SDLE General Dentist Exam 2026: Eligibility & MCQs
SLE General Dentist Exam Quick Summary
The Saudi Dental Licensing Exam (SDLE) for General Dentists is a 200-question, computer-based Prometric test split into two 100-question papers over 4.5 hours, with a scaled passing score of 542 out of 800 (roughly 68%).
Saudi Licensing Exam (SDLE) General Dentist Exam
The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) administers the Saudi Dental Licensing Exam (SDLE) as the mandatory licensing exam for general dentists seeking to practice in Saudi Arabia. It evaluates broad clinical competency across general dentistry — not a single narrow specialty — including restorative treatment, periodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, and orthodontic/pediatric fundamentals.
Eligibility criteria for the SDLE General Dentist exam
To sit the SDLE General Dentist exam, candidates are generally expected to meet the following:
Requirements can differ for Saudi nationals versus foreign-trained dentists, and by intended practice setting (private clinic vs. Ministry of Health). Confirm your specific profile through the Saudi Licensing Exam overview and the Mumaris Plus portal.
SDLE General Dentist exam syllabus & weightage
The exam draws heavily from restorative dentistry, with the remaining weight spread across periodontics, endodontics, oral medicine/surgery, and orthodontic/pediatric fundamentals:
Most questions are presented as clinical scenario-based MCQs with 4-5 answer choices and a single correct answer, delivered as a computer-based test via Prometric.
SDLE General Dentist exam format
The SDLE General Dentist exam is delivered as a computer-based test via Prometric, split into two 100-question papers with a 30-minute break between them. Unlike the percentage-based passing scores used for SDLE specialist tracks, the General Dentist exam uses a scaled score out of 800, with 542 as the pass mark.
Preparation tips for the SDLE General Dentist exam
Sample Practice MCQs
Test your knowledge with these original clinical scenario-style questions. Tap a question to reveal the answer.
> Question 1: Restorative Dentistry
Answer: An indirect restoration such as an onlay or crown, rather than a direct composite/amalgam filling.
Explanation: When cavity size and cuspal involvement are extensive, direct restorations are prone to fracture and marginal failure under occlusal load. An indirect restoration provides better cuspal coverage and long-term structural support for a heavily broken-down tooth.
> Question 2: Periodontics
Answer: Gingivitis — manage with scaling and improved oral hygiene instruction; no surgical intervention is indicated.
Explanation: Bleeding and inflammation with increased probing depth but no attachment or bone loss indicates gingivitis rather than periodontitis. Non-surgical management (scaling, oral hygiene reinforcement) is first-line and typically resolves the inflammation.
> Question 3: Endodontics
Answer: Irreversible pulpitis.
Explanation: Pain that lingers well after a cold stimulus is removed is a hallmark of irreversible pulpitis, distinguishing it from reversible pulpitis, where pain resolves quickly once the stimulus is removed. Irreversible pulpitis typically requires root canal treatment or extraction.
Frequently Asked Questions
> What does the SDLE General Dentist exam cover?
It covers general dentistry broadly, weighted toward restorative dentistry (40%), with periodontics (18%), endodontics (17%), oral medicine/surgery (15%), and orthodontics/pediatric dentistry (10%) making up the rest.
> How many questions are on the SDLE General Dentist exam?
The exam consists of 200 MCQs, split into two 100-question papers, with 4 hours 30 minutes allowed in total including a break.
> What is the passing score for the SDLE General Dentist exam?
The exam uses a scaled score out of 800, with 542 as the pass mark — equivalent to roughly 68% correct. This differs from the percentage-based passing scores used on SDLE specialist-track exams.
> Can a fresh graduate sit the SDLE General Dentist exam?
Saudi nationals can generally sit the exam after completing their dental degree and internship year. Foreign-trained dentists typically need at least 1 year of post-internship clinical experience for private practice, or 5 years if seeking Ministry of Health employment.
> Can Pakistani BDS graduates apply for the SDLE, given the degree-duration requirement?
SCFHS eligibility guidance generally calls for a dental degree from a minimum 5-year program, and this has been a genuine point of friction for Pakistani applicants. Pakistan's BDS has gone through recent regulatory changes: it was extended from 4 to 5 academic years starting the 2024-25 session specifically to improve international recognition for graduates, but that extension was reversed back to a 4-year academic program as of September 2026 due to infrastructure constraints at private colleges. In practice, Pakistani BDS training totals 5 years once the mandatory 1-year house job (internship) is included, even though the degree certificate itself reflects 4 academic years. To avoid delays during DataFlow Primary Source Verification, submit your complete academic transcript together with your house-job/internship completion certificate as one combined record, and confirm your specific case directly with SCFHS or DataFlow before applying, since evaluation of borderline programs can vary.
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