SLMC ERPDS
Examination for Registration to Practise Dentistry (ERPDS) in Sri Lanka
More study resources
Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
The Examination for Registration to Practise Dentistry (ERPDS) is administered by the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), the national regulatory authority that the source describes as regulating medical, dental, and allied healthcare professionals to protect patients and maintain public confidence in healthcare services. ERPDS is a registration examination for dental practitioners, and it is organised in parts: the SLMC's 02 November 2026 announcement refers specifically to "ERPDS Part I – October/November 2026," for which the timetable and examination instructions were published. The same announcement series shows ERPDS operating alongside the ERPM examination for medical practitioners, with a Degree Approval Portal opened for both ERPM and ERPDS Exams 2027. Candidates should treat ERPDS Part I as a written, scheduled sitting whose timetable and instructions are issued by the Council shortly before the examination, so the primary preparation step is to obtain those official documents and work backwards from the published dates. Beyond that, the source does not enumerate the content domains, item formats, duration, pass mark, fees, or retake rules, so candidates must confirm these from the Council's own examination instructions rather than from secondary summaries. Preparation should therefore combine the published timetable and instructions with the SLMC's standards, ethics, and scope-of-practice material, and any queries should go through the Council's support-ticket system rather than informal channels. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the SLMC.
What you'll study
About SLMC ERPDS preparation
What exactly is the ERPDS?
It is the Examination for Registration to Practise Dentistry in Sri Lanka, run by the Sri Lanka Medical Council. The Council's site lists it as "ERPDS Part I – October/November 2026," indicating a multi-part structure with Part I as the sitting covered by the published timetable and examination instructions.
Who should sit ERPDS?
Dentists seeking registration to practise in Sri Lanka. The Council regulates dental practitioners alongside medical and allied health professionals, and ERPDS appears in the same examination family as ERPM for medical practitioners. The source does not list detailed eligibility criteria, so confirm your eligibility with the SLMC before applying.
What does the exam cover?
The source does not enumerate ERPDS content domains or item formats. It only confirms that a timetable and examination instructions exist for Part I. Treat any third-party syllabus outline as unofficial and verify the scope directly from the Council's published examination instructions before you build a study plan.
When is ERPDS Part I held?
The Council's announcement of 02 November 2026 refers to ERPDS Part I in the October/November 2026 window and states that the timetable and examination instructions are available. Exact dates, session times, and venue details sit in that timetable, so rely on it rather than on the announcement headline.
How do I find the timetable and instructions?
They are published under News & Announcements on the SLMC website. The 02 November 2026 entry for ERPDS Part I links to them. Download and keep a copy, because instructions can be updated, and check the site again close to your sitting date.
Is there a separate degree approval step?
Yes, but note the timing. The Degree Approval Portal currently open covers ERPM and ERPDS Exams 2027, with a deadline of 27 November 2026, 4.00 p.m. That cycle is distinct from the ERPDS Part I October/November 2026 sitting, so do not assume the same deadline applies to both.
How hard is ERPDS, and what is the pass mark?
The source gives no pass mark, grading scheme, or difficulty data, so any figure you see elsewhere is unverified. Difficulty depends on your dental training and how closely you follow the published instructions. Prepare from the official timetable and instructions plus the Council's standards and ethics material.
Can I retake it if I fail?
The source does not state a retake policy, attempt limits, or waiting periods. Because ERPDS runs in numbered parts and sittings, assume you must check the current examination instructions or ask the Council directly. Do not plan around an assumed retake window.
How should I order my study?
Start with the official timetable and instructions, since they define the format and dates. Then cover the Council's published standards, ethics, professional conduct, and scope-of-practice pages, which describe what registered dental practice in Sri Lanka requires. Fill clinical gaps from your own curriculum, and log questions for the SLMC early.
How do I contact the Council with a question?
The SLMC directs inquiries through its support-ticket system rather than by telephone, citing line congestion, and states that tickets are logged and tracked with a reference number. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at 31, Norris Canal Road, Colombo 10.