The Overseas Registration Exam (ORE) content and format of the ORE

The Overseas Registration Exam (ORE) is designed to test the knowledge, skills and
professionalism relating to the practise of dentistry expected of graduate dentists on first
registration with the General ental !ouncil (G!)" This means that #$ graduates and
overseas dentists are expected to have the same %asic level of knowledge and skills"
&ou are not expected to %e familiar with the 'ational (ealth )ervice ('()) or *ritish
culture other than in the way it might affect how you treat patients" &ou should %e familiar
with how people in the #$ might %ehave + you should not make assumptions a%out a
patient %ased on their gender or ethnic origin, for example"
,t is advisa%le to familiarise yourself with the G! guidance to registrants as you will %e
expected to conduct yourself in line with the advice they give"
-ain guidance .
)tandards for dental professionals/
)upplementary guidance .
0rinciples of consent/
0rinciples of confidentiality/
0rinciples of dental team working/
0rinciples of raising concerns/ and
0rinciples of complaints handling"
The following pages descri%e1
The level of knowledge and skills re2uired of a successful ORE candidate/
ORE 0art 3 format (including sample 2uestions) and content
ORE 0art 4 format and content
ORE %lueprint
Knowledge and Skills
The overseas dentist should %e a%le to demonstrate that his or her clinical skills and
knowledge are at the level re2uired for success in a final examination of a #$
*)5*!h programme"
&ou are expected to a%le to show competence, knowledge and familiarity in different
aspects of dentistry as outlined in The First Five Years A Framework for
Undergraduate Dental Education (General Dental Council re!rinted "anuar# $%%&'(
As stated in paragraph of TFFY! candidates sho"ld#
$e competent at# you should have a sound theoretical knowledge and
understanding of the su%6ect together with an ade2uate clinical experience to %e
a%le to resolve clinical pro%lems encountered, independently, or without assistance
%ave knowledge of# you should have a sound theoretical knowledge of the
su%6ect, %ut need have only a limited clinical5practical experience
$e familiar with# you should have a %asic understanding of the su%6ect, %ut need
not have direct clinical experience or %e expected to carry out procedures
independently"
7 successful ORE candidate will1
$&O'E(&)A* S)&E+)ES A+( ORA* $&O*O,-
have knowledge of anatomy, physiology and %iochemistry relevant to dentistry/
have knowledge and understanding of %iomedical sciences and of oral physiology
and craniofacial, oral and dental anatomy in the management of their patients/
$E%A.&O/RA* S)&E+)ES
%e competent at communication with patients, other mem%ers of the dental
team and other health professionals/
%e familiar with the social and psychological issues relevant to the care of patients/
%/'A+ (&SEASE
have knowledge of the scientific principles of sterilisation, disinfection and
antisepsis/
have knowledge of the pharmacological properties of those drugs used in general
practice including their unwanted effects/
%e familiar with the pathological features and dental relevance of common
disorders of the ma6or organ systems/
%e familiar with the role of therapeutics in the management of patients re2uiring
dental treatment/
%e familiar with the general aspects of medicine and surgery/
%e familiar with the main medical disorders that may impinge on dental treatment/
%e familiar with the work of healthcare workers/
%e familiar with the place of dentistry in the provision of healthcare/
'E(&)A* E'ER,E+)&ES
%e competent at carrying out resuscitation techni2ues and immediate management
of cardiac arrest, anaphylactic reaction, upper respiratory o%struction, collapse,
vasovagal attack, haemorrhage, inhalation or ingestion of foreign %odies, and
dia%etic coma/
have knowledge of diagnosing medical emergencies and delivering suita%le
emergency drugs using, where appropriate, intravenous techni2ues/
*A0! ET%&)S A+( 1RO2ESS&O+A*&S'
%e competent at maintaining full, accurate clinical records/
have knowledge of responsi%ilities of consent, duty of care and confidentiality/
have knowledge of patients8 rights/
have knowledge of the regulatory functions of the General ental !ouncil/
%e familiar with the legal and ethical o%ligations of registered dental practitioners/
