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Diploma of Primary Care Dentistry (RCSI, Ireland)

Practice Questions106 questions

Exam Review

Key Facts: ie-mgds-rcsi Exam

20 + 60

CRA + SBA Questions

MGDS Regulations June 2024

3 hours

Total Exam Time

Faculty of Dentistry RCSI

3 years

Minimum Post-Graduation

MGDS Entry Requirements

Both sections

Must Pass CRA and SBA

MGDS Regulations

50%

Minimum CRA Pass Threshold

MGDS Regulations June 2024

Online

Available Worldwide

facultyofdentistry.ie

MGDS RCSI is a 3-hour online exam with 20 CRA short structured questions and 60 SBA questions, set above MFD level for dentists with 3+ years' experience who hold MFD/MFDS/MJDF. Candidates must pass both sections, including at least half of the CRA questions.

Sample ie-mgds-rcsi Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the ie-mgds-rcsi exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 110+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A 62-year-old man with stable angina on bisoprolol and aspirin presents for crown preparation on tooth 36. Blood pressure is 168/94 mmHg seated. Which pre-operative action is most appropriate before elective dental treatment?

A.Proceed without modification because blood pressure is below 180/110 mmHg

B.Prescribe prophylactic amoxicillin because of cardiac disease

C.Administer oral diazepam 10 mg and proceed immediately

D.Postpone elective treatment and refer for medical review because systolic pressure exceeds 160 mmHg

Explanation: For elective dental care, SDCEP and standard medical risk guidance recommend deferring treatment when seated blood pressure is above 160/100 mmHg until the patient is medically reviewed and optimised. Stable angina alone does not mandate antibiotic prophylaxis for routine dentistry in current guidance.

2Which cranial nerve provides general sensory innervation to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue (excluding taste)?

A.Facial nerve (CN VII)

B.Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)

C.Trigeminal nerve (CN V) via the lingual branch

D.Vagus nerve (CN X)

Explanation: General sensation from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue is carried by the lingual branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3). Taste from this region is transmitted separately via the chorda tympani branch of CN VII.

3A patient on warfarin with INR 3.8 requires extraction of a non-restorable lower molar. There is no active bleeding and no significant liver disease. What is the most appropriate management?

A.Extract without alteration and use local haemostatic measures

B.Stop warfarin for 5 days before extraction without bridging

C.Bridge with low-molecular-weight heparin and stop warfarin

D.Postpone indefinitely until INR is below 1.5

Explanation: For dental extractions in patients on warfarin, current guidance supports proceeding without routine discontinuation when INR is within the therapeutic range, using local haemostatic measures. An INR of 3.8 is elevated but not an absolute contraindication; liaison with the anticoagulation service is appropriate rather than unilateral cessation.

4Which laboratory finding is most consistent with iron-deficiency anaemia rather than anaemia of chronic disease?

A.Low serum ferritin with low mean corpuscular volume (MCV)

B.Normal ferritin with low MCV

C.High ferritin with low MCV

D.High ferritin with high MCV

Explanation: Iron-deficiency anaemia typically shows microcytosis (low MCV) with depleted iron stores reflected by low serum ferritin. Anaemia of chronic disease often presents with normal or elevated ferritin because ferritin acts as an acute-phase reactant.

5During inferior alveolar nerve block anaesthesia, a patient develops sudden ipsilateral eyelid drooping and conjunctival injection without loss of consciousness. What is the most likely explanation?

A.Intra-arterial injection of local anaesthetic

B.Hematoma of the pterygomandibular space

C.Transient facial nerve (CN VII) paralysis from diffusion of solution

D.Vasovagal syncope

Explanation: Transient CN VII paralysis can occur when local anaesthetic diffuses to the parotid region and affects the facial nerve. It is usually self-limiting and resolves as the anaesthetic wears off.

6Which statement best describes the mechanism of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ)?

A.Direct hepatotoxicity reducing vitamin D activation

B.Allergic hypersensitivity to nitrogen-containing compounds in the jaw

C.Stimulation of osteoblast overactivity causing sclerotic bone fracture

D.Inhibition of osteoclast-mediated bone remodelling impairing mucosal healing after trauma

Explanation: Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates inhibit farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase in osteoclasts, reducing bone turnover and impairing healing after dentoalveolar trauma. This predisposes to exposed necrotic bone, particularly after extractions or ill-fitting dentures.

7A diabetic patient reports polyuria, confusion, and sweating during a long restorative appointment. Capillary blood glucose reads 2.8 mmol/L. What is the immediate first step?

A.Administer intramuscular glucagon 1 mg

B.Administer subcutaneous insulin

C.Start intravenous 5% dextrose infusion

D.Give oral fast-acting carbohydrate (e.g. glucose gel or sugary drink) if conscious and able to swallow

Explanation: In conscious hypoglycaemia, the immediate management is fast-acting oral carbohydrate followed by reassessment after 10–15 minutes. IM glucagon is reserved for when the patient cannot safely swallow or is uncooperative.

8Which salivary gland is most commonly affected by sialolithiasis?

