DHA Licence for Dentists 2026: General Dentist and Specialist Requirements, the DHA Dental Exam, Fees in AED and INR, Timeline and Dubai Clinic Jobs
What dentists need for a Dubai Health Authority licence in 2026: General Dentist and specialist dentist eligibility, the DHA Prometric dental exam and its blueprint, total fees in AED, INR, PKR and EGP, timeline, and what Dubai dental clinics pay.
Dubai has one of the busiest private dental markets in the Gulf, from family clinics to aesthetic and implant centres. To work in any of them you need a Dubai Health Authority (DHA) dental licence. Here is what it takes in 2026.
DHA titles for dentists
| Title | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| General Dentist | Recognised BDS/DDS, internship, home registration and 2 years' clinical experience |
| Specialist Dentist | Recognised master's, board or fellowship in a dental specialty plus experience after it |
| Consultant Dentist | Higher specialty qualification and several years at specialist level |
Specialties include orthodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, periodontics, paediatric dentistry and oral and maxillofacial surgery. Each is assessed against DHA's list of recognised qualifications; see specialist dentists.
The process
- Create a Sheryan account and run the self-assessment (self-assessment guide).
- Submit your application; DataFlow verifies your degree, internship, registration, experience and Good Standing (4–8 weeks).
- Book and pass the DHA dental exam at Prometric.
- Receive your eligibility letter and find a clinic.
- The clinic activates your licence and arranges the visa and Emirates ID.
The DHA dental exam
- Format: single-best-answer MCQs on computer, usually around 150 for the general paper, with clinical photographs and radiographs.
- Pass mark: about 60%; the result appears on screen.
- Blueprint: restorative and endodontics, prosthodontics, periodontics, oral surgery and oral medicine, paediatric dentistry and orthodontics, radiology, infection control and ethics.
Practise with the General Dentist question bank and the dentist questions with answers. The full exam guide is Prometric exam for dentists.
Fees
| Item | USD | AED | INR | PKR | EGP | Who usually pays |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DataFlow verification | USD 220–320 | AED 810–1,180 | INR 19,500–28,000 | PKR 61,500–89,500 | EGP 11,000–15,500 | Candidate |
| DHA dental exam | USD 270–290 | AED 990–1,070 | INR 24,000–25,500 | PKR 75,500–81,000 | EGP 13,000–14,000 | Candidate |
| Eligibility and licence issuance | USD 270–410 | AED 990–1,510 | INR 24,000–36,000 | PKR 75,500–115,000 | EGP 13,000–20,000 | Often the clinic |
All figures are approximate 2026 ranges, converted at fixed rates (USD 1 = AED 3.67, INR 88, PKR 280, PHP 57). Authorities change fees without notice and your bank adds its own card charge, so confirm the amount on the official portal at the moment you pay.
More detail: DHA exam fees 2026.
Dentist pay in Dubai
| Title | Monthly (AED) | USD | INR | PKR | EGP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Dentist | AED 12,000–25,000 | USD 3,270–6,810 | INR 287,500–599,000 | PKR 915,000–1,906,000 | EGP 160,000–333,500 |
Salaries are approximate 2026 monthly, tax-free ranges for a mid-experience (3–5 year) hire, blended from published pay scales, recruiter ranges and offers our placement team has seen. Home-currency figures use fixed rates (USD 1 = AED 3.67, SAR 3.75, QAR 3.64, INR 88, PKR 280, PHP 57). Always go by the offer letter.
Many private clinics pay a base salary plus a percentage of what you bill (often 30–40% above a target), so a busy dentist can earn well above the base. Compare countries in dentist salary in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Common reasons dental files get delayed
- Internship certificate missing or without exact dates.
- Experience from a private practice without a registered business letterhead or HR contact.
- Good Standing Certificate older than six months at submission.
The full list: top reasons licence applications are rejected.
Next steps
Start with the free eligibility check, then join the dentist talent pool so Dubai clinics can contact you.
Frequently asked questions
How many years of experience does DHA need for a general dentist?
Usually two years of clinical experience after internship.
Is the DHA dental exam difficult?
Moderately. Candidates who complete a full question bank and practise image-based questions usually pass.
Can a fresh dental graduate get a DHA licence?
Generally not straight after internship; DHA expects clinical experience. Some candidates gain it at home or in another GCC country first.
Do Dubai clinics pay commission to dentists?
Many private clinics do, on top of a base salary, once you exceed a monthly target.
Is a DHA dental licence valid in Abu Dhabi or Sharjah?
No. Abu Dhabi (DOH) and the northern emirates (MOHAP) each need their own licence.
Practice banks for this exam
Chapter-wise MCQs with written reasoning on every question, and timed mocks at the real pass mark.