Ireland vs UK: What is the difference in Dental Licensing Exam for Overseas Dentists?

If you’re an overseas-trained dentist exploring career opportunities in Ireland or the UK, understanding the difference between the Irish Dental Council (IDC) Licensing Exam and the GDC ORE Exam is essential.

Application & Registration

Both countries require physical document submission, but the process varies:

UK – ORE Exam:

You must first create a GDC account and pay a fee of £96. Once your documents are approved, you can book the exam online once booking window is open- booking is extremely competitive and often depends on timing, internet speed, and luck.

Ireland – IDC Exam:

You apply when the registration window opens. If you’re eligible, the Dental Council directly allocates you a seat. There’s no “booking race,” but places are limited, making it competitive in a different way.

Eligibility Requirements

Understanding eligibility is crucial before you apply:

ORE (UK):

To be eligible for the ORE, you must have a minimum of 1,600 hours of clinical experience. These hours can be obtained during undergraduate training, internship, or post-qualification clinical practice.

IDC Exam (Ireland):

To be eligible for the IDC exam, you must have practised dentistry for at least 3 years within the past 5 years.

You also need to be registered with the regulatory authority in the country where you practiced and be able to obtain a Certificate of Good Standing.

Document Requirements

While both councils request similar core documents, there are important differences:

GDC (UK):

The GDC has stricter documentation requirements, often asking for a UK ENIC/NARIC statement to verify your qualification’s equivalency. Their English language criteria are also more stringent. You will need to get character reference as well.

For full details, candidates should review the GDC website before applying.

IDC (Ireland):

The IDC requirements are slightly less strict, and while proof of English proficiency is needed, the criteria are generally more flexible than the GDC.

Exam Structure

IDC Exam (Ireland)

• Part 1: Written paper (basic sciences ) and bench test

• Part 2: Written papers, OSCE, case discussions, and clinical viva

• Attempt limits: Part 1 (2 attempts), Part 2 (3 attempts)

ORE Exam (UK)

• Part 1: Computer-based MCQs and SBAs (mostly clinical sciences)

• Part 2: Manikin test, OSCE stations, and treatment planning

Cost Comparison

IDC (Ireland):

• First attempt: ~€1,500- for both parts

• Repeat: ~€750

ORE (UK):

• Part 1: ~£584

• Part 2: ~£4,235

• Repeat: you have to pay full exam fee

Which Exam Is Easier?

It’s difficult to say definitively, because both exams are challenging but absolutely doable with the right preparation. They assess competency at the level of a local graduate, and each has its own strengths and difficulties.

One key difference is transparency:

ORE (UK):

The GDC publishes performance statistics, including pass rates for Part 1 and Part 2. This gives candidates a clearer idea of the exam difficulty and trends over time.

IDC Exam (Ireland):

The IDC does not publish performance statistics or pass rates. This makes it harder to measure the exam’s difficulty from official data—experiences vary from candidate to candidate.

Overall, neither exam is “easy,” but both are achievable with structured preparation, good clinical fundamentals, and understanding of the exam format.

Key Takeaways

• Both exams are fully in-person.

• Both assess you at the level of a newly qualified local graduate.

• Both are competitive—but the method of securing a seat is very different.

• Both are challenging but doable with correct preparation

  
  

At HealthPath Ireland, we specialise in supporting overseas dentists with IDC exam preparation, documentation, and career planning, so you can confidently take your next step toward practising in Ireland.

We are proud to be the earliest course provider for the IDC, We have recently transitioned under Healthpath Ireland brand to provide more streamlined comprehensive services.

Ready to start your journey? Find out more about our dental courses.

Find Out More

Contact us:

Contact@healthpathireland.com

WhatsApp: 00353862707210