CompeDont™ tooth recognized by TOPRA Awards for pioneering dental licensure transformation
The American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) has been named a finalist in the Regulatory Pioneer category of The Organisation for Professionals in Regulatory Affairs (TOPRA) Awards for Regulatory Excellence 2026. ADEX, a national organization dedicated to developing and administering competency assessments for oral health professionals, earned the recognition for developing the CompeDont™ tooth. CompeDont™ is a clinically realistic simulated testing model that transformed dental licensure across the United States and around the world.
The TOPRA Awards for Regulatory Excellence are the annual international awards celebrating achievement and best practice in regulatory affairs. The Regulatory Pioneer category recognizes organizations that have challenged or advanced the approach to regulation, shaped policy or regulatory landscapes, and driven innovation in ways that improve outcomes for the public. The finalist recognition positions ADEX alongside regulatory leaders from across the globe.
Celebrating International Recognition
“Being named a finalist for the TOPRA Awards for Regulatory Excellence is a proud moment for ADEX and for everyone who contributed to this important work,” said Alex Vandiver, CEO of ADEX. “This recognition from an international regulatory body affirms that the innovation driving dental licensure in the United States is setting a standard that resonates well beyond our borders.”
The CompeDont™ Story
ADEX began developing the CompeDont™ tooth in 2016 to address multiple years of ethical debate surrounding the use of patients in high-stakes dental licensure examinations. The organization invested more than $1 million and conducted pilot testing at dental programs before introducing the simulated tooth in 2020. Designed to replicate the clinical variability of natural tooth structures, the CompeDont™ tooth allows candidates to diagnose and treat Class II and Class III variable caries under standardized conditions.
The impact of that decision is measurable. By 2024, patient involvement in dental licensure examinations fell from thousands of interactions in 2023 to zero in ADEX exams. More than 13,000 dental professionals completed ADEX examinations that year. The ADEX Dental examination is now also administered internationally in Canada, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia, where it was delivered in January 2026 at King Abdulaziz University.
A recent national poll affirmed that 82% of Americans believe hand-skills examinations are necessary to evaluate a dentist’s ability to perform procedures safely. The CompeDont platform allows these important qualifying licensure examinations to be conducted in the fairest moth ethical manner. ADEX continues to advance the regulatory frameworks that protect public health and safety while expanding access to fair, standardized, and portable competency assessment.
About the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX)
The American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting dental boards in their mission to protect the public through the licensure of qualified oral health professionals. Established in 1969, ADEX administers independent competency examinations developed and approved by representatives of state dental boards. ADEX examinations are accepted or required by law in 51 U.S. jurisdictions and serve as the initial licensure pathway for 98% of dental and 85% of dental hygiene candidates nationwide. Through ongoing collaboration with dental boards and educators, ADEX continues to advance innovative, evidence-based assessment methods that uphold the highest standards of fairness, clinical competence, and public protection.