100+ Free MFDS Part 1 Practice Questions

Pass your MFDS Part 1 — Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (Royal College of Surgeons) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately

100+ Questions

100% Free

Loading practice questions...

Same family resources

Explore More UK Royal College Dental Exams

Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.

LDS Part 1 (RCS England)

Practice Questions100 questions

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: MFDS Part 1 Exam

150 SBA questions

Legacy MFDS Part 1 written paper question count

RCS England — MFDS Part 1

3 hours

Duration of the single best answer written paper

RCS England — MFDS Part 1

5 options

Each SBA question has a scenario, a stem and five options

RCS England — MFDS FAQ

No negative marking

All questions carry equal marks with no marks deducted for wrong answers

RCS England — MFDS FAQ

Variable pass mark

Pass mark set by standard setting for each sitting

MFDS Examination Regulations

≈£587

Approximate MFDS Part 1 examination fee

RCS Edinburgh — MFDS exam details

4 colleges

RCS England, RCSEd, RCPSG and RCSI run a common MFDS exam

Surgical royal colleges of the UK and Ireland

October 2026

Last sitting of the legacy 150-SBA Part 1 format before reform

RCS England — Changes to the MFDS exam

MFDS Part 1 is the written paper of the Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery, a postgraduate dental membership offered jointly by the UK and Ireland surgical royal colleges. The legacy format is a three-hour paper of 150 single best answer (SBA) questions, each with a clinical scenario and five options, carrying equal marks with no negative marking. There is no fixed pass mark; it is set by standard setting for each sitting, and the fee is approximately £587. Content follows the Dental Foundation Training curriculum across clinical dentistry, human disease, oral pathology and medicine, pharmacology, materials, microbiology, radiology and professionalism. This 100-question bank provides original SBA-style practice with full explanations. (Note: the colleges are changing the MFDS format over 2026–2027, with the last legacy-format sitting in October 2026.)

Sample MFDS Part 1 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your MFDS Part 1 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A 28-year-old presents with a deep carious lesion on a lower first molar. The tooth is sensitive to cold but pain resolves within seconds, and there is no spontaneous or lingering pain. Which pulpal diagnosis is most consistent with this picture?

A.Reversible pulpitis

B.Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis

C.Pulp necrosis

D.Acute apical abscess

Explanation: Short, sharp pain to cold that resolves quickly without lingering or spontaneous pain is the hallmark of reversible pulpitis, where inflammation will settle if the irritant (caries) is removed. Management is to remove the caries and restore the tooth.

2Which classification system describes the radiographic and clinical extent of periodontal attachment loss using stages I to IV and grades A to C?

A.Miller classification

B.2017 World Workshop classification of periodontal diseases

C.Black's classification of cavities

D.Angle classification

Explanation: The 2017 World Workshop (AAP/EFP) classification stages periodontitis I to IV by severity and complexity and grades A to C by rate of progression and risk factors. This replaced the older 1999 system.

3A patient avulses an upper central incisor. The tooth has been kept dry for 70 minutes before presentation. According to current guidelines, what is the most appropriate management of the root surface before replantation?

A.Replant immediately without touching the root

B.Scrub the root with chlorhexidine then replant

C.Accept that the periodontal ligament is non-viable and replant after removing necrotic ligament if indicated

D.Do not replant under any circumstances

Explanation: With an extra-oral dry time over 60 minutes the periodontal ligament cells are considered non-viable, so the long-term prognosis is poor and ankylosis/replacement resorption is expected. Replantation may still be done to maintain the socket, often after removing non-viable ligament, with the patient counselled about prognosis.

4In the FDI two-digit tooth notation, which tooth does the number 36 represent?

A.Upper right first molar

B.Lower left first molar

C.Lower right first molar

D.Upper left first molar

Explanation: In FDI notation the first digit (3) indicates the lower left (mandibular left) quadrant in the permanent dentition, and the second digit (6) is the first molar counting from the midline. So 36 is the lower left first molar.

5A 7-year-old has a newly erupted permanent first molar with deep, stained but non-cavitated occlusal fissures and no radiographic dentine caries. Which intervention is most appropriate as primary prevention?

