ADC Communication OSCE: Complete Preparation Guide

Communication is assessed as part of the Australian Dental Council practical examination for internationally qualified dentists. The practical examination includes a Clinical Skills Day using an Objective Structured Clinical Examination, or OSCE, format, and communication can be assessed across a range of stations and clinical scenarios.

Candidates often refer to these as Communication OSCE stations. The ADC also publishes a standard OSCE communication marking rubric for general dentistry candidates, which makes communication a clearly defined part of the assessment process.

What is the ADC Communication OSCE?

“Communication OSCE” is commonly used by candidates and preparation providers to describe OSCE stations where communication with a patient or simulated patient is a major part of the task.

The ADC’s Clinical Skills Day is broader than communication alone. It assesses clinical information gathering, diagnosis and management planning, and clinical treatment and evaluation. Communication is one of the global competencies that may be assessed across these tasks.

This means communication preparation should not be treated as memorising a few patient scripts. Candidates need to show that they can communicate appropriately while applying clinical reasoning and professional judgement.

Why is communication important in the ADC practical examination?

The ADC assessment process is designed to determine whether internationally qualified dentists can practise safely and competently in Australia.

The ADC specifically notes that practical examinations assess communication as part of clinical competence, and its homepage states that a candidate’s ability to communicate effectively is assessed during the practical examination.

Strong communication can involve:

• gathering relevant clinical information
• explaining findings clearly
• discussing management options
• responding to patient concerns
• checking understanding
• communicating risk appropriately
• maintaining professionalism throughout the interaction

What kinds of communication scenarios may appear?

The exact examination content varies, and candidates should not rely on recalled stations from previous examinations.

The ADC’s published practical-examination materials indicate that Clinical Skills Day tasks may involve simulated patients and other realistic clinical scenarios.

Examples of broader OSCE tasks described by the ADC include activities such as:

• taking a patient history
• explaining a diagnosis
• discussing a management plan
• establishing a risk profile
• communicating a health-promotion strategy
• responding to a simulated clinical situation

The important point is that communication is usually tied to a clinical purpose.

How is communication assessed?

The ADC publishes a standard OSCE communication marking rubric for general dentistry candidates.

The communication rubric was developed specifically to reflect communication standards expected in a dental setting and to benchmark candidates against the level expected of a recently qualified Australian dental graduate.

For candidates, this means preparation should focus on the quality of the interaction rather than simply delivering the “correct” information.

A technically accurate explanation can still be ineffective if it is:

• unclear
• poorly structured
• too technical
• dismissive of patient concerns
• rushed
• difficult for the patient to follow

How should you prepare for ADC Communication OSCE stations?

A useful preparation framework is:

1. Understand the clinical objective

Before speaking, identify what the station is actually asking you to achieve.

For example:

• gather information
• explain a diagnosis
• obtain consent
• discuss options
• respond to a concern
• provide advice

The structure of your communication should follow the purpose of the station.

2. Use a repeatable framework

A clear framework can help reduce cognitive load under pressure.

For many scenarios, a simple structure may look like:

Open → Explore → Explain → Check → Close

That could involve:

• opening the interaction professionally
• exploring the patient’s concerns
• explaining relevant information clearly
• checking understanding
• closing with an appropriate next step

The exact structure should adapt to the scenario.

3. Avoid memorised scripts

Scripts can help candidates learn structure, but rigid memorisation creates problems.

If the patient responds differently from what you expected, a memorised script can become awkward or irrelevant.

Instead, practise the underlying communication principles and adapt them to the scenario.

4. Practise plain-language explanations

Candidates should be able to explain dental concepts without unnecessary jargon.

For example, rather than simply naming a diagnosis or procedure, practise explaining:

• what it means
• why it matters
• what the available options are
• what the patient should expect next

5. Practise active listening

Good communication is not just speaking.

A strong interaction also involves:

• listening to the patient
• acknowledging concerns
• asking relevant follow-up questions
• responding to what the patient actually says

How does clinical reasoning fit into Communication OSCE?

Communication and clinical reasoning are closely connected.

A candidate may need to:

• interpret information
• decide what is relevant
• identify appropriate management options
• explain those options clearly

This is why Communication OSCE preparation should not be separated completely from broader clinical knowledge.

The ADC practical examination is mapped against competencies in clinical information gathering, diagnosis and management planning, and clinical treatment and evaluation.

How much time do you have in an OSCE station?

The Clinical Skills Day uses timed stations, so candidates need to communicate clearly and efficiently.

This does not mean speaking faster.

It means being more structured.

A candidate who has a clear approach can spend less time searching for what to say next and more time responding appropriately to the scenario.

Common Communication OSCE preparation mistakes

Memorising entire answers

This can make communication sound unnatural and reduces your ability to adapt.

Giving too much information

Candidates sometimes try to demonstrate everything they know.

The better approach is to communicate the information that is relevant to the patient and the task.

Using too much dental terminology

Clinical accuracy matters, but the patient still needs to understand you.

Ignoring the patient’s concerns

If the scenario gives you an emotional or practical concern, acknowledge it rather than moving straight to your prepared explanation.

Forgetting to check understanding

Explaining something does not automatically mean the patient understood it.

Treating communication as separate from clinical reasoning

The ADC assesses broader clinical competence, so communication should reflect appropriate judgement and management planning.

Can you prepare for Communication OSCE online?

Yes.

Communication is particularly suitable for self-paced preparation because candidates can learn:

• station structures
• communication frameworks
• common scenario types
• clinical reasoning approaches
• examples of effective explanations

and then practise applying those principles repeatedly.

Online preparation works best when candidates actively rehearse rather than simply watch videos.

Speak your responses aloud, time yourself and practise adapting to different scenarios.

Preparing for ADC Communication OSCE?

Aurora Academy offers self-paced Communication OSCE preparation designed to help candidates build a more structured approach to patient communication and clinical scenarios.

Explore the ADC Communication OSCE Course →

Does the ADC endorse preparation courses?

No.

The ADC states that it does not recommend or endorse proprietary or informal courses advertising preparation for the practical examination because those courses are developed without ADC input.

Candidates should always use current ADC materials as their primary source of examination information.

Aurora Academy should therefore be used as educational support alongside official ADC guidance, not as a replacement for it.

Frequently asked questions

Is Communication OSCE an official ADC exam name?

The broader official component is the Clinical Skills Day, which uses an OSCE format. “Communication OSCE” is commonly used to describe communication-focused stations within that preparation area.

Does the ADC publish a communication marking rubric?

Yes. The ADC makes its standard OSCE communication marking rubric available in its practical examination materials.

Is communication assessed only in communication stations?

No. Communication is a global competency and may be relevant across multiple Clinical Skills Day tasks.

Should I memorise Communication OSCE scripts?

Scripts can help you learn structure, but preparation should focus on understanding the scenario and adapting your communication appropriately.

Can I prepare for Communication OSCE without live coaching?

Yes. Self-paced preparation can help build frameworks, reasoning and scenario familiarity, but candidates should still actively practise speaking their responses aloud.

Can Aurora be used alongside onsite ADC preparation?

Yes. Aurora is designed as self-paced online preparation that can be used before, alongside or after hands-on or live training.