DHA Exam for Dentists
Everything dentists need to pass the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) licensing exam in United Arab Emirates — format, fees, passing score, syllabus focus and the fastest way to prepare.
The DHA pathway for dentists
Dentists follow the same Dataflow-then-Prometric pathway as physicians, with General Dentist and Specialist tiers. The dental exams are clinically oriented — expect case-based questions on diagnosis, treatment planning and management rather than pure theory recall.
Demand for dentists is strongest in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where private dental chains sponsor licences at scale. A cleared licence before you apply makes your CV significantly more competitive.
Licenses every healthcare professional practising in the Emirate of Dubai — physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists and allied health. Read the full DHA licensing guide for the complete document checklist and fee breakdown.
What the DHA exam tests for dentists
Eligibility for dentists (DHA)
- BDS / DDS or equivalent dental qualification from a recognised institution
- Internship completion where the home country requires it
- Typically 2 years post-qualification experience for General Dentist tier
- Good Standing Certificate from your dental council
Requirements vary by title tier — run the free eligibility check to see exactly where you stand before spending on Dataflow.
DHA licensing process, step by step
- 1
Create Sheryan account
Register on Sheryan (DHA's unified professional portal) with your Emirates ID or passport.
- 2
Dataflow verification
Submit degree, transcripts, licence, experience letters and Good Standing for primary source verification. Takes 4-8 weeks.
- 3
Book Prometric exam
Once Dataflow clears, DHA issues an Eligibility ID. Book your slot on Prometric — Dubai, home country or any international centre.
- 4
Pass the exam
Score at or above the DHA cut-off for your title level (typically 60%). Result is instant on-screen.
- 5
Employer sponsorship & activation
A DHA-licensed facility submits your activation request. Licence issued within days.
DHA Exam FAQs for Dentists
What is the passing score for the DHA exam for dentists?›
The DHA (Dubai Health Authority) exam pass mark is 60% (title-dependent). The result appears on-screen immediately after you finish the computer-based exam.
How much does the DHA dentist exam cost?›
The DHA exam fee is $240 – $280. Budget separately for Dataflow verification and licence issuance — the full DHA licensing journey typically runs higher once every step is included.
What is the format of the DHA exam for dentists?›
150 MCQs, single best answer, completed in 3 hours. The paper for dentists focuses on restorative dentistry and endodontics (high-yield on every gcc paper) and related clinical areas.
Can I take the DHA dentist exam in my home country?›
Yes. Once DHA issues your eligibility, you can book any authorised Prometric centre worldwide — most candidates sit the exam in their home country before travelling.
How long does DHA licensing take for dentists?›
On average 8-16 weeks end-to-end, including Dataflow verification (the longest single step), eligibility review, the exam itself and licence issuance.
What should dentists study for the DHA exam?›
High-yield areas include: restorative dentistry and endodontics (high-yield on every gcc paper); periodontics and oral medicine; prosthodontics — fixed and removable; oral surgery and local anesthesia. Chapter-wise MCQ practice with explanations is the fastest way to find and close your weak areas.
Ready to pass the DHA exam?
Practice with chapter-wise DHA-style MCQs for dentists — detailed explanations after every question, unlimited retries, and progress tracking until you're consistently above the pass mark.