Orthodontics specialist exam is a CBT of 100 MCQs in 2 hours. The DOH Orthodontics QBank linked in your comment is built for it. If you apply as a consultant, the exam is oral.
anil dalal (New Delhi, India): experience needed to practise in Oman

"I want to practise as dental surgeon in oman. what is the experience required after BDS and MDS. what is the experience required to work as specialist dentist? i have done BDS,MDS from india."
anil dalal
Medical Qualification: MDS,BDS
City Country: new delhi india

Team Interface: Oman is licensed by its own authority, not DOH, so its rules differ. See our Oman general dentist exam page. For the UAE, a General Dentist needs 2 years after the internship and a specialist’s experience depends on the tier of the MDS.
Dr.Vaidehi ranganath (India): converting a DHA specialist licence to DOH

"I want to get HAAD license by converting DhA specialist dentist license."
Dr.Vaidehi ranganath
Medical Qualification: M.D.S
City Country: india

Team Interface: DOH exempts you from its exam if you hold a valid DHA licence for the same title (or one cancelled within the last 6 months) and are in good standing. You still apply in TAMM. Our DHA to DOH transfer guide lists the steps.
Cristina Galindez (Philippines): GP dentist exam while holding a dental assistant licence

"I just have query can i get haad GP dentist exam even presently holding a dental assistant license. Thank you "
Cristina Galindez
Medical Qualification: Doctor of dental medicine
City Country: Philippines

Team Interface: The General Dentist title needs your dental degree, internship, 2 years of clinical experience as a dentist and a licence to practise dentistry. Work as a dental assistant is usually not counted as dentist experience. DOH decides this when it reviews your file.
Sukhvinder bindra (Hyderabad, India): exam for oral and maxillofacial surgery

"I want to know about the exams for oral and Maxillofacial surgery as I want to work as an oral and Maxillofacial surgeon . If u could provide me some information regarding this please . Thanks "
Sukhvinder bindra
Medical Qualification: MDS
City Country: Hyderabad India

Team Interface: Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a recognised DOH specialty. It is not on the specialist CBT list in the DOH manual, so DOH will tell you the exam type (usually oral for non-CBT specialties) when it approves your application. Your experience requirement depends on the tier of your MDS.
Dr lokesh bahadur (India): can a BDS apply as a general dentist in Abu Dhabi or Dubai?

"Can I apply for haad exam for practising as general dentist I abu dhabhi or dubai "
Dr lokesh bahadur
Medical Qualification: BDS
City Country: India

Team Interface: Yes, if you have 2 years of clinical experience after your internship. Abu Dhabi is DOH and Dubai is DHA. Both use the same PQR but separate applications. For Dubai see DHA requirements for dentists.
Dr Usman Iqbal (Lahore, Pakistan): exemption after NBDE Part 1 and 2?

"Is there any exemption from the the HAAD exam if you have cleared NBDE part 1 and 2? "
Dr Usman Iqbal
Medical Qualification: BDS
City Country: Lahore, Pakistan

Team Interface: The PQR allows exam exemption for some international exams and licences, but we could not confirm that NBDE is on that list. Please check your case in TAMM, or ask DOH, before you book the exam.
Manoj Balani (Pune, India): MDS OMFS with 13 years, consultant or specialist?

"I have done MDS Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery from Mumbai University , India. I have a working Experience of 13 years after MDS. Which category of HAAD exam ( consultant/ specialist dentist) should i appear for and what is the procedure for same."
Manoj Balani
Medical Qualification: MDS
City Country: Pune, India

Team Interface: With 13 years after your MDS, the Consultant title is possible only if your MDS is Tier 1 (needs 2 years) or Tier 2 (needs 5 years). A Tier 3 qualification cannot get the Consultant title. Check the tier in the current PQR. All consultant dental titles take an oral exam.
Dr Saleena (Kerala, India): working as a dentist in Abu Dhabi

"I would like to work as dentist I have Abudabi and know the exam haad for dentist "
Dr Saleena
Medical Qualification: B.D.S
City Country: India Kerala

Team Interface: You need a DOH licence. The General Dentist exam is a CBT of 150 MCQs in 3 hours, and the requirements are listed at the top of this page. Start with UAE PASS and TAMM, then DataFlow.
Dr.Amitava De Roy (Kolkata, India): 19 years of practice, how to proceed?

