DHA Prosthodontics Exam 2026: Eligibility, Exemption & MCQs

DHA Prosthodontics Exam Quick Summary

The exam covers complete and partial dentures, crowns and bridges, implant prosthodontics, and related restorative dentistry topics, with 150 MCQs, roughly 2 hours 50 minutes to complete, and a passing score of 60%.

DHA Dubai Prosthodontics Specialty Exam

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) conducts this specialty exam to evaluate a candidate's clinical knowledge and treatment-planning skills in prosthodontics — the branch of dentistry concerned with restoring and replacing missing teeth and oral structures, including complete and partial dentures, fixed prostheses, and dental implants.

Eligibility criteria for the DHA Prosthodontics exam

To apply for the DHA Prosthodontics specialist exam, candidates are generally expected to meet the following:

Primary dental degree: A recognized BDS, DDS, or equivalent dental degree from an accredited institution.

Specialization in Prosthodontics: A recognized postgraduate qualification in Prosthodontics — MDS, MSc, or equivalent — from an accredited institution.

Post-specialization clinical experience: Non-UAE-national applicants are generally required to show a minimum of around 3 years of clinical experience in prosthodontics after completing their specialization. The exact requirement can vary by qualifying country and institution tier.

Valid license & Good Standing Certificate: An active license to practice in your home country (or country of last employment), plus a Certificate of Good Standing typically valid within the last 6 months.

DataFlow Primary Source Verification: All educational, professional, and licensing documents must be verified through DataFlow before your license application proceeds.

DHA also caps the number of exam attempts at three in total across the three health authorities (DHA, DOH, MOH) for the same specialty — confirm your own status through the Sheryan self-assessment tool.

DHA Prosthodontics exam exemption criteria

Possible exam exemption

Prosthodontists holding a recognized fellowship — such as FDSRCS/FDS (England, Edinburgh, Glasgow), MFDS, MJDF, or an American Board of Dental Specialties certification (e.g. American Board of Prosthodontics) — may be eligible for exemption from the written Prometric exam. Exemption is never automatic or guaranteed: it must be applied for with supporting proof and confirmed directly with DHA before you rely on it. Confirm your own exemption status through the Sheryan self-assessment tool rather than assuming it applies.

DHA Prosthodontics exam syllabus

The exam draws from the following subject areas, with topic weightage based on published exam blueprints for this specialty:

Fixed Partial Dentures (highest-weighted topic)
Complete Dentures
Removable Partial Dentures
Occlusion
Implant Prosthodontics
Dental Materials
Aesthetic Considerations
Team Approach to Treatment Planning
Communication with Dental Laboratories
Endodontically Treated Teeth (restoration considerations)
Professionalism and Ethics
Patient Safety

Most questions are long, clinical scenario-based MCQs with 4 answer options and a single correct answer. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.

DHA Prosthodontics study material & questions

Official past papers aren't released publicly, but our Qbank compiles recall-based questions from actual test takers, reviewed by expert doctors.

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DHA Prosthodontics exam format

150

MCQs

~170 min

Time allowed (2h 50m)

60%+

Passing score

DHA specialist dental exams are delivered as computer-based tests via Prometric. Note that the exact question count, duration, and passing score can differ from DOH, QCHP, SDLE, and NHRA versions of the same specialty exam — always confirm the DHA-specific figures on your Sheryan eligibility notice rather than assuming they match another authority's exam.

Preparation tips for the DHA Prosthodontics exam

Prioritize Fixed Partial Dentures

This is consistently the most heavily weighted topic — build strong fundamentals here before moving to lower-weighted areas.

Practice scenario-based MCQs

Expect long clinical vignettes requiring treatment-planning judgment, not simple fact recall — practice reading and triaging case details quickly.

Don't neglect materials & ethics

Dental materials, professionalism/ethics, and patient safety are each independently weighted — easy points if revised, easy to lose if skipped.

Pace yourself

With 150 questions in roughly 170 minutes, you have just over a minute per question — since there's no negative marking, never leave a question blank.

Sample Practice MCQs

Test your knowledge with these original clinical scenario-style questions. Tap a question to reveal the answer.

> Question 1: Fixed Prosthodontics

A patient requires a 3-unit fixed partial denture replacing a missing mandibular first molar, with abutments on the second premolar and second molar. What is the most important biomechanical consideration before proceeding?

Answer: Assess the crown-to-root ratio and periodontal support of both abutment teeth, since they must withstand the increased occlusal load of the pontic.

Explanation: Abutment teeth in a fixed partial denture bear the functional load of the missing tooth in addition to their own. Inadequate periodontal support or an unfavorable crown-to-root ratio increases the risk of abutment failure, making this assessment a prerequisite before finalizing the treatment plan.

> Question 2: Complete Dentures

A patient with a well-fitting complete maxillary denture reports poor retention specifically during wide mouth opening and speaking. What is the most likely cause?

Answer: Overextension of the denture border into the area disturbed by the buccinator muscle or pterygomandibular raphe during function.

Explanation: Denture retention loss that occurs specifically with functional movements (speaking, wide opening) rather than at rest points to a border overextension conflicting with muscle attachments, rather than a general fit or suction problem across the whole denture base.

> Question 3: Implant Prosthodontics

A single dental implant placed in the maxillary anterior region is being restored with a screw-retained crown. What is the primary advantage of a screw-retained restoration over a cement-retained one in this location?

Answer: Retrievability — a screw-retained crown can be removed non-destructively for maintenance, complication management, or peri-implant tissue access.

Explanation: Screw retention allows the restoration to be unscrewed and reinserted without damaging the crown or implant, which is valuable for managing screw loosening, peri-implantitis, or porcelain repair — a meaningful advantage over cement retention, where removal often requires sectioning the crown.

Frequently Asked Questions

> What does the DHA Prosthodontics exam cover?

It covers fixed partial dentures, complete dentures, removable partial dentures, occlusion, implant prosthodontics, dental materials, aesthetic considerations, treatment-planning teamwork, laboratory communication, restoration of endodontically treated teeth, professionalism and ethics, and patient safety.

> What is the passing score for the DHA Prosthodontics exam?

Candidates generally need to score 60% or above to pass — note that this differs from DOH (65%), QCHP, and NHRA versions of the same specialty exam, so don't assume figures from another Gulf authority apply to DHA.

> Can prosthodontists be exempted from the DHA Prometric exam?

Possibly. Prosthodontists holding a recognized fellowship (e.g. FDSRCS) or an American Board of Dental Specialties certification (such as the American Board of Prosthodontics) may apply for exemption, but it is never automatic — it must be confirmed directly with DHA before you rely on it.

> Are official DHA Prosthodontics past papers available?

No — DHA does not release official past papers publicly. Recall-based question banks compiled from actual test takers' feedback are the closest available preparation resource.

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