Should You Do LDS or ORE?
Should you do LDS or ORE? For most students, the best option is whichever exam they can book first. Here is a short guide to LDS Part 1, LDS Part 2, ORE Part 1, and the real difference between them.
Should You Do LDS or ORE?
Students often ask whether they should do LDS or ORE. The honest answer is simple: book whichever one you can get first.
Both exams are hard to book, and there are more candidates than places. So in real life, the best exam is often the one you manage to secure.
Why booking matters more than most people think
A lot of students spend too much time trying to decide which route is better. But the bigger problem is usually getting a seat at all.
ORE places go very quickly. LDS has opened up more places since 2026, which has made it a much more realistic option than before. That means students now have a better chance of booking LDS than they used to.
What is the difference between LDS and ORE?
The difference is smaller than many students think.
ORE Part 1 has two papers. Paper A is more science-based, with shorter questions from areas like anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology and pharmacology. Paper B is more clinical.
LDS is more applied overall. LDS Part 1 is written, but it feels more clinical and practical, even though it also includes dental science. LDS also tests guidelines and applied decision-making more heavily.
LDS is three parts, but it overlaps a lot with ORE
One thing students often miss is that LDS has three parts, but that does not mean it is completely different from ORE.
LDS Part 2 is the OSCE and unseen case stage. LDS Part 3 is the hands-on manikin stage.
So even though LDS looks longer on paper, there is actually a lot of overlap with ORE. In both routes, you are still being tested on knowledge, clinical thinking, communication and practical skills.
So which one should you do?
If you can book LDS Part 1, take it. If you can book ORE Part 1, take it.
Do not wait around trying to choose the perfect route. Start with whichever exam you can actually get.
If you want the official booking page for LDS Part 2, you can find it here: LDS Part 2 booking page.
Final thoughts
If you are asking what is better, ORE or LDS, the most practical answer is: go with whichever one you can book first.
LDS is a bit more applied and clinical. ORE Part 1 Paper A is a bit more science-heavy. But the overlap between the two routes is bigger than many people realise.
The hardest step for many candidates is not choosing. It is getting a seat.