%e familiar with the o%ligation to practise in the %est interest of the patient at all
times/
%e familiar with the need for lifelong learning and professional development/
%EA*T% &+2OR'AT&)S
%e competent at using information technology/
%e familiar with the law as it applies to records/
&+TRO(/)T&O+ TO )*&+&)A* (E+T&STR-
%e competent at o%taining a detailed history of the patient8s dental state/
%e competent at o%taining a relevant medical history/
%e competent at using la%oratory and imaging facilities appropriately and
efficiently/
%e competent at clinical examination and treatment planning/
%e competent at arranging appropriate referrals/
%e competent at maintaining an aseptic techni2ue throughout surgical procedures/
%e competent at o%taining informed consent/
have knowledge of managing patients from different social and ethnic
%ackgrounds/
have knowledge of dental pro%lems that may manifest themselves in older patients
and of the principles involved in the management of such pro%lems/
have knowledge of working as part of the dental team/
%e familiar with the complex interactions %etween oral health, nutrition, general
health, drugs and diseases that can have an impact on dental care and disease/
RESTORAT&.E (E+T&STR-
%e competent at diagnosing and planning preventive, non.operative care for the
individual patient who presents with dental caries, periodontal diseases and tooth
wear/
%e competent at completing a periodontal examination and charting, diagnosis and
treatment plan/
%e competent at supragingival and su%gingival scaling and root de%ridement,
using %oth powered and manual instrumentation, and in stain removal and
prophylaxis/
%e competent at knowing when and how to prescri%e appropriate anti.micro%ial
therapy in the management of pla2ue.related diseases/
%e competent at completing a range of procedures in restorative dentistry including
amalgam and tooth.coloured restorations, endodontic treatments of single. and
multi.rooted teeth, anterior and posterior crowns, post crowns, simple %ridges, and
partial and complete dentures/
%e competent at deciding whether severely %roken down teeth are restora%le/
%e competent at designing effective indirect restorations and complete and partial
dentures/
have knowledge of when periodontal surgery might %e advised/
have knowledge of how missing teeth should %e replaced, choosing %etween
the alternatives of no replacements, %ridges, dentures or implants/
have knowledge of the design and la%oratory procedures used in the production of
crowns, %ridges, partial and complete dentures and %e a%le to make appropriate
chair.side ad6ustment to these restorations/
%e familiar with the diagnosis and management of temporomandi%ular 6oint
disorders/
%e familiar with dental implants as an option in replacing missing teeth/
(E+TA* $&O'ATER&A*S S)&E+)E
have knowledge of the science that underpins the use of dental %iomaterials/
have knowledge of the limitations of dental materials/
%e familiar with those aspects of %iomaterial safety that relate to dentistry/
1AE(&ATR&) (E+T&STR-
%e competent at diagnosing active caries and planning appropriate nonoperative
care/
%e competent at fissure sealing, preventive resin restorations, and pit and fissure
restorations/
%e competent in undertaking approximal and incisal tip restorations/
have knowledge of preformed stainless steel crown and pulp therapy in primary
molar teeth/
have knowledge of the role of sedation in the management of young patients/
have knowledge of the management of trauma in %oth dentitions/
ORT%O(O+T&)S
%e competent at carrying out an orthodontic assessment including an indication of
treatment need/
%e competent at managing appropriately all forms of orthodontic emergency
including referral when necessary/
%e competent at making appropriate referrals %ased on assessment/
have the knowledge to %e a%le to explain and discuss treatments with patients and
their parents/
have the knowledge to %e a%le to design, insert and ad6ust space maintainers/
have the knowledge to design, insert and ad6ust active remova%le appliances to
move a single tooth or correct a cross%ite/
%e familiar with contemporary treatment techni2ues/
%e familiar with the limitations of orthodontic treatment/
1RE.E+T&.E (E+T&STR-
%e competent at oral hygiene instruction, dietary analysis, topical fluoride therapy
and fissure sealing/
