Dental Therapy

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.

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 Retake Fee:
• Second Attempt: No clinical examination fee. Candidate responsible for Typodont Fee ($150) per procedure and any applicable Facility Fee (varies by location).
• Third Attempt: Pediatric Manikin – $1,295; Restorative – Anterior and/or Posterior $1,295; plus any applicable Facility Fee (varies by location).

Computer-Based DT OSCE Fee:
Retake $400

Extended Registration & Transfer Fee
Request submitted after Clinical Registration Deadline = $145 Extended Registration & Transfer Fee

Once any component of the examination series has been attempted (clinical or computer-based), a refund will not be issued for any remaining untaken examination components.

• Withdrawal prior to Clinical Registration Deadline = Full Refund
• Withdrawal after Clinical Registration Deadline** = Refund minus $145 Extended Registration & Transfer Fee (only if no examination component has been attempted)
• “No Show” status = Refer to Candidate Guide (policies)
• Completed component/examination series = 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 Clinical Exam Calendar

The 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.