DSFE Exam Dates, Diets & Venues: A Guide for Periodontics Candidates

For candidates preparing for the Dental Specialty Fellowship Examination (DSFE) in Periodontics, understanding the examination calendar is essential.

The new DSFE pathway consists of Part 1 Single Best Answer (SBA) and Part 2 Clinical Structured Oral (cSO)examinations, but the two parts are delivered during different examination diets and at different types of centres.

The Dental Examinations Executive currently plans a minimum of two Part 1 diets and two Part 2 diets per year in the UK for each specialty. However, the inaugural 2026–2027 examination cycle includes some transitional dates that fall outside the future standard schedule.

This guide explains the current DSFE exam dates, diets and venues, with particular attention to DSFE Periodonticscandidates.

What Does “Exam Diet” Mean?

In Royal College and postgraduate examination terminology, an exam diet simply refers to a scheduled examination sitting or examination period.

For DSFE, Part 1 and Part 2 are offered in separate diets.

The current planned annual pattern is:

DSFE Part 1
Late January / early February
and
August

DSFE Part 2
April–June
and
October–December.

This is intended to create two opportunities each year for candidates to sit each part of the examination.

How Many DSFE Diets Will There Be Each Year?

The current official FAQ states that for each specialty, there will be a minimum of:

• two Part 1 diets per year
• two Part 2 diets per year

in the UK.

From the normal cycle onward:

Part 1: late January/early February and August
Part 2: April–June and October–December.

This is the general timetable candidates should use for long-term planning.

Why Is the 2026–2027 Schedule Different?

The first DSFE examinations are being introduced during a transitional period.

The official FAQ confirms that:

• the October 2026 Part 1 diet is an additional introductory sitting and is not part of the future routine cycle
• the February–April 2027 Part 2 diet is also an out-of-cycle transitional sitting
• from later in 2027, the examinations are intended to follow the standard annual schedule more closely.

So candidates should be careful not to assume that the first published dates represent the permanent examination calendar.

Current DSFE Part 1 Dates and Venues

The first Dental Specialty Fellowship Examination Part 1 diet is scheduled for:

October 2026

The current official Examination Information page lists the first DSFE Part 1 written Single Best Answer examinationfor October 2026 at:

• Birmingham
• Glasgow
• London
• Manchester.

The booking window for this diet is currently listed as closed.

All Part 1 examinations are conducted in person at examination centres and are computer-facilitated. Candidates cannot sit Part 1 remotely from home.

When Is the Next DSFE Part 1 Diet?

The official FAQ states that after the October 2026 introductory diet, the next Part 1 diet will take place in late January/early February 2027.

From 2027 onward, the intended regular pattern is:

late January / early February
and
August.

Candidates should check the official schedule for exact dates once published.

DSFE Periodontics Part 2 Date

For Periodontics, the currently published first Part 2 examination is:

Thursday, 25 March 2027

Examination: Dental Specialty Fellowship Examination – Periodontics
Part: Part 2
Format: Clinical Structured Oral
Venue: Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

For Periodontics candidates, this is currently the most important confirmed specialty-specific Part 2 date.

Where Will DSFE Periodontics Part 2 Be Held?

The first published DSFE Periodontics Part 2 Clinical Structured Oral will be held at the:

Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Unlike Part 1, which may be delivered simultaneously at several examination centres, Part 2 is specialty-specific and delivered face-to-face at designated centres.

Published Spring 2027 DSFE Part 2 Schedule

The official schedule currently lists the following Part 2 specialty examinations:

These are the dates currently published by the Dental Examinations Executive.

Can You Sit Part 2 Immediately After Passing Part 1?

Not always.

This is an important planning issue.

The DSFE FAQ states that candidates must pass Part 1 before they can book Part 2.

It also specifically confirms that candidates sitting Part 1 in January/early February 2027 will not be eligible for the Spring 2027 Part 2 diet, even if they pass Part 1.

The reason is that Part 1 results take approximately 4–6 weeks to be released, leaving insufficient time for candidate confirmation and the operational processes required for the Spring Part 2 examinations.

This means candidates should not assume:

Part 1 in February → Part 2 in March

For the Spring 2027 cycle, that progression is not possible.

Why This Matters for Periodontics Candidates

The first published Periodontics Part 2 is 25 March 2027.

Therefore, a candidate sitting the January/February 2027 Part 1 diet would not be able to progress directly into that March Periodontics cSO diet under the current rules.

Candidates need to plan their examination pathway according to:

Part 1 date → result publication → Part 2 application window → available Part 2 diet

rather than looking only at the exam dates themselves.

Where Are DSFE Part 1 Exams Held?

For the inaugural October 2026 Part 1 examination, the current official schedule lists:

Birmingham
Glasgow
London
Manchester.

All Part 1 examinations take place in person.

The assessment is computer-facilitated, but candidates must attend an examination centre physically.

This distinction is important because “computer-facilitated” does not mean “remote online examination.”

Is DSFE Available Online From Home?

No.

The official FAQ states that all 2026 and early 2027 examinations will take place at examination centres across UK cities.

Candidates cannot sit either Part 1 or Part 2 from home.

Part 1:

computer-facilitated, but in an examination centre

Part 2:

face-to-face at an examination centre.

International candidates should therefore plan for travel where required.

Will DSFE Be Available Internationally?

Yes, but international delivery has not yet fully started.

The current official FAQ states that international examination dates are expected to begin in late 2027.