A.Resin fissure sealant

B.Full coverage stainless steel crown

C.Composite restoration after occlusal access

D.Extraction and space maintenance

Explanation: A sound but caries-prone newly erupted molar with deep fissures and no cavitation is the classic indication for a resin fissure sealant, which physically occludes the fissure and prevents caries initiation.

6A patient has an Angle Class II division 1 malocclusion. Which feature is characteristic of this classification?

A.Lower first molar mesial to its Class I position with retroclined incisors

B.Upper first molar occluding mesial to the lower with proclined and prominent upper incisors

C.Reverse overjet with the lower incisors anterior to the upper

D.Edge-to-edge incisor relationship with normal molar relationship

Explanation: Angle Class II means the lower arch (and lower first molar) is positioned distally relative to the upper, so the upper molar is mesial to the lower. In division 1 the upper central incisors are proclined, producing an increased overjet.

7Which of the following is the principal mechanism by which fluoride reduces dental caries at low concentrations in the oral environment?

A.Systemic strengthening of enamel during tooth formation only

B.Promotion of remineralisation and inhibition of demineralisation at the enamel surface

C.Direct bactericidal killing of all oral streptococci

D.Stimulation of salivary flow rate

Explanation: The dominant caries-preventive action of fluoride is topical: it promotes remineralisation and inhibits demineralisation by forming fluorapatite-like surfaces that are more acid-resistant, shifting the demineralisation/remineralisation balance.

8A complete denture patient complains that the upper denture drops during wide opening and yawning. Which border extension error is the most likely cause?

A.Overextension into the hamular notch and posterior border

B.Underextension of the posterior palatal seal

C.Overextension of the labial flange affecting the buccal frenum

D.Overextension distobuccally impinging on the coronoid process during opening

Explanation: When the mandible opens widely the coronoid process moves forward and can displace an overextended distobuccal flange of the upper denture, causing it to dislodge on opening or yawning. Reducing the distobuccal flange in that zone resolves it.

9Which periodontal probing depth and feature combination best indicates a healthy periodontium with no loss of support?

A.Probing depths of 1-3 mm with no bleeding on probing and no attachment loss

B.Probing depths of 4-5 mm with bleeding on probing

C.Probing depths up to 6 mm with no bleeding

D.Probing depths of 1-3 mm with generalised bleeding on probing

Explanation: Periodontal health is defined by shallow probing depths (typically 1-3 mm), absence of bleeding on probing, and no clinical attachment loss. Bleeding on probing indicates inflammation even with shallow pockets.

10During root canal treatment of an upper first molar, how many root canals would most commonly be expected, including the frequently present second mesiobuccal canal?

A.Two canals

B.Three canals

C.Four canals

D.Five canals

Explanation: The maxillary first molar typically has three roots but frequently has four canals because the mesiobuccal root commonly contains a second mesiobuccal (MB2) canal in addition to the mesiobuccal, distobuccal and palatal canals.

About the MFDS Part 1 Exam

The MFDS (Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery) is a postgraduate dental membership qualification offered by the surgical royal colleges of the UK and Ireland. Part 1 is a written examination that tests the applied clinical knowledge and the basic and clinical sciences underpinning safe and effective dental practice, mapped to the Dental Foundation Training curriculum. The paper uses single best answer (SBA) questions, each presenting a clinical scenario, a question and five options from which the candidate chooses the single best answer. Content spans clinical dentistry, human disease and applied medicine and surgery relevant to dentistry, oral and maxillofacial pathology and oral medicine, pharmacology and therapeutics, dental materials, microbiology, radiology, and law, ethics, professionalism and evidence-based dentistry. Passing Part 1 is required before a candidate can attempt the MFDS Part 2 clinical examination.

Assessment

A single written paper of single best answer (SBA) multiple-choice questions. The legacy format contains 150 SBA questions, each a clinical scenario followed by a stem and five options; questions carry equal marks and the paper is not negatively marked.

Time Limit

Three hours for the single written SBA paper.

Passing Score

No fixed pass mark. The pass mark is set for each sitting by standard setting (modified Angoff) so the required score varies between diets according to question difficulty.

Exam Fee

Approximately £587 for the MFDS Part 1 examination; some overseas candidates pay more where local taxes apply. Confirm the current fee with the college you book through. (The four surgical royal colleges of the UK and Ireland (RCS England, RCS Edinburgh, RCPS Glasgow, RCSI), who run a common MFDS examination.)

