MOHAP General Dentist Exam: Eligibility Criteria Guide 2026
Last updated on 26-Oct-2026, by Dr. Muhammad Dr. Muhammad

 

MOHAP General Dentist Exam Complete Guide 2026

MOHAP General Dentist Exam Quick Summary

To sit the MOHAP general dentist (Dental Practitioner) exam you need a BDS or equivalent, a completed internship and, if you are not a UAE national or UAE graduate, at least 2 years of licensed clinical experience after internship. You apply for Health Professional Evaluation online (AED 500), clear DataFlow, then take the Prometric computer-based exam if required, which you pass with 60% within a maximum of 3 attempts.

The MOH Dental Practitioner Examination is how the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) checks that a general dentist can practise safely in the Northern Emirates and federal facilities. It tests clinical dental knowledge, diagnosis, treatment planning, infection control and patient management. This page covers the dentist-specific rules. For the general route that every profession follows, see the MOHAP medical license exam overview.

What is the criteria for MOHAP UAE General Dentist Examination?

MOHAP applies the Unified Healthcare Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR), so the General Dentist title has the same core requirements as in DHA and DOH. MOHAP adds its own conditions on how experience is counted. Both are set out below.

What is Criteria to sit for the MOHAP General Dentist exam?

Degree
B.D.S. or an equivalent degree (DDS, DMD) from a recognised dental school.
Internship
A completed dental internship of 12 months is mandatory.
Experience
At least 2 years of clinical experience after internship, backed by a valid professional licence covering that period, for non-UAE applicants.
Good standing
A Good Standing Certificate dated within the last 6 months from the authority where you last practised.

Who is exempt from the experience requirement? UAE nationals, children of Emirati women and graduates of UAE dental schools do not need the 2 years if they obtain the General Dentist title within two years of completing internship (PQR 9.2.1).

Is internship mandatory for MOHAP dental exam?

Yes. The internship is part of the qualification pathway, and DataFlow verifies it with the issuing institution. Keep these ready:

  • internship completion certificate
  • training details (dates and rotations)
  • institution information and contact details

Is clinical experience required for MOH Dental Practitioner exam?

For most foreign-trained dentists, yes: 2 years after internship. Three details decide whether your experience counts:

  • It must be licensed. MOHAP counts experience from the date your professional licence was issued. Work done before you were licensed does not count.
  • Training does not count. MOHAP states that training, including training in the UAE, is not counted towards the 2 years.
  • No long gap. An interruption in practice beyond the limit on MOHAP's evaluation page (currently two years) is not accepted without the PQR return-to-practice route.

Private practice counts if it was licensed and you can prove it (clinic licence and your own registration for that period). Specialist dentists without enough specialist experience may be accepted as General Dentists, except for dental radiology, forensic dentistry, dental pathology and maxillofacial surgery qualifications (PQR 9.1.9). Specialist rules are on MOHAP qualification and experience requirements for dentists.

What are Registration requirements?

You upload these in the MOHAP Health Professional Evaluation request (UAE PASS login). The upload steps are on How to register for MOHAP exam.

  • A copy of a valid passport
  • Passport-size photo (white background)
  • Professional qualification (BDS or equivalent) with mark sheets/transcripts
  • Internship completion certificate
  • Experience certificates showing date of appointment, leaving date and post held
  • A valid Good Standing Certificate, dated within the last 6 months
  • Current and previous health licences covering your experience
  • Copies of any previous DataFlow reports
  • A copy of the Family Book (UAE nationals only)
  • Detailed C.V. in English or Arabic
  • A legal translation of any document not in Arabic or English, uploaded with the original

The evaluation fee for dentists is AED 500, and MOHAP lists 5 working days for the review. DataFlow is paid separately through a link after approval. See the MOHAP fee breakdown and the MOHAP DataFlow requirements.

Is the MOHAP dental exam difficult?

Most candidates find it moderately difficult. It is not a theory exam. Questions are short clinical cases that test:

  • clinical reasoning
  • patient management
  • emergency handling (medical emergencies in the dental chair)
  • diagnosis, especially pulpal and periapical diagnosis
  • treatment planning

Dentists who have been in busy general practice usually do well on the clinical cases and lose marks on basic science, dental materials and infection control. A few weeks of mixed MCQs will show you where you stand. Format details are on the MOH exam pattern page and the dental syllabus on MOH licensing exam syllabus for dental doctors.

Practise MOHAP dental MCQs
Clinical-case questions in the MOHAP Prometric style, covering endodontics, oral surgery, periodontics, prosthodontics, pediatric dentistry and infection control.

Can I retake the MOH dental exam if I fail?

