For immediate release, May 21, 2020 | Linthicum Heights, MD

Exam Provides Psychomotor Performance Evaluation

The Commission on  Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA) will soon be able to offer dental hygiene licensure candidates a new option to demonstrate readiness for practice. The American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) approved the use of a typodont for clinical examinations last week after reviewing an analysis and feasibility study. Read the ADEX announcement here.

The ADEX Dental Hygiene Committee approved the manikin-based option for use in the Patient Clinical Treatment Exam (PTCE) is a response to the COVID-19 crisis should states wish to require a psychomotor demonstration of skills in the absence of patients. The ADEX Examination for Dental Hygiene licensure is made up of two parts, the PTCE and the Computer Simulated Clinical Examination OSCE (CSCE OSCE). Examinations using the approved typodont will be available in early July through CDCA-WREB-CITA

Earlier this spring the ADEX Dental Examination Committee approved use of the CompeDont™, a psychometrically validated simulated tooth, for use in the Restorative Examination for dentistry.

At least 11 states already permit the use of a manikin for dental hygiene examinations and/or accept the CSCE OSCE only for licensure. States seeking support in making these decisions are encouraged to contact the CDCA-WREB-CITA as representatives will be made available to participate in conference calls and meetings.  The typodont is also approved for use in Periodontal Scaling assessments for dental licensure candidates.

CDCA-WREB-CITA, founded in 1969, is the largest nonprofit, third-party administrator of dental and dental hygiene assessments in the US. To reach a CDCA-WREB-CITA representative, contact Stephanie Beeler, Multimedia, Communications, and Strategic Projects Leader at sbeeler@cdcaexams.org.