The international locations will be decided by the participating UK Royal Colleges, which will deliver the examinations outside the UK on behalf of the Dental Examinations Executive.

At present, candidates should therefore distinguish between:

international candidates

and

international examination venues.

International candidates may be eligible to apply before examinations are routinely offered outside the UK, but they may need to travel to the UK to sit the examination.

Which Royal Colleges Will Deliver International DSFE Exams?

The DSFE system is administered collaboratively by:

• Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
• Royal College of Surgeons of England
• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.

The official FAQ states that the Royal Colleges will determine international examination locations and will be responsible for delivering those examinations outside the UK.

Specific international cities and dates should therefore only be published on your website once officially announced.

When Are New DSFE Exam Dates Published?

The Dental Examinations Executive states that examination dates will be published at least six months before the scheduled examination date.

At the time of this review, dates through April 2027 have been published, and the Executive states that it plans to publish dates through the end of 2028 by the end of August 2026.

This makes the official Examinations Information page the best place to monitor future diets.

Are DSFE Examination Places Limited?

Yes.

The official FAQ states that all examinations have a limited number of places, and candidates are advised to apply early once the relevant application window opens.

This is particularly important when candidates need:

• a specific UK examination city;
• visa processing time;
• international travel;
• accommodation; or
• coordination with clinical training commitments.

Are Application Windows the Same for Everyone?

Not necessarily.

The current DSFE Examination Information page states that application windows may be phased, with up to three phases.

For DSFE Part 1, the page currently distinguishes:

Phase 1: candidates on a specialty training pathway with an NTN and candidates in the final year of a UK or Ireland university postgraduate specialty training programme.

Phase 2: other UK, Ireland and international candidates, along with eligible Phase 1 candidates.

Therefore, international candidates should pay attention not only to the examination date but also to the appropriate application phase.

Current DSFE Examination Fees

Although this article focuses on dates and venues, candidates planning a diet also need to budget for examination fees.

The current UK fees published by the Dental Examinations Executive are:

DSFE Part 1: £995

DSFE Part 2: £1,495.

The official site states that fees are subject to annual review.

Travel, accommodation, visa expenses and related costs are additional.

Planning DSFE Periodontics: Example Pathways

Understanding the diets becomes easier when viewed as an examination sequence.

Example 1: October 2026 Part 1

A candidate sits:

October 2026 — Part 1 SBA

If successful and able to complete the required application process, the candidate may potentially progress toward a suitable 2027 Part 2 diet, depending on result timing, application windows and specialty availability.

Example 2: January/February 2027 Part 1

A candidate sits:

Late January / early February 2027 — Part 1 SBA

The official FAQ specifically states that this candidate cannot progress to the February–April 2027 Part 2 diet, even if Part 1 is passed.

The candidate would therefore need to target a later Part 2 diet.

This is why candidates should plan both parts together, not simply book the next available Part 1.

DSFE Periodontics Dates at a Glance

For a Periodontics candidate, the most important currently published information is:

Part 1

October 2026
Birmingham, Glasgow, London and Manchester
Booking window currently closed.

First published Periodontics Part 2

25 March 2027
Clinical Structured Oral
Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Normal future diet pattern

Part 1: late January/early February + August

Part 2: April–June + October–December.

International delivery

Expected to begin late 2027, with locations to be determined by the participating Royal Colleges.

How Should International Candidates Plan for DSFE Venues?

International candidates should consider five practical issues.

1. Eligibility

Confirm eligibility before making financial travel commitments.

2. Examination location

Check which centres are available during the application window.

3. Written confirmation

The official DSFE guidance advises international candidates not to make travel or visa arrangements before receiving written confirmation of an examination place.

4. Visa timing

Allow enough time for any required UK visa process after confirmation.

5. Part 1 and Part 2 may require separate trips

Because the two parts occur in different diets and may be held in different cities, candidates should not assume one trip will cover the whole examination pathway.

Where Should Candidates Check the Latest DSFE Dates?

Because examination schedules evolve, candidates should always use the official:

Dental Examinations Executive – Examinations Information

page for the latest dates, application windows and venues.

The DSFE FAQ is also particularly useful for:

• diet frequency;
• Part 1 to Part 2 progression;
• international examinations;
• application timing; and
• examination delivery.

Common Questions About DSFE Dates and Venues

How many DSFE diets are there per year?

The current plan is a minimum of two Part 1 and two Part 2 diets per year in the UK for each specialty.

When is DSFE Part 1 normally held?

Late January/early February and August.

When is DSFE Part 2 normally held?

April–June and October–December.

When is the first DSFE Periodontics Part 2 exam?

25 March 2027, at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Can DSFE be taken online from home?

No. Part 1 and Part 2 require attendance at examination centres.

When will international DSFE centres begin?

International examination delivery is currently expected to begin in late 2027.

Final Thoughts

The new DSFE examination calendar gives candidates multiple opportunities each year, but understanding the relationship between Part 1 dates, result publication, Part 2 application windows and specialty-specific Part 2 venues is essential.

For Periodontics candidates, the most important currently confirmed specialty date is:

DSFE Periodontics Part 2 – Clinical Structured Oral – 25 March 2027 – Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Longer term, candidates should expect:

Part 1: late January/early February and August
Part 2: April–June and October–December.

International examinations are expected to begin in late 2027, but exact international locations will be announced by the participating Royal Colleges.

Because dates, venues and application windows are time-sensitive, this is one blog post I recommend marking clearly with:

Last updated: August 2026

and updating whenever the Dental Examinations Executive publishes a new schedule.