The new MFGDP (UK) examination (formerly, the DGDP [UK]).

The October 1998 diet of Part 1 of the Diploma in General Dental Practice (DGDP (UK)) of the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (UK) was notable for two reasons. First, it was reciprocal with the first part (Part A) of the new Membership of the Faculties of Dental Surgery/Faculty of Dentistry (MFDS/MFD) and second, it was the final Part 1 diet of that examination. In November 1998 the General Dental Council approved its change of title to that of Membership of the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (UK)--the new MFGDP (UK). This paper traces the origins of the MFGDP (UK) in particular and in the context of dental postgraduate qualifications in general, and it explains how its Part 1 differs from that of the DGDP (UK).