"I have an experience of practicing for 19 yrs and would like to get a job in your country,Pl let me know the proceedings and required examination."
Dr.Amitava De Roy
Medical Qualification: BDS
City Country: Kolkata, India

Team Interface: We are an exam preparation site and do not recruit. With 19 years you meet the experience requirement for General Dentist. Make sure you have no gap of more than 2 years and a good standing certificate under 6 months old, then apply through TAMM.
dr shahid khan (Peshawar, Pakistan): working in Dubai through the HAAD exam

"I want to job in dubai as dental surgeon through haad exam, I done bds from ayub college of dentistry, Abbottabad, kpk Pakistan,,please guide me for exam."
dr shahid khan
Medical Qualification: BDS
City Country: Peshawar, Pakistan

Team Interface: HAAD (now DOH) licenses Abu Dhabi only. For Dubai you need a DHA licence, which uses the same PQR rules. See DHA requirements for dentists and the DHA General Dentist QBank.
Muhammad tahir kgan (Pakistan): Afghan graduate with PMDC and a second house job, eligible?

"I have graduated from afghanistan in 2o11 i completed my degree.and 2012 i did my internship and 2013 i got my degree from hec kabul afghanistan.then came to pakistan for prepartion of pmdc liscence exam .i passed pmdc exam in 2016 .and with exam i worked in recognized ngo in pakistan for the last three years . Then i started my house job again in pakistan because of pmdc rules . And i will comlete this november Now im asking that im elegible to sit in HADD exam.or not ? Kindly reply me i will b very thinkful ."
Muhammad tahir kgan
Medical Qualification: Md
City Country: Pakistan

Team Interface: DOH will look at whether your degree is recognised, whether your internship is complete, and whether you have 2 years of verifiable clinical experience after it without a gap of more than 2 years. NGO work counts only if it was licensed clinical practice that DataFlow can verify. If you are a physician, see the DOH guide for doctors.
Twinkle Pankaj Patel (Vadodara, India): dentist job in Abu Dhabi

"I want Job in Abu Dhabi in Dentist Field. I will be gratefull for any assistence in this regard."
Twinkle Pankaj Patel
Medical Qualification: BDS
City, Country: Vadodara India

Team Interface: Employers in Abu Dhabi hire dentists who hold, or are close to getting, a DOH licence. Start with the eligibility check on this page. Our UAE jobs page lists places to search once you are ready.
Swati (India): BDS with 2 years at a dental institution, what do I need?

"I have done my BDS from india I have 2 yrs of experience of a dental instition . What should i need to apply as dentist in abhu dabhi ."
Swati
Medical Qualification: BDS
City, Country: India

Team Interface: Two years of clinical experience after your internship meets the General Dentist minimum, as long as it was patient work (not teaching only) and the institution can confirm it to DataFlow. Then you need your licence, a good standing certificate and the 150-question CBT.
Rincy (Kerala, India): can I write the HAAD exam after my internship?

"Can I write HAAD exam after my internship?"
Rincy
Medical Qualification: BDS
City Country: kerala, india

Team Interface: Not yet, unless you are a UAE national, a child of an Emirati mother or a UAE dental school graduate. Everyone else needs 2 years of clinical experience after the internship before applying as a General Dentist.
Dr T.Asokan (Salem, India): 15 years of practice with endodontics and implants, eligible?

"I have 15 years experience in clinical practice and specialist in root canal treatment ,crownland bridge .I have also done many implants .So can I apply or eligible for HAAD exam? "
Dr T.Asokan
Medical Qualification: BDS
City Country: Salem,India

Team Interface: Yes, you are eligible for the General Dentist title if you have no long gap in practice. Endodontics as a specialist title needs a specialty qualification, and implantology is a privilege that General Dentists can request after 3 years of post-internship experience.
Benazeer Bhatti (Hyderabad): BDS with 3 years, how to get a job in Dubai

"I done my graduation in dentistry .I want job in Dubai I have three year experience in my field...kindly guide me how can I get job."
Benazeer Bhatti
Medical Qualification: Bds
City, Country: Hyderabad

Team Interface: Dubai is licensed by DHA. Your 3 years meet the General Dentist experience requirement. See DHA requirements for dentists, and use the UAE jobs page once your licence is in progress.

Prepare for the DOH General Dentist exam

High-yield MCQs with explanations and timed mock exams in the 150-question format.

Start DOH Dentist QBank