📘 DHA Dental Exam 2025: Full Guide to Format, Strategy & Tips
The DHA Prometric Dental Exam is the gateway to practicing dentistry in Dubai. Updated in January 2025, the exam format, domain weightage, and passing criteria have become more defined — making proper preparation even more important.
📌 2025 DHA Dental Exam: Key Changes
- 150 MCQs in 170 minutes: The exam now consists of 150 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 2 hours and 50 minutes.
- Passing Criteria: You must score an overall 60%, and ≥ 60% in key clinical domains: Restorative (prosthodontics & operative), Oral Medicine/Surgery, and Periodontics.
- Domain Weightage:
- Prosthodontics & Operative: 46 questions
- Oral Medicine/Surgery: 31 questions
- Periodontics: 27 questions
- Orthodontics & Pediatric: 26 questions
- Endodontics: 20 questions
📝 Updated Exam Format & Syllabus
- Format: One-stage, computer-based MCQ exam (no clinical OSCE for general dentists).
- Clinical Content: Restorative, endodontics, prosthodontics, periodontics, oral surgery, pediatric dentistry, radiology, oral medicine.
- Non-Clinical: UAE/DHA laws, infection control, ethics, and patient safety.
- Style: Case-based scenario questions emphasizing evidence-based dental practice.
💰 Fees, Eligibility & Application Timeline
- Experience: Minimum 2 years full-time clinical experience post-internship.
- DataFlow Credential Verification: Takes 2–3 months on average.
- Costs Breakdown:
- ✔ Prometric exam: ~AED 280–300
- ✔ DataFlow: ~AED 1,000
- ✔ DHA licensing fee: ~AED 3,000 (after passing)
- Attempts: 3 attempts allowed (across DHA/MOH/DOH combined). After 3 failures, you must complete specialist training.
⏱ Timeline, Results & Validity
- Results: Uploaded to DHA portal within 24–48 hours.
- Eligibility Letter: Issued after success; valid for 1 year.
- DHA License Validity: 5 years, renewable with CME.
- Practice Gap Rule: If >5 years since clinical work, you’ll need 120 CPD hours before being eligible.
✅ Test-Taker Tips from Reddit & Forums
What recent test-takers are saying:
- 🕒 “I ran out of time in my 2nd attempt — practice timing!”
- ⚠ “You get only 3 tries. Each attempt costs nearly AED 1000 — don’t waste them.”
Key Tips:
- ⏱ Practice solving 150 questions in 170 mins (~1.13 min/Q)
- 🎯 Focus revision on the domains with mandatory ≥60% scores
- 📚 Practice full-length timed mocks with case-based questions
📚 Best Strategies to Pass the DHA Dental Exam
- Follow the official DHA syllabus: Prioritize Restorative, Oral Med/Surgery, and Periodontics.
- Use quality MCQs: Practice 2,000+ clinical-based questions via trusted platforms like Prometric Dental Learning.
- Study UAE Regulations: Review DHA laws, ethics, infection control, and patient rights.
- Simulate exam timing: Do timed mock exams — 150 Qs in 170 minutes.
- Track your performance: Use online tools to find weak topics and revise accordingly.
🌟 Final Word
The DHA Dental Exam 2025 requires more than just memorization. To pass, you’ll need:
- 🎯 Mastery of high-weight domains (Restorative, Oral Med, Perio)
- 🧠 Clinical reasoning skills through scenario-based practice
- ⏱ Strong time management for 150 questions in 170 minutes
- 🗂 Knowledge of DHA regulations and ethics
With strategic prep and the right resources, you can pass on your first attempt and start your career in Dubai’s fast-growing dental sector.
Start now at: www.prometricdentallearning.com and try the FREE trial.