Yes, within limits. MOHAP allows a maximum of 3 attempts per category, and a fourth MOHAP attempt is not allowed (MOHAP says you may apply through DHA or DOH instead). Prometric counts a cancelled or no-show booking as one of the 3 attempts. To retake, you:

  • book another attempt through Prometric
  • pay the exam fee again
  • keep your evaluation and DataFlow active (check with MOHAP if a long time has passed)

More on this in our MOH re-sitting guide.

What are exam day guidelines?

After scheduling your MOHAP (Ministry of Health & Prevention) Prometric exam, bring the original identity document you used when booking, usually your passport. The name must match your booking exactly. Check Prometric's confirmation email for any centre-specific rules, and arrive early so check-in does not eat into your exam time.

What are MOHAP exam study material for Dental candidates?

For reference books, see MOH Prometric dentistry exam study material. If you are also thinking about Dubai or Abu Dhabi, compare with DHA general dentist and DOH (HAAD) for dentists.

MOHAP general dentist sample practice MCQs

Two questions in the clinical scenario style Prometric uses. Tap a question to see the answer.

Question 1: Endodontics

A 34-year-old man reports pain in his lower left first molar for 3 days. Cold water causes sharp pain that lingers for about a minute after the stimulus is removed, and the tooth sometimes aches on its own at night. There is a deep distal carious lesion. The tooth is not tender to percussion, and the periapical radiograph shows a normal lamina dura and periodontal ligament space. What is the most likely pulpal diagnosis?

A) Reversible pulpitis
B) Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis
C) Pulp necrosis
D) Symptomatic apical periodontitis

Correct answer: B) Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis

Lingering pain after a cold stimulus and spontaneous pain point to irreversible pulpitis. Reversible pulpitis gives short pain that settles as soon as the stimulus is removed, and a necrotic pulp does not respond to cold. A normal percussion test and normal periapical radiograph rule out symptomatic apical periodontitis. Treatment is pulpectomy and root canal treatment (or extraction).

Question 2: Oral Surgery

A 28-year-old woman who smokes had a lower right third molar extracted 3 days ago. She now has severe throbbing pain radiating to her ear that is not relieved by ibuprofen, and she reports a bad taste. On examination the socket is empty with exposed bone and no blood clot. There is no swelling, no pus and she has no fever. What is the most appropriate management?

A) Prescribe a 7-day course of oral amoxicillin
B) Gently irrigate the socket with warm saline and place a medicated (sedative) dressing, with analgesia
C) Incision and drainage under local anaesthesia
D) Take an urgent panoramic radiograph to rule out a mandibular fracture

Correct answer: B) Gently irrigate the socket with warm saline and place a medicated (sedative) dressing, with analgesia

This is alveolar osteitis (dry socket): onset 2 to 4 days after extraction, severe pain, an empty socket with exposed bone and halitosis, typically after mandibular third molar removal and more common in smokers. Treatment is local: irrigation, a sedative dressing and analgesics, with review. Antibiotics are not routinely needed without signs of infection, and there is no collection to drain.

Practise More MOH UAE General Dentist Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the requirements for the MOHAP general dentist exam?

You need a BDS or equivalent degree, a completed internship and, if you are not a UAE national or UAE graduate, at least 2 years of licensed clinical experience after internship. You also need a Good Standing Certificate dated within the last 6 months and a positive DataFlow report.

Does private clinic experience count for MOHAP?

Yes, if it was licensed. MOHAP counts experience from the date your professional licence was issued, and the licence must cover the whole period you claim. Keep your clinic licence and registration documents ready for DataFlow.

What is the passing score for the MOHAP dental exam?

MOHAP reports results as Pass or Fail, with a minimum passing score of 60%. The questions and detailed scores are not disclosed.

How many attempts do dentists get in the MOHAP exam?

A maximum of 3 attempts per category, and a fourth MOHAP attempt is not allowed. Prometric counts cancelled and no-show appointments as attempts, so only book when you are ready.

How much does the MOHAP dental evaluation cost?

The Health Professional Evaluation fee for dentists is AED 500. DataFlow verification and the Prometric exam are paid separately, and their amounts are shown when you pay.

Your Comments

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

Khulood Al-Rawi (Toronto, Canada): application form and eligibility number for the MOH test

"Kindly asking about the application form for the UAE MOH test and how to recieve the eligibility number for the test. Thanks in advance."
Khulood Al-Rawi
Medical Qualification: Dental Practitioner
City, Country: Toronto, Canada

Team Interface: There is no paper form now. You apply for Health Professional Evaluation on the MOHAP website or app using UAE PASS. Once your evaluation and DataFlow are approved, you book the exam on Prometric with the eligibility details MOHAP gives you. See the MOHAP registration guide.
Anne-Mari Timonen (Tampere, Finland): is hospital experience required for a dentist?