%e familiar with an evidence.%ased approach to treatment/
(E+TA* 1/$*&) %EA*T%
%e familiar with the prevalence of certain dental conditions in the #$/
%e familiar with the importance of community.%ased preventive measures/
%e familiar with the social, cultural and environmental factors which contri%ute to
health or illness/
%e familiar with the principles of recording oral conditions and evaluating data/
)O'1RE%E+S&.E ORA* )ARE
%e competent at working with other mem%ers of the dental team/
have knowledge of providing a comprehensive approach to oral care/
ORA* S/R,ER-
%e competent at undertaking the extraction of teeth and the removal of roots where
necessary/
%e competent at undertaking minor soft tissue surgery/
have knowledge of the management of acute infection/
%e familiar with the principles of assessment and management of maxillofacial
trauma/
%e familiar with the diagnosis of oral cancer and the principles of tumour
management/
%e familiar with the principles of treatment of dento.facial anomalies including the
common orthodontic5maxillofacial procedures involved/
%e familiar with the %asic principles of oral surgery practice/
ORA* 'E(&)&+E
have knowledge of the drugs commonly used in oral medicine and of their side
effects and drug interactions/
have knowledge of appropriate special investigations and the interpretation of their
results/
%e familiar with the pathogenesis of common oral medical disorders and their
treatment/
ORA* 1AT%O*O,- A+( ORA* '&)RO$&O*O,-
have knowledge of the role of la%oratory investigations in diagnosis/
have knowledge of the pathogenesis and classification of oral diseases/
have knowledge of the aetiology and processes of oral diseases/
have knowledge of matters relating to infection control/
have knowledge of the causes and effects of oral diseases needed for their
prevention, diagnosis and management/
(E+TA* RA(&O*O,- A+( &'A,&+,
%e competent at taking and processing the various film views used in general
dental practice/
%e competent at radiographic interpretation and %e a%le to write an accurate
radiographic report/
have knowledge of the ha9ards of ionising radiation and regulations relating to
them, including radiation protection and dose reduction/
%e familiar with the principles which underlie dental radiographic techni2ues/
1A&+ A+( A+3&ET- )O+TRO*
%e competent at infiltration and regional %lock analgesia in the oral cavity/
%e competent at when, how and where to refer a patient for general anaesthesia/
%e competent at managing fear and anxiety with %ehavioural techni2ues and
empathise with patients in stressful situations/
have knowledge of inhalational and intravenous conscious sedation techni2ues/
have knowledge of conscious sedation techni2ues in clinical practice"
ORE 1art 2ormat
0art 3 of the test comprises two, three.hour written papers, undertaken on a computer
and is made up of Extended -atching :uestions (E-:s) and -ultiple !hoice :uestions
(-!:s) in the form of )ingle *est 7nswer 2uestions ()*7s)"
Extended matching 4"estions (E'5s)
Extended matching 2uestions are grouped into themes" Each theme has a heading that
tells you what the 2uestions are a%out"
;ithin each theme there are several num%ered items" These are the 2uestions and the
pro%lems you have to solve" There are examples in the next section"
;e recommend that you %egin %y reading carefully the instruction that precedes the
num%ered items"
;e recommend that you consider each of the num%ered items and decide what you
think the answer is" &ou should then look for that answer in the list of options a%ove the
items (each of which is identified %y a letter of the alpha%et)" ,f you cannot find the
answer you have thought of, you should look for the option which, in your opinion, is the
%est answer to the pro%lem posed"
<or each num%ered item, you must choose O'E, and only one, of the options" &ou may
feel that there are several possi%le answers to an item, %ut you must choose the %est
one from the option list" ,f you enter more than one answer on the answer sheet you will
gain no mark for the 2uestion even though you may have given the right answer along
with one or more wrong ones"
On occasions you may feel that more than one option offers a credi%le answer" ,n such
circumstances the examiners are looking for the single answer that is generally accepted
to accord with current %est practice or clinical guidelines"
