The Dental Therapy Exam is designed to test clinical competencies consistent with the Dental Therapist’s Scope of Practice. The exam is divided into four parts: Amalgam Restoration, Pediatric Endodontic, Stainless Steel Crowns (Pediatric Manikin Exam), Periodontal Scaling, Restorative and DT OSCE sections. These exams are specific to the skill sets of Dental Therapists.
Only students or graduates of schools accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) or the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) may take the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) examinations. All other candidates (including international graduates) must apply through the state dental board in the state or jurisdiction where they wish to practice for permission to take an examination for licensure only in that state or jurisdiction.
Candidate Manuals & Forms
Dental Therapy OSCE
The Dental Therapy OSCE (DT OSCE) is a 100-question multiple-choice computerized examination delivered at Prometric Test Centers. The test is approximately 2.5 hours in length, including an introduction, tutorial, and final survey. The actual examination time is 1 hour and 55 minutes. Candidates may skip or mark items to be considered later. Once the examination is completed, however, the candidate will not be able to return to those questions. The time indicated on the computer screen is the amount of time for that subsection. There is no specific time limit for each item.
Examination Fees – Dental Therapy Series
Full Examination Fee:
Dental Therapy Examination Series (Clinical and computer-based) includes Amalgam Restoration, Pediatric Endodontic, Stainless Steel Crowns (Pediatric Manikin Exam), Periodontal Scaling, Restorative and DT OSCE sections $2,595 plus Facility Fee (varies by Clinical location)
*Includes one complimentary retake per clinical examination procedure. Candidate responsible for Typodont Fee ($150) per procedure and any applicable Facility Fee (varies by location).
Clinical Individual/Retake Fees:
Pediatric Endodontic, Amalgam Restoration, Stainless Steel Crowns, and/or Periodontal Scaling – $1,295
Restorative – Anterior and/or Posterior $1,295
Computer-Based Dental Therapy OSCE Fees:
Individual $775
Retake $400
Extended Registration & Transfer Fee
Request submitted after Clinical Registration Deadline = $145 Extended Registration & Transfer Fee
• Withdrawal prior to Clinical Registration Deadline = Full Refund
• Withdrawal after Clinical Registration Deadline** = Refund minus $145 Extended Registration & Transfer Fee (applicable only to exam parts not attempted)
• “No Show” status = Refer to Candidate Guide (policies)
• Completed exam(s) = Not Applicable/No Refund**Registration credit use/refund must be completed within two years of original payment date, minus any applicable administrative fees. Registration credits not valid for use or refund beyond expiry date [2 years from initial date of payment].
Dental Therapy Exam Calendar
American Board of Dental Examiners administers examinations for initial licensure across all fields of dentistry. The following calendar displays real-time exam availability. Note that some locations may close registration early due to capacity or restrict eligibility to students of record of that school/program. Click the information “ℹ” icon to view the location status.
• Outside Candidates: YES = Registration open to both non-students and students.
• Outside Candidates: NO = Registration limited to only students of record of the school/program where the exam is hosted.
Refer to the Candidate Guide, Candidate Manual and FAQs for eligibility requirements, exam registration, clinical scheduling requests, administrative policies, and more. See Examination Fees pane for late registration, transfer, withdrawal, and more.
Login or Create an Account to access the “Register for an Exam” button of your online profile and view those exams for which you are eligible or authorized.
About the Dental Therapy Examination
The first-of-its-kind licensure examination for Dental Therapists, the Dental Therapy Examination delivered by American Board of Dental Examiners, is based on sound principles of testing and measurement. To learn more about the skills tested, methodologies, and the development process, watch this video. Contact us to learn more.
How do I Register for this Exam?
Please review the exam registration process on how to create a profile and register for this exam.