Overseas Dental
Practitioners
Guidance for overseas-qualified dental practitioners who wish to register with the SLMC and practise dentistry in Sri Lanka — covering qualification assessment, the qualifying examination, temporary registration, and the path to full registration.
Assessment
Dental qualification reviewed by SLMC
Qualifying
Examination may be required
Temporary
Supervised practice during assessment
40 pts
CPD points required per year
Registration Pathway
Step-by-step process from application submission to full SLMC dental registration.
Read moreQualifying Examination
Structure and eligibility of the dental qualifying examination for overseas-qualified practitioners.
Read moreTemporary Registration
Apply for temporary registration to practise while your qualification is under assessment.
Read moreCPD & Obligations
Annual CPD requirements and renewal obligations for overseas dental practitioners.
Read moreRegistration Pathway
Overseas dental practitioners must submit an application, have their qualification assessed, and — where required — sit a qualifying examination before full SLMC dental registration is granted. The route depends on whether your degree is from a recognised institution.
Prepare Your Documents
Gather: your primary dental degree, academic transcripts, Certificate of Good Standing from your current dental regulatory authority, passport copy, two photographs, and evidence of clinical dental experience following graduation.
Submit Online Application
Complete the overseas dental registration application through the SLMC e-Services portal. Upload certified copies of all documents and pay the overseas assessment fee. An acknowledgement with a reference number will be issued immediately.
Qualification Assessment
The SLMC Dental Qualifications Assessment Board reviews your BDS or equivalent degree, the awarding institution's accreditation status, curriculum content, and clinical hours. Degrees from institutions on the SLMC Recognised Institutions list are fast-tracked.
Qualifying Examination (if required)
Applicants whose dental degree is not exempt must sit a qualifying examination comprising written and clinical components. Temporary registration may be granted to practise under supervision while sitting the examination.
Full Dental Registration Granted
Once your qualification is accepted or the qualifying examination is passed, you are entered on the SLMC dental register and a registration certificate is issued. Annual renewal applies from the following year.
Full Overseas Registration Guide
Detailed requirements, documents, and fee schedule for overseas dental registration.
Documents Required
- BDS or equivalent degree (certified copy)
- Academic transcripts (certified)
- Certificate of Good Standing from dental regulatory body
- Evidence of post-graduation clinical experience
- Passport or NIC (certified copy)
- 2 × passport-sized photographs
- Specialist certificates (if applicable)
Exam Exemptions
You may be exempt from the qualifying exam if you hold:
- A BDS from a SLMC-recognised overseas dental school
- MFD RCSI / MFDS RCS (UK / Ireland)
- Fellowship of the College of Dental Surgeons of Sri Lanka (FCDSSL)
- MDS from a Sri Lankan university
Dental Qualifying Examination
Overseas dental practitioners whose degree is not on the SLMC exemption list must sit a qualifying examination assessing dental knowledge and clinical skills to the standard required for registration in Sri Lanka.
Written Component
Covers Dental Sciences (anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, pharmacology relevant to dentistry) and Clinical Dentistry (restorative, surgical, paediatric, orthodontics, periodontics). MCQ and short answer format.
Clinical Component
Station-based OSCE assessing clinical dental skills, case assessment, radiograph interpretation, treatment planning, and patient communication. Held at an approved dental faculty.
Rules & Eligibility
- Held twice per year — dates published on the SLMC Examinations page
- A maximum of 4 attempts per component are permitted
- Clinical component may only be attempted after passing the Written component
- Passed components are retained — candidates need not repeat passed sections
- Temporary registration may be held for up to 2 years while completing the examination
Examination Dates & Application
Upcoming dates, application window, and syllabus on the SLMC Examinations page.
Exam at a Glance
- Components Written + Clinical
- Held Twice yearly
- Max attempts 4 per component
- Pass retained Indefinitely
- Application Via e-Services
Temporary Registration
Overseas dental practitioners whose applications are under assessment or who are preparing for the qualifying examination may apply for temporary registration. This permits supervised dental practice in an approved institution while the full registration process is underway.
What It Allows
- Supervised dental practice in an approved institution
- Sitting the qualifying examination while employed
- Accumulating Sri Lankan clinical experience
- Applying for full registration upon exam pass or qualification acceptance
Restrictions
- Supervision required at all times — no independent practice
- Cannot establish a private dental practice
- Maximum duration of 2 years (extendable by application)
- Specialist endorsement not available on temporary registration
Apply for Temporary Registration
Submit your temporary registration application through the Registration page or e-Services portal.
Temporary Reg. Documents
- Temporary registration application form
- BDS or equivalent degree (certified copy)
- Certificate of Good Standing
- Letter of appointment from approved institution
- Supervision arrangement confirmation
- Passport copy (certified)
- 2 × passport-sized photographs
- Fee payment confirmation
CPD & Ongoing Obligations
Overseas dental practitioners on the full register have the same annual CPD and renewal obligations as locally-qualified practitioners.
40 CPD Points/Year
40 points per year required, including minimum 15 from accredited dental CME (SLDA events or SLMC-recognised overseas bodies).
Annual Renewal
Renewal must be completed by 28 February each year via e-Services. CPD declaration and fee payment required.
Certificate Download
Download your current dental registration certificate at any time via the e-Services portal.
Good Standing Letter
Request a Certificate of Good Standing from the SLMC confirming active dental registration in good standing.
Scope of Practice
Overseas dental practitioners are bound by the same scope of practice rules. Practising outside scope is a disciplinary offence.
CPD Portfolio
Log dental CPD activities and submit your annual return through the e-Services CPD module by 31 January each year.
Practise Dentistry in Sri Lanka
Ready to Apply?
Start your overseas dental registration application through the SLMC e-Services portal.