PRC Dentist Licensure study guide
PRC Dentist Licensure · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The PRC Dentist Licensure Examination (国家医师资格考试·口腔类别) is the national qualification pathway through which dentists in mainland China obtain the legal right to practise. It is aimed at graduates of recognised stomatology programmes and at clinicians who have completed the required supervised practice, and it is administered by the national medical examination authority rather than by any school or training company. The PRC Dentist Licensure study guide has 9 sections and about 2,974 words.
01Basic Medical Sciences: Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology/Immunology
This domain covers the pre-clinical foundation the exam expects you to apply at the chair: head and neck anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, general pathology, pharmacology and microbiology/immunology. Questions rarely test isolated facts; they present a patient scenario and ask whether you can link mechanism to clinical decision.
344 words, about 2 min02Oral Basic Sciences: Oral Anatomy & Histology, Oral Physiology, Oral Pathology, Oral Microbiology
Oral Basic Sciences covers tooth and periodontal development, oral histology, oral physiology and oral microbiology - the substrate for endodontics, periodontics and oral pathology questions. Enamel is ectodermal (ameloblasts from inner enamel epithelium); dentine, pulp, cementum and alveolar bone are ectomesenchymal.
324 words, about 2 min03Preventive Dentistry and Oral Public Health: Community Dentistry, Epidemiology, Oral Health Education
This domain tests epidemiology, indices, fluoride, sealants, oral health education and community programme design - including the arithmetic candidates most often lose marks on. DMFT/dmft counts Decayed, Missing (due to caries) and Filled teeth; prevalence is the proportion affected, incidence is new cases over time.
303 words, about 2 min04Oral and Maxillofacial Internal Medicine: Endodontics, Periodontics, Oral Mucosal Diseases
This domain bundles endodontics, periodontics and oral mucosal disease - the diagnostic core of the exam, where one lesion may be benign, premalignant or infectious. Working length sits 0.5–1.0 mm short of the radiographic apex; apex locators are unreliable with pus or blood in the canal.
343 words, about 2 min05Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Exodontia, Anesthesia, Trauma, Infections, Tumors, TMJ
This domain tests exodontia, local anaesthesia, odontogenic infection, maxillofacial trauma, tumours and TMJ disorders, with emphasis on emergencies and dose calculation. Straight forceps for upper anteriors, bayonet for upper third molars, cow-horn for lower molars; assess sinus proximity and buccal bone before elevating upper molars.
342 words, about 2 min06Prosthodontics and Implantology: Fixed, Removable, Complete Dentures, Implants
This domain tests complete dentures, removable partial dentures, fixed prostheses and implants - design logic, occlusion and biomechanics rather than memorised recipes. Balanced occlusion in eccentric positions protects stability; freeway space is 2–3 mm; the neutral zone positions teeth where the tongue and cheeks exert balanced forces.
327 words, about 2 min07Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry: Growth & Development, Malocclusion, Child Oral Health
This domain tests growth and development, cephalometric and space diagnosis, appliance logic, and child-specific care including caries and behaviour management. Cephalometric norms: SNA about 82°, SNB about 80°, ANB 2–4°; ANB above 4° suggests skeletal Class II, below 0° skeletal Class III.
329 words, about 2 min08Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging
This domain tests image selection, projection geometry, radiation protection and interpretation of the lesions that reappear across oral medicine and surgery questions. Paralleling technique with a long cone and film holder minimises distortion and is preferred; bisecting-angle is a fallback.
347 words, about 2 min09Medical Ethics, Health Law, and Clinical Practice Standards
This domain tests informed consent, confidentiality, record keeping, prescribing, infection control, licensure and professional conduct under Chinese law and clinical standards. Valid informed consent requires capacity, adequate information (nature, risks, alternatives, consequences of refusal) and voluntariness, with documentation in the record.
315 words, about 2 min