MFDS Part 1 Exam Content Outline

40%

Clinical dentistry

Applied clinical knowledge across restorative dentistry, endodontics, periodontology, prosthodontics, paediatric dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery, dental trauma and treatment planning for safe general dental practice.

20%

Human disease and applied medicine and surgery

General medicine and surgery relevant to dentistry, including cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, haematological and infectious disease, medical emergencies in the dental surgery, and dental management of medically compromised patients.

15%

Oral and maxillofacial pathology and oral medicine

Oral mucosal disease, salivary gland disorders, odontogenic and non-odontogenic cysts and tumours, premalignant lesions and oral cancer, and the diagnosis of disease affecting the oral cavity and jaws.

10%

Pharmacology and therapeutics

Local anaesthetics, analgesics, antimicrobials, conscious sedation agents, anticoagulants, drug interactions and prescribing for dental patients, including emergency drugs and their indications.

10%

Dental materials, microbiology and radiology

Composition and properties of dental materials and their selection, oral microbiology and infection prevention and control, and the principles, interpretation and radiation protection of dental radiology.

Law, ethics, professionalism and evidence-based dentistry

Consent, confidentiality, GDC standards, safeguarding, complaints and professional behaviour, plus evidence-based dentistry, basic statistics and critical appraisal of dental research.

How to Pass the MFDS Part 1 Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: No fixed pass mark. The pass mark is set for each sitting by standard setting (modified Angoff) so the required score varies between diets according to question difficulty.
Assessment: A single written paper of single best answer (SBA) multiple-choice questions. The legacy format contains 150 SBA questions, each a clinical scenario followed by a stem and five options; questions carry equal marks and the paper is not negatively marked.
Time limit: Three hours for the single written SBA paper.
Exam fee: Approximately £587 for the MFDS Part 1 examination; some overseas candidates pay more where local taxes apply. Confirm the current fee with the college you book through.

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

MFDS Part 1 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Map your revision to the Dental Foundation Training curriculum, since MFDS Part 1 is written from that syllabus rather than from any single textbook.

2Practise reading SBA stems carefully and choosing the single best answer rather than any acceptable answer, because two options are often correct but one is clearly best.

3Prioritise medical emergencies, medically compromised patients and prescribing, as these applied-medicine topics are high yield and clinically important.

4Learn oral medicine and oral pathology by linking clinical appearance, typical patient and key histology, which makes diagnosis questions much faster.

5Drill dental materials and radiation protection facts, because exact figures and properties are commonly tested in single-fact SBA questions.

6Since there is no negative marking, answer every question, and flag uncertain items to revisit before the end of the three-hour paper.

Frequently Asked Questions

What format is the MFDS Part 1 examination?

MFDS Part 1 is a written paper of single best answer (SBA) questions. Each question gives a clinical scenario, a question stem and five options, from which you choose the single best answer. The legacy paper has 150 SBA questions over three hours with no negative marking.

How many questions are on MFDS Part 1 and how long is the exam?

The legacy MFDS Part 1 paper contains 150 single best answer questions to be completed in three hours. All questions carry equal marks and the paper is not negatively marked.

Is there a fixed pass mark for MFDS Part 1?

No. The pass mark is set for each sitting by a standard-setting process (modified Angoff), so the score needed to pass varies between diets depending on how difficult the questions are judged to be.

What does MFDS Part 1 cover?

It tests applied clinical knowledge and underpinning sciences mapped to the Dental Foundation Training curriculum: clinical dentistry, human disease and applied medicine and surgery, oral pathology and oral medicine, pharmacology, dental materials, microbiology, radiology, and law, ethics and professionalism.

Who administers the MFDS examination?

The surgical royal colleges of the UK and Ireland — RCS England, RCS Edinburgh, RCPS Glasgow and RCSI — run a common MFDS examination, and you book through one of these colleges.

Is the MFDS examination changing?

Yes. The colleges are reforming the MFDS qualification over 2026 and 2027, with the last sitting of the legacy 150-SBA Part 1 format in October 2026. Always check the current format and regulations on the college websites before booking.