,n each theme there are more options than items, so not all the options will %e used as
answers" This is why the instruction says that some options may not %e used at all"
7lternatively a given option may provide the answer to more than one item" <or example,
for two different scenarios the most likely diagnosis could %e the same" ,n this case the
option would %e used more than once"
Example E'5s
Example 3 + a!!earances of oral tissue
The options provided %elow are diagnoses for conditions with characteristic
appearances that may %e recognised when examining patients= mouths" <or each clinical
scenario descri%ed choose the single most likely diagnosis from the list of options" Each
option may %e used once, more than once, or not at all"
Options list1
7" !ircumvallate papillae
*" <iliform papillae
!" <ordyce spots
" >eukoedema
E" >eukoplakia
<" >ingual tonsils
G" -andi%ular tori
(" 0alatal tori
!linical scenarios
3" )e%aceous glands visi%le as white or cream coloured spopts up to ?"@mm
diameter usually present in the la%ial and %uccal mucosa" )
4" *ilateral raised red lumps, which enlarge during viral infections, at the lateral
%orders of the %ase of the tongue" 2
A" 7 row of B.34 pink5red lumps on the dorsum of the tongue at the 6unction of the
anterior two thirds and posterior third of the tongue" A
C" 7 milky white translucent whitening of the oral mucosa, commoner in %lack
races which disappears on stretching the mucosa" (
@" *ilateral %ony hard swellings on the lingual aspect of the mandi%le in the
premolar regions6 ,
Example 4 + Theme1 use of anti)iotics
<or each of the clinical scenarios descri%ed %elow, select the most appropriate anti%iotic
from the options list" Each might %e used once, more than once, or not at all"
Options list1
A. 7moxicillin 4@?mg 2ds" for @ days
B. 7moxicillin @??mg %d" for D days
C. 7moxicillin 3g intravenously
D. 7moxicillin Ag single oral dose
E. 79ithromycin @??mg single oral dose
F. !lindamycin E??mg single oral dose
G. Erythromycin 4@?mg 2ds for @ days
H. -etronida9ole 4??mg tds for D days
I. -etronida9ole 4??mg 2ds for D days
J. 0enicillin F 34@mg 2ds" for @ days
K. 0enicillin F 4@?mg 2ds" for @ days
L. Tetracydine 4@?mg 2ds" for @ days
!linical scenarios1
3" 7 @?.year.old man with a prosthetic heart valve re2uiring a tooth extraction"
There is no other relevant medical history" (
4" The same patient who re2uires a further dental procedure three weeks after the
extraction" 2
A" 7 @@.year.old man who is allergic to penicillin and who is una%le to swallow
capsules" E
C" 7 E?.year old woman with a previous history of endocarditis re2uiring scaling and
root planning and who is allergic to penicillin" 2
@" 7 @.year.old child attends in the dental emergency clinic at the weekend, with
swelling of the right side of the face resulting from an a%scessed tooth" There is
no significant medical history" 7
E" 7 4A.year.old woman presents complaining of Gsore=, red, %leeding gums and
halitosis" %
D" 7 pyrexic A?.year.old man presents with an exacer%ation of an apical infection
two days after initiation of root canal therapy" K
Single $est Answer 4"estions (S$As)
)ingle *est 7nswer 2uestions are characterised %y a 2uestion, which may %e %ased on
a clinical scenario, followed %y a set of usually five possi%le answers" &ou are asked to
choose what you think is the most accurate answer"
Example S$As
Example 3 . ;hilst undertaking root canal preparation of a lower molar tooth
anaesthetised with interior alveolar nerve %lock, the patient experiences pain"
;hich root canal is most likely to contain sensitive tissue1
isto%uccal root canal
istolingual root canal
-esio%uccal root canal
'esioling"al root canal
istal root canal
Example 4 . &ou are considering your choice of local analgesia for a surgical procedure
which you anticipate will %e Gdifficult="
;hich one of the following agents provides the most prolonged analgesiaH
7rticaine
$"pivicaine
>idocaine (lignocaine)
-epivicaine
0rilocaine
Example A . 7 @3 year old man with chronic periodontal disease complains of polyuria,
thirst and lethargy at his treatment review
"
;hich of the following medical conditions is most likely to %e associated with his
presenting conditionH
7ngina
!ushing=s syndrome
(ia8etes mellit"s
>ymphoma
Tu%erculosis
Example C . 7 two year old experienced trauma to her upper deciduous incisors" ;hat is
