SHA Exam for Dentists
Everything dentists need to pass the Sharjah Health Authority (SHA) licensing exam in United Arab Emirates — format, fees, passing score, syllabus focus and the fastest way to prepare.
The SHA 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.
The newest UAE regulator — separate from MOHAP for Sharjah-based private and government facilities. Read the full SHA licensing guide for the complete document checklist and fee breakdown.
What the SHA exam tests for dentists
Eligibility for dentists (SHA)
- 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.
SHA licensing process, step by step
- 1
SHA account & file
Register through the SHA portal or a sponsoring Sharjah facility.
- 2
Dataflow verification
Standard PSV report submitted to SHA.
- 3
Prometric MCQ
Sit the SHA-blueprinted Prometric assessment for your cadre.
- 4
Licence issuance
Practice permit issued after exam pass and facility linking.
SHA Exam FAQs for Dentists
What is the passing score for the SHA exam for dentists?›
The SHA (Sharjah Health Authority) exam pass mark is 60%. The result appears on-screen immediately after you finish the computer-based exam.
How much does the SHA dentist exam cost?›
The SHA exam fee is $180 – $260. Budget separately for Dataflow verification and licence issuance — the full SHA licensing journey typically runs higher once every step is included.
What is the format of the SHA exam for dentists?›
100 – 150 MCQs, completed in 2 – 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 SHA dentist exam in my home country?›
Yes. Once SHA 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 SHA licensing take for dentists?›
On average 10-16 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 SHA 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 SHA exam?
Practice with chapter-wise SHA-style MCQs for dentists — detailed explanations after every question, unlimited retries, and progress tracking until you're consistently above the pass mark.