Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE)

National Board Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE)

Credential: National Board Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE)  GI Bill resource
Credentialing Agency: Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE)

Renewal Period: 1 year

National Board Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE) assists state boards in determining qualifications of dentists who seek licensure to practice dentistry. The examinations assess the ability to understand important information from basic biomedical and dental sciences and the ability to apply such information in a problem-solving context, the final authority on licensure requirements is the individual state. Though requirements vary from state to state, all applicants for dental licensure must meet three basic requirements; an education requirement, a written examination requirement and a clinical examination requirement. National Board Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE) is a high level certification recognized by all United States licensing jurisdictions.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

National Board Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

 

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience
  • Education: Accredited Program
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 1 year

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE)

211 East Chicago Ave
Suite 600
Chicago, IL  60611-2678

Phone: (800) 232-1694

Email: nbexams@ada.org

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Option 1:

You must be a graduate of Commission on Dental Accreditation accredited dental hygiene program. The Joint Commission's receipt of evidence of graduation can be provided as proof to sit for the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE) exam.

Option 2:

A student in Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) accredited dental hygiene program is eligible for examination when the dental hygiene program director (or designee) certifies that the student is prepared in all NBDHE disciplines.

Option 3:

The NBDHE exam can be taken if the applicant is a dental student from an accredited dental school and if the dean of the dental school certifies that you have completed the equivalent of an accredited dental hygiene program.

Option 4:

Dental Hygienist who has graduated from a non-accredited dental hygiene program, the program should meet the ADA accreditation standards.

Option 5:

A dentist is eligible for examination if the eligibility requirements for National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) are met. This provision does not apply to a dentist who was endorsed for the NBDE Part I by the dean of an accredited dental school that was considering admission of the dentist with advanced standing.

The National Board Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE) credential has the following other requirements:

  • Applicants for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examinations are expected to abide by these ethical standards and to read, understand and comply with the Rules of Conduct and regulations guiding the National Board examinations.

    • The proof of fulfilling the eligibility requirement must be in the form of a letter of recommendation from
      1. Dean of an accredited dental school, or
      2. Director of an accredited dental hygiene program, and
      3. Secretary of a board of dentistry of a U.S. licensing jurisdiction.
Show Written Exam Requirements / Hide Written Exam Requirements

Note: NBDHE exam consists of two components. Component A includes 200 multiple-choice items, and Component B consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that refer to 12 to 15 dental hygiene patient cases.

  • Scientific Basis For Dental Hygiene Practice
    • Anatomic Sciences
    • Physiology
    • Biochemistry and Nutrition
    • Microbiology and Immunology
    • Pathology
    • Pharmacology
  • Provision Of Clinical Dental Hygiene Services
    • Assessing Patient Characteristics
    • Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs
    • Planning /Managing Dental Hygiene
    • Performing Periodontal Procedures
    • Using Preventive Agents
    • Providing Supportive Treatment Services
    • Professional Responsibility
  • Community Health/Research Principles
    • Promoting Health and Preventing Disease Within Groups
    • Participating in Community Programs
    • Analyzing Scientific Literature, Understanding Statistical Concepts, and Applying Research Results

Note: Component B includes 150 case-based items that refer to 12-15 dental hygiene patient cases. These cases present information dealing with adult and child patients by means of patient histories, dental charts, radiographs, and, at times, intra- and extra-oral photographs. Each examination includes at least one case regarding patients of the following types: Geriatric, Adult-Periodontal, Pediatric, Special Needs, and Medically Compromised. A compromised patient is one whose health status may require modification of standard treatment or special consideration.

  • Assessing patient characteristics
  • Obtaining and interpreting radiographs
  • Planning and managing dental hygiene care
  • Performing periodontal procedures
  • Using preventive agents
  • Providing supportive treatment services
  • Professional responsibility

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE) examination:

Additional considerations for the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE) include:

  • Dental Student and Dentist can also apply for the NBDHE certification exam. Details can be obtained from NBDHE Candidate Guide.
  • National Board scores are completely at the discretion of the individual state. A state may place any limit on acceptance of National Board scores that it deems appropriate.
  • A dentist or a dental hygienist serving in a U.S. military service who is stationed outside the United States can request to be examined by the base education officer. More information can be obtained from the NBDHE Handbook.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Promotion Points

This certification has been approved for promotion points.

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Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Proponent Funded

Indicates the credential may have funding through the MOS proponent. Some proponents offer credentialing opportunities in conjunction with military training and/or as part of MOS development beyond the training base.

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Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click 'Complete Voucher and Apply' at the top of any page.

CG Bucks

Coming Soon - Coast Guard policy regarding service member eligibility requirements to participate in the Voluntary Credentialing Program is under review with a projected release date of first quarter FY20.

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 and Above

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 and Above

LaDR

This credential is recommended on the rating Learning and Development Roadmap (LaDR) for Sailors currently in the pay grade indicated on the icon, BUT MAY BE TAKEN BY SAILORS IN OTHER PAY GRADES.

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GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

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ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

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ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

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ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

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NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

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Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: mimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty

Army e-learning

State-of-the art Computer Based Training available for free to the Army Workforce. Click for more information.

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NKO e-learning

Credential preparation courses are provided at no cost through Navy e-Learning. Click for external link to the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) web site, then select the “Navy e-Learning” link within the “Learning” tab to proceed to Navy e-Learning.

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Dental Hygienists
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Dental Hygienists
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Updated: October 16, 2019
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