the most likely permanent conse2uence for the developing incisorsH
(ilacerated tooth
Enamel hypoplasia
Geminated tooth
(utchinson=s incisor
Turner=s tooth
ORE 1art )ontent
The purpose of 0art 3 is to test the candidates= application of knowledge to clinical
practice"
The ORE 0art 3 consists two papers testing candidates= knowledge of1
0aper 3
)linicall9 applied dental science/
!lick here for examples of the topics that may %e covered
)linicall9 applied h"man disease/
!lick here for examples of the topics that may %e covered
0aper 4
All aspects of clinical dentistr9! incl"ding law and ethics and health and safet9"
!lick here for examples of the topics that may %e covered
<or more detailed information on the possi%le topic areas, please refer to the *nowledge
and +kills section a%ove"
&ou will see that some learning outcomes may %e covered in either 0aper 3 and5or in
0aper 4" <or example the applied implications of anatomy for 0rosthodontics or Oral
)urgery may %e covered in 0aper 3 while the relationship of clinical procedures to
anatomical features may %e covered in 0aper 4" )imilarly in relation to materials 0aper 3
might look at clinical application from the science viewpoint while 0aper 4 might relate
clinical techni2ue to the underlying science"
Examples of knowledge areas tested in ORE 1art papers and :6 1lease note that this list is not exha"stive and provides 9o"
with areas that MAY be tested. You may also be tested on areas that are not covered below.
Biomedical Sciences and Oral Biology 0aper 0aper 4
$nowledge of anatomy, physiology and %iochemistry relevant to dentistry I
$nowledge and understanding of %iomedical sciences and of oral physiology and craniofacial, oral and dental
anatomy in the management of patients
I I
Human Disease
$nowledge of the scientific principles of sterilisation, disinfection and antisepsis I I
$nowledge of the pharmacological properties of drugs used in general dental practice and their unwanted effects I I
$nowledge of disease processes such as infection, inflammation, disorders of the immune system, degeneration,
neoplasia, meta%olic distur%ances and genetic disorders
I
<amiliarity with the pathological features and dental relevance of common disorders of ma6or organ systems I
<amiliarity with role of therapeutics in the management of patients re2uiring dental treatment I I
<amiliarity with general aspects of medicine and I I
<amiliarity with main medical disorders that may impinge on dental treatment I I
<amiliarity with the work of healthcare workers I
Medical mergencies
!ompetence in carrying out resuscitation techni2ues and management of cardiac arrest, anaphylactic reaction, upper
respiratory o%struction, collapse, vasovagal attack, haemorrhage, inhalation or ingestion of foreign %odies, and
dia%etic coma
I I
$nowledge of diagnosing medical emergencies and delivering suita%le emergency drugs using, where appropriate,
intravenous techni2ues
I I
!aw" thics and #ro$essionalism
$nowledge of responsi%ilities of consent, duty of care and confidentiality I
$nowledge of the permitted duties of !0s I
$nowledge of the regulatory functions of the General ental !ouncil I
<amiliarity with the legal and ethical o%ligations of general dental practitioners I I
<amiliarity with the need for lifelong learning and professional development I
%ntroduction to &linical Dentistry
!ompetence in o%taining a detailed history of a patient=s dental state + pain history, pain scenarios I
!ompetence in o%taining a relevant medical history I
!ompetence in using la%oratory and imaging facilities appropriately and efficiently I
!ompetence in clinical examination and treatment planning I
!ompetence in arranging appropriate referrals I
!ompetence in maintaining an aseptic techni2ue during surgical procedures I
!ompetence in o%taining informed consent + competence, when written consent re2uired I
$nowledge in managing patients from different social and ethnic %ackgrounds I
$nowledge of dental pro%lems that may manifest themselves in older patients and of the principles involved in the
management of such pro%lems
I
$nowledge of working as part of a dental team I
<amiliarity with the complex interactions %etween oral health, nutrition, general health, drugs and diseases that can
have an impact on dental care and disease
I
'estorative Dentistry