"Hello. I have 20 years of work experience as a general dentist. Is the hospital work-experience really demanded to work in Arab-Emirates? If so, my dream will brake : ). Best regards Anne-Mari Timonen "
Anne-Mari Timonen
Medical Qualification: destist
City, Country: Tampere, Finland

Team Interface: No, it does not have to be hospital experience. MOHAP asks for licensed clinical experience, and 20 years of licensed general practice is far more than the 2 years required. A Good Standing Certificate from Finland dated within the last 6 months is needed. Whether a Finnish licence earns an exam exemption is decided in the evaluation.
Nitin Tripathi (Uttar Pradesh, India): steps for the MOH exam after 2 years running a clinic

"Hii, its me Dr.Nitin Tripathi BDS, i completed my BDS from ghaziabad uttar pradesh, India, i m running my clinic since 2 years, i hav also completed my project india research work from Aandhra Pradesh, & also i got certificate from GOHI, I WANT KNOW ABOUT MOH EXAM KINDLY EXPLAIN ME WHAT I HAV TO DO GOR THIS EXAM Dr.Nitin Tripathi ."
Nitin Tripathi
Medical Qualification: BDS
City, Country: Uttar pradesh, India

Team Interface: Two years of licensed practice after internship meets the experience requirement if you can prove it (your registration plus the clinic licence for that period). Research projects and certificates do not count as clinical experience. Apply for evaluation, complete DataFlow, then book Prometric; see the registration guide.
Dr.Devang Shah (Mumbai, India): part-time paediatric dentist job in the UAE

"hello, i am a Paediatric Dentist from Mumbai India. I am looking for a part time job for Paediatric Dentist in UAE. can u guide me how to go about it. i have a work experience of 3 and half years. "
Dr.Devang Shah
Medical Qualification: MDS - Paediatric and Preventive dentistry
City, Country: Mumbai, India

Team Interface: Licensing comes first: your MDS is assessed under the PQR, and the tier decides whether you can be a Specialist with your 3.5 years of experience. Part-time work is arranged with the employer, who applies for the licence. See MOHAP requirements for dentists and our UAE jobs page.
ASIFUZZAMAN (Bangladesh): attesting certificates and booking a centre from Bangladesh

"hI i am dr.asif from BANGLADESH ,I want to work as a general dentist in UAE, from where in my country i can attested my graduation certificate to appear in MOH test exam , how i can center up for MOH test exam from bangladesh "
ASIFUZZAMAN
Medical Qualification: BACHELOR IN DENTAL SURGERY{ B.D.S}
City, Country: BANGLADESH

Team Interface: For evaluation, DataFlow verifies your degree and licence directly with your university and council, so you upload clear copies, plus legal translations for anything not in English or Arabic. If MOHAP needs any extra attestation, it will ask for it in your application. After approval, choose an available Prometric centre when you book; see MOH Prometric centres.
Fahmida (Pakistan): converting a DHA licence to MOH, is attestation needed?

"I am a General Practitioner + Gyn/Obs. Do I have to get attested all my documents if I am converting DHA License to MOH. If so, Do I have to personally present to get attestation from Ministry of Foreign Affair in the UAE? Cant I send my Friend on with my request letter to get attestation from Ministry of foreign affairs in the UAE. Looking forward your reply. "
Fahmida
Medical Qualification: mbbs
City, Country: Pakistan

Team Interface: To transfer from DHA, your DHA licence must be valid; if it expired more than 6 months ago, MOHAP requires its exam. The new employer submits the transfer request using your licence number. Ask MOHAP or the employer if they need any attested document, as rules can vary. See DataFlow report transfer.
Dr Sane (Karachi, Pakistan): eligibility for a prosthodontist

"I am prosthodontic from Pakistan. I want to practice in UAE, pls help me to apply and let me know the eligibility criteria for this exam"
Dr Sane
Medical Qualification: bds
City, Country: Karachi, Pakistan

Team Interface: Your prosthodontics qualification is assessed under the PQR dental chapter, where the tier decides how much specialist experience you need. If you lack specialist experience, you may be accepted as a General Dentist. Details are on MOHAP requirements for dentists, and the MOH UAE Prosthodontics QBank covers the specialty exam.

Pass the MOHAP General Dentist exam with Interface

Clinical-case MCQs with explanations, subject-wise practice and timed Prometric-style mock exams for MOH UAE dentists.

Enroll in MOH UAE General Dentist QBank