A.Parotid gland

B.Minor labial glands

C.Sublingual gland

D.Submandibular gland

Explanation: The submandibular gland is the most frequent site of salivary calculi because its Wharton's duct is long, ascends against gravity, and has mucus-rich saliva. Patients typically report meal-related swelling.

9Spread of infection from a mandibular molar periapical abscess may track to the submandibular space via which anatomical route?

A.Through the mental foramen directly into the buccal space

B.Through the incisive canal into the hard palate

C.Via the pterygopalatine fossa into the infratemporal space

D.Along the root apices and through the cortical plate into the submandibular compartment

Explanation: Odontogenic infections from mandibular molars commonly perforate the lingual or buccal cortical plate and spread into adjacent fascial spaces. The submandibular space is a frequent destination for lower molar infections.

10Which ECG change is most characteristic of acute hyperkalaemia relevant to dental emergency management?

A.ST elevation in anterior leads

B.Pathological Q waves

C.Peaked T waves and widened QRS complexes

D.Sinus bradycardia with prolonged PR only

Explanation: Hyperkalaemia produces progressive ECG changes including peaked T waves, prolonged PR interval, widened QRS, and eventually sine-wave patterns preceding cardiac arrest. Dental teams should recognise this when managing medically compromised patients.

About the ie-mgds-rcsi Exam

The Membership in General Dental Surgery (MGDS RCSI) is an international postgraduate examination assessing comprehensive knowledge across all areas of general dental practice at a standard higher than MFD RCSI. The online exam comprises a two-hour Clinical Reasoning Assessment with twenty short structured questions and a one-hour Single Best Answer paper with sixty questions. MGDS is registrable as an additional qualification with the Dental Council of Ireland.

Exam sponsor: Faculty of Dentistry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

3-hour online written exam: Section 1 — 2-hour Clinical Reasoning Assessment (20 short structured questions); Section 2 — 1-hour Single Best Answer paper (60 questions)

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

Pass both sections; candidates must pass at least half of the CRA questions

Exam / Certification Fees

See Faculty exam calendar (postgradexams.rcsi.ie)

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

~20%

Clinical Dentistry

Advanced restorative, endodontic, periodontal, prosthodontic, orthodontic, paediatric, and oral surgery scenarios.

~18%

Clinical Sciences & Therapeutics

Medical risk assessment, pharmacology, local anaesthesia, sedation, prescribing, and systemic disease.

~10%

Preventive Dentistry & Epidemiology

Caries and periodontal prevention, tooth wear, oral health promotion, and population data.

~8%

Radiology

Selection criteria, interpretation, SI 256/2018, EPA registration, and dose optimisation.

~12%

Emergencies & Special Care

Medical emergencies, acute dental infections, and special care dentistry.

~12%

Ethics & Patient Management

GDPR, consent, safeguarding, complaints, negligence, and record keeping.

~12%

Practice Management & Health and Safety

Audit, risk management, infection control, decontamination, and workplace safety.

~8%

Biomaterials & Evidence-Based Dentistry

Dental materials, impressions, critical appraisal, and research methods.

Preparing for the ie-mgds-rcsi Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Pass both sections; candidates must pass at least half of the CRA questions
Assessment: 3-hour online written exam: Section 1 — 2-hour Clinical Reasoning Assessment (20 short structured questions); Section 2 — 1-hour Single Best Answer paper (60 questions)
Time limit: 3 hours
Exam / certification fees: See Faculty exam calendar (postgradexams.rcsi.ie) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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ie-mgds-rcsi: Suggested Study Strategy

1Practice structured clinical reasoning with short-answer style scenarios — the CRA requires passing at least 10 of 20 questions.

2Review Irish radiation protection (SI 256/2018), GDPR, Children First Act, and Dental Council ethical guidance.

3Master medical emergency algorithms, adrenaline dosing, and management of anticoagulated patients.

4Study SDCEP antibiotic prescribing, conscious sedation standards, and local anaesthetic maximum doses.

5Understand practice governance: clinical audit cycles, risk registers, and decontamination validation.

6Critically appraise dental literature using PICO, sensitivity/specificity, and evidence hierarchies.

7Revisit advanced periodontology (2017 classification), endodontic complications, and implant-related decision-making.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MGDS RCSI examination?

The Membership in General Dental Surgery (MGDS RCSI) is awarded by the Faculty of Dentistry, RCSI, to dentists who pass a two-section online written examination assessing advanced knowledge of general dental practice.

What is the format of the MGDS RCSI exam?

Section 1 is a 2-hour Clinical Reasoning Assessment with 20 short structured questions. Section 2 is a 1-hour Single Best Answer paper with 60 questions. Both sections must be passed.

What are the entry requirements for MGDS RCSI?

Candidates must hold MFD RCSI, MFDS, or MJDF by examination and have at least three years post-graduation from dental school. A confirmation letter from the awarding Faculty is required.

How does MGDS compare to MFD RCSI?

MGDS is set at a higher standard than MFD RCSI and is intended for experienced general dental practitioners with at least three years post-qualification, whereas MFD assesses knowledge expected after 1–2 years of training.

Can MGDS RCSI be taken online?

Yes. The MGDS examination is delivered online worldwide. Candidates must meet the Faculty technology requirements including webcam, microphone, and stable internet.