Mission
The American Board of Dental Examiners serves jurisdictions in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica in the pursuit of public health, safety, and welfare by ensuring that safe and competent dental care is provided by qualified dental practitioners.
Vision
It is the vision of the American Board of Dental Examiners to be the nationwide resource in the development, innovation, and administration of competency assessments for the oral health professions. To do this, we are: Committed to designing and administering assessments based on sound principles of testing and measurement. Pledged to excellence, integrity, and fairness. Committed to a national, uniform examination process dedicated to the protection of the public through cooperation with state dental boards and educational institutions.
Our Structure
ADEX administers a comprehensive suite of clinical examinations used by dental boards across the United States and internationally. Examinations are continuously reviewed and refined by the Council on Examinations to ensure relevance, fairness, and clinical accuracy. Every state & territory is represented on the Council.
The ADEX Council on Examinations develops, reviews, and, when necessary and appropriate, revises the content, scoring, and criteria of the clinical dental and dental hygiene examinations for initial licensure for dentistry and dental hygiene. While the Council is comprised of examiners, its members are appointed by their state board.
Together, the ADEX exam administration unit and ADEX Council on Examinations ensure that all exams we deliver are both professionally sound and operationally reliable.
Supporting State Boards
Service as an ADEX examiner is an extension of a state board’s regulatory responsibility. Our downloadable handout outlines how examiners are selected, trained, and calibrated, and how their work supports examination integrity and board oversight.
ADEX Exam Portability Maps
Dental Examinations
Please be sure to click each state for specific guidance regarding Periodontal Scaling requirements and additional details.
It is the candidate’s responsibility to understand the licensing requirements, including any remediation requirements, for practicing dentistry in the state where they seek licensure. The American Board of Dental Examiners is not responsible for providing this information.
Last Updated 11/4/2025 Maps are updated with information as confirmed with each Jurisdiction. Jurisdictions not accepting the ADEX Dental Examination for initial licensure are depicted in grey and include Delaware, and New York.
Dental Hygiene Examinations
Please be sure to click each state for specific guidance regarding limitations and additional details.
It is the candidate’s responsibility to understand the licensing requirements, including any remediation requirements, for practicing dentistry in the state where they seek licensure. The American Board of Dental Examiners is not responsible for providing this information.
Last Updated 11/4/2025 Maps are updated with information as confirmed with each Jurisdiction. Jurisdictions not accepting the ADEX Dental Hygiene Examination for initial licensure are depicted in grey and include Delaware and Nebraska.
Examiners
Dental and Dental Hygiene professionals act as examiners for ADEX in the delivery and grading of assessments nationwide.
State dental board members play a critical role by participating in the examination administration process. Service as an ADEX examiner is an extension of a state board’s regulatory responsibility.
Educators can also apply to become an examiner. Click the apply now button to learn more.
