1. ADC Examination: Initial Assessment Process Explained

The ADC examination process along with initial assessment has been explained in this article. You can also watch the video for the same if you are unwilling to read the text.

The dentist who has got his or her bachelor dental degree from a non-Australian institution needs to pass the skill assessment test/examination conducted by the Australian Dental Council and register themselves in Dental Board of Australia to practice as a general dentist in Australia or to get a job in public or private sector.

The ADC test/examination is a screening examination to establish that dentists trained in dental schools which have not been formally reviewed and accredited by the ADC have the necessary knowledge and clinical competence to practice dentistry. 

Following are the steps, an overseas dentist needs to go through to qualify the ADC examination: 

• Initial assessment  
• ADC preliminary examination  
• ADC practical examination 

Books for ADC Examination

The following books have been recommended by Australian Dental Council.

General Dentistry

1. Australian Dental Association Inc. Policy Statement 6.5.1, Code of ethics for dentists.
2. Australian Dental Association, Victorian Branch. By-law 2, Ethics.
3. Fan KFM, Jones J. MCQs in dentistry, 2nd edn. Knutsford, UK: PasTest Ltd, 2010
4. Ireland R, ed. A dictionary of dentistry. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010
5. Mitchell DA, Mitchell L. Oxford handbook of clinical dentistry, 7th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014

ADC Written Exam – Complete Guide (Pattern, Syllabus, Strategy)

 

ADC Written Exam – Complete Guide for Overseas Dentists (2026)

The ADC Written Examination is the first mandatory assessment conducted by the Australian Dental Council for overseas-trained dentists seeking registration in Australia. This guide explains the structure, domains, marking logic, and preparation strategy based on the current ADC examination framework.

What Is the ADC Written Examination?

The ADC Written Examination is a scenario-based assessment designed to evaluate clinical reasoning, patient safety, and decision-making aligned with Australian dental practice standards.

Who Needs to Take the ADC Written Exam?

• Dentists with qualifications obtained outside Australia
• Candidates assessed through the ADC Initial Assessment pathway
• Applicants seeking general dental registration in Australia

ADC Written Exam Structure

ADC Exam Coaching in India- Prelims & Practical explained

You can see videos for Initial assessment update, Written exam update, and Practical exam update by clicking at the links. (updated on Nov. 4, 2024). You can watch the video HERE, if you do not want to read text.

The Australian Dental Council conducts a series of assessment exams for accreditation of the scientific knowledge, technical and clinical skills and ability to make a clinical judgement of patient care of an overseas dentist whose dental graduate degree is not recognized by the Dental Board of Australia.

Once an overseas dentist successfully clears the assessment process, he or she can register with DBA as a GP and can practice Dentistry in Australia.

Australian Dental Council assessment process is a three-stage process. The first is the initial assessment that I have already explained in the episode 1 of our video series. Now, in episode 2 of the video series, I shall explain the second stage which is written exam and third stage which is practical exam. After going through this video, you will become familiar and confident with every aspect of the exam.