!ompetence in diagnosing and planning preventive, non.operative care for the individual patient with caries,
periodontal disease or tooth wear
I
!ompetence in completing a periodontal examination and charting, diagnosis and treatment plan I
!ompetence in supragingival and su%gingival scaling and root de%ridement, using %oth powered and manual, and in
stain removal and prophylaxis
I
!ompetence in completing a range of procedures in restorative dentistry including amalgam and tooth.coloured
restorations, endodontic treatments of single. and multi.rooted teeth, anterior and posterior crowns, post crowns,
simple %ridges, and partial and complete dentures
I
$nowledge of when periodontal surgery may %e advised I
$nowledge of how missing teeth should %e replaced, choosing %etween the alternatives of no replacement, %ridges,
dentures or implants
I
$nowledge of the design and la%oratory procedures used in the production of crowns, %ridges, partial and complete
dentures and a%ility to make appropriate chair.side ad6ustment to these restorations
I
<amiliarity with the diagnosis and management of temporomandi%ular 6oint disorders I
<amiliarity with dental implants as an option in replacing missing teeth I
Dental Biomaterials Science
$nowledge of the science that underpins the use of dental %iomaterials I I
$nowledge of the (strengths and) limitations of dental materials I I
<amiliarity with those aspects of %iomaterial safety that relate to dentistry I I
#aediatric Dentistry
!ompetence in diagnosing active caries and planning appropriate non.operative care in children I
!ompetence in fissure sealing, preventive resin restorations, and pit and fissure restorations I
!ompetence in undertaking approximal and incisal tip restorations I
$nowledge of the preformed stainless steel crown and pulp therapy in primary molar teeth I
$nowledge of the role of sedation in the management of young patients I
$nowledge of the management of trauma in %oth dentitions I
Orthodontics
!ompetence in carrying out an orthodontic assessment including an indication of treatment need I
#reventive Dentistry
!ompetence in oral hygiene instruction, dietary analysis, topical fluoride therapy and fissure sealing I
<amiliarity with (,ractise) an evidence.%ased approach to treatment I I
Dental #ublic Health
<amiliarity with the prevalence of certain dental conditions in the #$ I I
<amiliarity with the importance of community.%ased preventive measures I
<amiliarity with the social, cultural and environmental factors which contri%ute to health or illness I
<amiliarity with the principles of recording oral conditions and evaluating data I
Oral Surgery
!ompetence in undertaking the extraction of teeth and the removal of roots where necessary I
!ompetence in undertaking minor soft tissue surgery I I
$nowledge of the management of acute infection I I
<amiliarity with the principles of assessment and management of maxillofacial trauma I
<amiliarity with the diagnosis of oral cancer and the principles of tumour management I I
<amiliarity with the principles of treatment of dento.facial anomalies including the common orthodontic5maxillofacial
procedures involved
I I
<amiliarity with the %asic principles of oral surgery practice I I
Oral Medicine
$nowledge of the drugs commonly used in oral medicine and their side effects and interactions I I
$nowledge of appropriate special investigations and the interpretation of their results I I
<amiliarity with the pathogenesis of common oral medical disorders and their treatment I I
Oral #athology and Oral Microbiology
$nowledge of the role of la%oratory investigations in diagnosis I I
$nowledge of (com!etence in) matters relating to infection control I
$nowledge of the causes and effects of oral diseases needed for their prevention, diagnosis and management I
Dental 'adiology and %maging
!ompetence in taking and processing the various film views used in general dental practice I I
!ompetence in radiographic interpretation and a%ility to write an accurate radiographic report I I
$nowledge of the ha9ards of ionising radiation and regulations relating to them, including radiation protection and
dose regulation
I I
<amiliarity with the principles that underlie dental radiographic techni2ues I
#ain and An(iety &ontrol
!ompetence in infiltration and regional %lock analgesia in the oral cavity I
!ompetence and knowledge of when, how and where to refer a patient for general anaesthesia I
