🦷 How to Pass the DHA Dental Licensing Exam in Dubai (2025 Complete Guide)
Are you a dentist dreaming of building your career in Dubai or the UAE? One of the biggest obstacles between you and your license is the DHA Dental Licensing Exam. Every year, thousands of dentists apply — but many fail on their first attempt due to:
- ❌ Not knowing what topics to focus on
- ❌ Using outdated study notes or PDFs
- ❌ Poor time management during the exam
- ❌ Lack of proper guidance and mock test practice
✅ The good news? With the right preparation strategy and resources, passing the DHA exam on your first attempt is absolutely possible.
📘 What is the DHA Dental Exam?
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Dental Licensing Exam is a mandatory test for any dentist who wishes to practice in Dubai. It ensures all healthcare professionals meet international standards of safety and competence before treating patients in the UAE.
👩⚕️ Who is Eligible for the DHA Dental Exam?
To apply, candidates must meet the DHA eligibility requirements. These are updated periodically but generally include:
- Educational Qualification: BDS or equivalent from an accredited university.
- Professional Experience: Typically 2 years of clinical experience post-internship (internship mandatory in most cases).
- Good Standing Certificate: From your home country’s dental authority.
- DataFlow Verification: All documents (degree, license, experience) verified via Primary Source Verification (PSV).
- For Specialists: Recognized specialty degree (MDS, MSc, or equivalent) plus 2–3 years of practice post-master’s (depending on specialty).
- No nationality restrictions. Exam language: English.
📝 DHA Dental Exam Format (2025 Update)
- Number of Questions: 150 multiple-choice (single best answer).
- Duration: 3 hours (~1.2 minutes per question).
- Style: Case-based, clinically oriented (patient history, findings, radiographs).
- Coverage: Endodontics, Prosthodontics, Oral Surgery, Periodontics, Pediatrics, Radiology, Operative, Ethics, Infection Control.
- Passing Score: ~60–65% (aim higher for competitive positions).
🖥️ Step-by-Step Application Process
- Create a Sheryan account via the DHA portal.
- Upload documents for initial review.
- Complete DataFlow PSV verification.
- Begin preparation with Prometric Dental Learning:
- 📚 3,000+ updated MCQs
- 📝 3 full-length Mock Tests
- 🎯 Personalized study plans & coaching
- 👉 Start here
- Schedule your exam via Prometric once approved.
- Sit for the exam fully prepared and await results.
- Receive your DHA eligibility letter.
💡 Preparation Tips for First-Attempt Success
- 🔹 Study Smart, Not Hard: Focus on case-based MCQs and clinical reasoning.
- 🔹 Practice Full Mock Tests: Simulate the 3-hour format, review all rationales.
- 🔹 Revise High-Yield Textbooks: Ingle’s, Shillingburg, Malamed, Ten Cate (key chapters only).
- 🔹 Use Online Question Banks: Updated MCQs, mock tests, dashboards.
- 🔹 Stay Consistent: Structured 2–3 month plan with daily MCQs & weekly revisions.
- 🔹 Cover Weak but Tested Areas: Basic sciences, ethics, infection control.
- 🔹 Mindset & Exam Strategy: Sleep well, use elimination technique, manage time carefully.
🚫 Top 10 Mistakes DHA Candidates Make
- Studying only notes (forgetting DHA is case-based).
- Ignoring basic sciences.
- Poor time management (150 Qs in 180 min needs pacing).
- Starting DataFlow late (4–6 weeks needed).
- Skipping mock tests.
- Not reviewing why wrong answers are wrong.
- Underestimating ethics & infection control.
- Overconfidence in strong subjects, neglecting weak ones.
- Last-minute cramming.
- No structured guidance or updated resources.
🎯 Final Advice
The DHA Dental Exam is challenging, but entirely passable on the first attempt with the right preparation. Build a realistic study schedule, use updated resources, and practice full-length mock exams. Remember — it’s not just about knowledge, but applying clinical reasoning to real-world dental cases.
Ready to begin? Your journey to becoming a licensed dentist in Dubai starts now. With discipline and the right tools, you’ll soon be on your way to a successful career in the UAE.
🚀 Want access to updated DHA mock tests and 3,000+ MCQs with explanations?
👉 Join Prometric Dental Learning today and start your path to success!
