Membership
Membership of the British College of Dental Implant Surgery
The College recognises clinicians in implant dentistry through a graded structure of professional membership — from Affiliate to Fellow — earned by qualification, examination and demonstrated contribution to the field.
The membership grades
Every grade is a professional membership designation of the College, with stated eligibility. Affiliation is open to any registered dentist; Membership and the Fellowship grades each require a qualification in implant dentistry and, for Fellowship, years in practice.
Affiliate → Associate → Member MBCDIS → Associate Fellow AFBCDIS → Fellow FBCDIS
Affiliation
Open to any dentist registered with the GDC or a recognised overseas dental regulator. Affiliate status gives access to the College’s professional community — events and open days, educational activities, news and CPD opportunities, and the BCDIS Forum.
No qualification in implant dentistry is required.
For dentists who are developing their education and clinical experience in implant dentistry. Applicants should meet one of the following:
- be currently enrolled on a recognised Diploma, or a comparable programme, in implant dentistry;
- hold the BCDIS Certificate in Implant Dentistry; or
- have successfully completed the College’s approved Associate pathway.
Associate is the College grade for students, delegates and clinicians progressing through formal implant education.
Membership
For established implant clinicians who have completed diploma-level education in implant dentistry. Applicants must:
- hold a Diploma in implant dentistry at Level 11 of the Scottish framework, or Level 7 of the Regulated Qualifications Framework — the same level in each — what those levels mean; or hold a qualification the College accepts at that level; and
- be actively practising implant dentistry.
Experienced implant dentists who hold no such Diploma may instead sit the Membership Examination.
Fellowship grades
For experienced implant clinicians who have demonstrated substantial education and clinical experience in implant dentistry. Applicants must:
- hold a Diploma in implant dentistry recognised by the College, from a UK institution or another qualification the College accepts at that level;
- either have been in clinical dental practice for at least ten years, or hold an MSc, MClinDent, PhD or a comparable higher academic qualification specifically in implant dentistry; and
- demonstrate substantial ongoing clinical practice and experience in implant dentistry.
Associate Fellowship is the grade for clinicians who have reached diploma level and one of Fellowship’s two further requirements — the ten years, or the higher academic qualification — but not yet both. Eligibility is subject to review and approval by the College.
The senior professional grade of the College, recognising clinicians who combine substantial clinical practice with advanced academic achievement in implant dentistry. Applicants must:
- have been in clinical dental practice for at least ten years;
- hold an MSc, MClinDent, PhD or a comparable higher academic qualification specifically in implant dentistry or implantology; and
- demonstrate substantial clinical experience and continued professional standing in implant dentistry.
A Diploma in implant dentistry recognised by the College is accepted alongside, but is not additionally required where the higher qualification is held. Fellowship may also be conferred by direct election of the Board. Fellowship is awarded following review and approval by the College.
About Fellowship →Honorary distinction
The highest honorary distinction of the College. Honorary Fellowship is conferred by invitation of the Board only, upon individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to implant dentistry, dental education, research, the profession, or the work and objectives of the College.
There is no application route, examination or fee, and recipients are not required to meet the academic criteria for Fellowship.
What membership costs
Subscriptions are free for the first twelve months while the College launches. The figures below are the standard annual subscription that applies afterwards.
| Grade | Annual subscription | Illustrative cost at 40% relief | Illustrative cost at 20% relief | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Affiliate | £195 | £117 | £156 | £9.75 |
| Associate | £195 | £117 | £156 | £9.75 |
| Member · MBCDIS | £325 | £195 | £260 | £16.25 |
| Associate Fellow · AFBCDIS | £395 | £237 | £316 | £19.75 |
| Fellow · FBCDIS | £495 | £297 | £396 | £24.75 |
| Honorary Fellow · Hon FBCDIS | No fee | — | — | — |
The per-month figure is the annual subscription divided by twelve; subscriptions are paid annually. The relief columns are illustrative only. Tax relief on a professional subscription depends on your own tax position and is not guaranteed — the College cannot give tax advice, and you should check your circumstances with HMRC or your accountant.
The Membership Examination carries a separate examination fee of £1,600. No payment is taken on this website; subscriptions are handled in the College’s members area.
How membership works
By qualification
Associate and Member follow from qualifications in implant dentistry — among them the BCDIS Certificate in Implant Dentistry and the EduQual Diploma in Implant Dentistry (SCQF Level 11).
By examination
Experienced implant dentists holding no recognised Diploma may join as Members by passing the College’s Membership Examination — a clinical portfolio, a viva and a written paper.
By experience and academic standing
The Fellowship grades add years in practice to qualification: Associate Fellowship at diploma level, Fellowship with a master’s degree or doctorate in implant dentistry.
Recognised on the register
Every Associate, Member and Fellow who consents appears on the College’s public register, and each certificate carries a QR code that verifies the entry.
What membership is — and is not
An honest note on standing
The College’s postnominals — MBCDIS, AFBCDIS, FBCDIS and Hon FBCDIS — are professional membership designations of the College. They are not academic qualifications recognised for GDC registration, and they do not confer specialist status: the General Dental Council holds no specialist list in implant dentistry.
Members display their postnominal separately from their academic qualifications, in accordance with the College’s guidance on using your postnominal and GDC guidance on ethical advertising.
The BCDIS Register
The College keeps a public register of its Associates, Members and Fellows. The first Foundation Fellows appear there now, and every consenting entry joins them as grades are awarded — searchable, and linked from the QR code on each certificate we issue.
Joining, and the BCDIS Forum
Applications for membership are made here on this website — apply for membership. Subscriptions and payments are handled in the College’s separate member portal; no account or payment data is handled on this website.
Join the conversation on WhatsApp.
The BCDIS Forum is our free WhatsApp community for dentists — case discussions, course news, open days and CPD announcements, alongside BCDIS faculty and delegates. Tap to join on your phone, or scan the code from another screen.
Join the BCDIS ForumWhatsApp is a third-party service; when you join, your WhatsApp profile — including your phone number — is visible to other members of the group.
