RCS England announced on 9 March 2026 that it is expanding the Licence in Dental Surgery, the GDC-recognised alternative to the ORE. It will offer 1,000 Part 1 places to new candidates in 2026, rising to 2,000 Part 1 places a year from 2027, with Part 2 and Part 3 places also increased. Published 2026 dates are Part 1 online on 10 February, 23 June and 6 October; Part 2 in London across four blocks between June and November; and Part 3 in June, August and October.
A pricing restructure raises fees for sittings from September 2026: Part 1 goes from £900 to £1,025, Part 2 from £1,575 to £1,793, and Part 3 from £1,525 to £1,736. Places are allocated first-come, first-served with bookings opening at 9am UK time. The expansion is backed by a one-off £421,850 government grant announced by the Department of Health and Social Care on 10 March 2026.