!ompetence in managing fear and anxiety with %ehavioural techni2ues and empathising with patients in stressful
situations
I
$nowledge of inhalational and intravenous sedation techni2ues I I
$nowledge of conscious sedation techni2ues in clinical practice I
ORE 1art : 2ormat and )ontent
The ORE part 4 consists of four practical assessments"
3" 7n operative test on a dental manikin" &ou will %e re2uired to perform three
procedures over a period of three hours" These procedures will primarily involve
the preparation and restoration of teeth, %ut may also include other procedures
where appropriate simulation can allow assessment of operative skills
!ommonly used instruments and materials will %e made availa%le to candidates"
4" 7n O%served )tructured !linical Examination (O)!E) will test candidates= clinical
skills and may include history and assessment, communication skills (such as
explanation of pro%lems and treatment plans) 6udgement and decision making,
ethics and attitudes of candidates, clinical examination"
The series of stations may cover aspects of the following/ %ehavioural sciences,
human disease, law, ethics and professionalism, clinical dentistry, restorative
dentistry, orthodontics, preventative dentistry, dental pu%lic health,
comprehensive oral care, oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology and oral
micro%iology, dental radiology and imaging"
<or more information see what an O)!E involves
A" 7 diagnostic and treatment planning examination" This involves an actor who will
provide an appropriate history together with relevant additional information such
as photographs, radiographs, study models or results of other special tests" The
exercise might involve any aspect of clinical dentistry" &ou will not carry out an
intra.oral examination of the actor" &ou will %e expected to consider findings and
possi%le treatment options
C" 7 practical examination in medical emergencies including cardiopulmonary
resuscitation using a resuscitation manikin"
0hat an OS)E involves
The term O)!E is short for O%6ective )tructured !linical Examination, which consists of
a series of up to 4? stations designed to test a range of clinical skills"
ifferent stations present clinical scenarios and tasks designed to test different skills or
com%inations of skills such as history taking and assessment of a patient, simple
practical procedures, communication and patient education, clinical 6udgement and
decision making, and ethics and professional attitude"
Examples of tasks set may include taking a history from an actor patient who has %een
%riefed on the symptoms of a particular condition, discussing treatment options and
o%taining informed consent, giving oral health education advice, demonstrating on a
manikin how you would take an intra.oral radiograph, or interpreting radiographic
evidence and prioritising treatment" 7ll the JpatientsK you meet will %e actors who have
%een %riefed with the relevant information necessary for you to complete the set task"
Each candidate starts at a different station and moves on to the next station in the circuit
every six minutes, so that after 4 hours every candidate has visited each station"
On arrival at each station you will have 3 minute to read instructions for the task you are
asked to complete at that station" &ou then have @ minutes to complete that task" &ou
cannot leave the station if you complete the task in less than @ minutes and there is no
extension of time if you have not completed what you have %een asked to do" &ou must
move immediately to the next station at the end of the @ minutes"
There will %e a small num%er of rest stations within the se2uence"
7 different examiner will o%serve you at each station" The examiner will assess your
performance against a checklist of all the steps that are necessary to complete the task
competently" ,n essence the examiners have, in advance of the examination, considered
the components of each task that must %e covered in order to demonstrate clinical
competence" uring the examination they o%serve how well you cover these" ,n order to
o%tain the maximum marks at any station you must demonstrate that you have
undertaken the task in a logical step.%y.step process as would %e the case clinically,
covering all relevant aspects and reaching a conclusion within the time allowed"