ADC Technical Tasks: Complete Preparation Guide

The ADC Technical Skills Day is part of the practical examination for internationally qualified dentists completing the Australian Dental Council assessment pathway. It is simulation-based and requires candidates to demonstrate technical competence using simulated teeth and dental manikins in a standardised clinical environment.

If you are preparing for ADC Part 2, technical preparation should involve more than simply repeating procedures. A stronger approach is to understand the task requirements, assessment criteria, technique, infection control expectations and common areas of error before spending large amounts of time practising.

What are ADC technical tasks?

The Technical Skills Day assesses procedural dental skills in a simulated clinic environment.

The ADC uses technical tasks performed on simulated teeth in dental manikins as part of the practical examination. The purpose is to assess whether candidates can apply relevant competencies safely and consistently in a controlled setting.

Candidates should prepare for technical tasks as an assessment of both:

• practical execution
• clinical judgement and process

This means preparation should not focus only on the final appearance of the work. The way you approach the task, your understanding of the procedure and your ability to work safely are also important.

How many technical tasks are completed?

The current general dentistry practical examination includes a Technical Skills Day consisting of multiple simulation-based tasks.

The ADC has continued to update the format and marking approach over time, so candidates should always refer to the latest handbook and official guidance before preparing.

What changed in 2026?

Several important updates took effect in 2026.

Amalgam placement was removed

From Period 2, 2026, the amalgam placement task was removed from the practical examination.

Candidates are now required to complete both an anterior and a posterior resin composite restoration during the Technical Skills Day.

This reflects the broader shift toward mercury-free restorative materials and current clinical practice.

New simulation teeth were introduced

From Period 2, 2026, the ADC introduced a new range of high-performance simulation teeth for preparation and restoration tasks.

The new teeth were designed to provide more realistic tactile feedback and a more consistent cutting response.

This means candidates should make sure the training materials and practice methods they use are aligned with current examination conditions rather than relying entirely on older preparation advice.

How are resin composite tasks assessed?

The ADC revised its resin composite marking rubrics for Period 2, 2026.

There are now separate marking rubrics for:

• anterior resin composite restoration
• posterior resin composite restoration

For candidates, this makes it even more important to prepare using the current published rubrics rather than generic restorative dentistry principles alone.

A useful preparation approach is to understand:

• the purpose of each criterion
• what acceptable performance looks like
• what errors could lead to an unsatisfactory result
• how to evaluate your own work objectively

How important is infection control?

Very important.

The ADC has published an updated infection prevention and control marking rubric for practical examinations.

The rubric is intended to help candidates understand the standards used when assessing infection prevention and control, although the ADC notes that candidates should not rely on the rubric alone and should also understand broader Australian infection-control standards.

Candidates should therefore treat infection control as part of every technical task rather than as a separate topic.

How should you prepare for ADC technical tasks?

A more effective preparation process can be broken into four stages.

1. Understand the task before practising

Before picking up instruments, make sure you understand:

• what the procedure is asking you to achieve
• the sequence of steps
• relevant clinical principles
• likely assessment criteria
• equipment and materials involved

This reduces wasted practice time.

2. Watch a complete demonstration

A clear demonstration can help you understand:

• positioning
• sequence
• technique
• instrument use
• common mistakes
• what the finished result should resemble

This is especially useful before your first hands-on attempt.

3. Practise deliberately

Repeated practice only helps when you know what you are trying to improve.

After each attempt, identify:

• what went well
• what did not
• which criteria you are missing
• what you will change next time

Practising the same error repeatedly is not useful.

4. Review against current criteria

Use official ADC materials and rubrics wherever they are available.

The ADC has progressively expanded feedback for candidates, including detailed technical-task feedback for unsuccessful simulation-clinic tasks from Period 1, 2026.

That signals how important task-specific criteria are to the assessment process.

Can you prepare for ADC technical tasks at home?

Yes, to a point.

Online preparation can help you develop:

• procedural understanding
• task sequencing
• knowledge of assessment criteria
• familiarity with demonstrations
• self-assessment habits
• infection-control knowledge

However, online learning does not replace hands-on practice.

Aurora Academy’s approach is designed to help candidates understand the task before they practise it, so hands-on time can focus on improving execution rather than learning the entire process from scratch.

Should you use online preparation before an onsite course?

For many candidates, this is a sensible approach.

Onsite training can be expensive and time-limited.

If you arrive already understanding:

• the task structure
• the expected technique
• common errors
• the relevant criteria

you can use onsite sessions to refine your practical performance rather than spending the first part of the course learning the basics.

That is where self-paced preparation can provide significant value.

Preparing for ADC Technical Tasks?

Aurora Academy offers a self-paced Technical Tasks Course with structured video demonstrations, practical guidance and preparation support across key technical areas.

Explore the ADC Technical Tasks Course →

Common technical preparation mistakes

Practising without understanding the criteria

Repeatedly performing a procedure without knowing how it will be assessed can lead to inefficient preparation.

Relying on outdated information

The examination changes over time. The 2026 updates to amalgam, resin composite tasks and simulation teeth are good examples.

Ignoring infection control

Infection prevention and control is part of the practical examination and should be integrated into your routine.

Focusing only on speed

Efficiency matters, but accuracy, process and safe clinical practice matter more.

Comparing only with other candidates

Peer feedback can be useful, but official ADC guidance and current rubrics should remain your primary reference.

Frequently asked questions

Is amalgam still part of the ADC Technical Skills Day?

The amalgam placement task was removed from Period 2, 2026 and replaced by a second resin composite restoration task.

Are resin composite tasks assessed separately?

Yes. From Period 2, 2026, separate marking rubrics are used for anterior and posterior resin composite restorations.

Are infection control standards assessed during technical tasks?

Yes. The ADC publishes infection prevention and control criteria relevant to practical examinations, and task-specific criteria may also apply.

Can online training replace practical training?

No. Online education can help candidates understand the process, criteria and technique, but practical skills require hands-on practice.

Can Aurora be used before another onsite ADC course?

Yes. Aurora is designed to work well as preparation before, alongside or after hands-on training.