NDAEB Written Examination Candidate Handbook Revised January 2024 © 1998 – 2024 National Dental Assisting Examining Board
© 1998 – 2024 National Dental Assisting Examining Board 1 Candidate Handbook for the Written Examination – 2024 Table of Contents Introduction .....................................................................................................................................................1 Application Requirements ….……………………………………………………………………..…….4 Fees..................................................................................................................................................................5 Application Procedure .....................................................................................................................................5 Application Withdrawal .........................................................................................................................................6 Examination Emergencies and Illnesses ..........................................................................................................7 Testing Accommodations and Special Sittings ................................................................................................8 Test Dates and Sites .........................................................................................................................................9 Remote Proctored Exams……….…..………………………………………………….…………..………...9 Remote Proctoring Disconnections………………………………………………………….………….…..10 Examination Admission Requirements ..........................................................................................................10 Examination Duration....................................................................................................................................10 Examination Format and Test Blueprint ........................................................................................................11 FDI Tooth Numbering System.......................................................................................................................11 Testing Agency ..............................................................................................................................................11 Passing Score .................................................................................................................................................12 Key Validation ...............................................................................................................................................12 Examination Results ......................................................................................................................................12 NDAEB Certificate Release .………………………………………………………………….……………13 Examination Re-Writes........................................................................................................................................13 Examination Re-Scoring................................................................................................................................13 Examination Appeals .....................................................................................................................................14 Test Security ..................................................................................................................................................15 References ..................................................................................................................................................... 15 Exam Preparation........................................................................................................................................... 16 NDAEB Preparation Test…..…………………………………………………………………….…………17 Rules Of Conduct During the Exam..............................................................................................................18 Domain Description for Dental Assisting ......................................................................................................20 1. Ethical And Legal Practice as A Dental Assistant...........................................................................20 2. Dental Sciences............................................................................................................................20 3. Clinical Support Procedures ........................................................................................................21 4. Patient Records ............................................................................................................................23 5. Patient Care Procedures ...............................................................................................................23 6. Practice Management Procedures ................................................................................................30 7. Prevent Procedures ......................................................................................................................30 Preamble – Sample Test Questions................................................................................................................34 Answer Key to Sample Questions .................................................................................................................43
© 1998 – 2023 National Dental Assisting Examining Board 2 Candidate Handbook for the Written Examination – 2024 Introduction This handbook provides information to candidates preparing to write the National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) Examination. While efforts have been made to ensure the information supplied is accurate, you acknowledge the handbook and its contents are being provided to you on an “as is” basis without any warranties, representations or conditions regarding its accuracy and that all risk associated with its use is assumed by you. In no event will the National Dental Assisting Examining Board or its agents be liable to you for any loss or damage arising, whether directly or indirectly, from your use of this handbook, including any special, indirect or consequential damages, howsoever caused. Should discrepancies occur, please notify the National Dental Assisting Examining Board office by telephone: (613) 526-3424 or email: [email protected]. In Canada, the regulation of the dental assisting profession lies within the jurisdiction of each province. Provincial governments have mandated the responsibility to a provincial regulatory body called a College, Board, Council or Association. While the NDAEB will encourage all dental assisting regulatory bodies to recognize the NDAEB certificate as the initial requirement for registration/certification/licensure/ listing in their province, acceptance of the NDAEB certificate is completely at the discretion of the Canadian Dental Assisting Regulatory Authorities. NDAEB Office Hours & Location The National Dental Assisting Examining Board head office is located in Ottawa, Ontario (Canada) at: 2283 St. Laurent Blvd, Suite 204 Ottawa, ON K1G 5A2 (613) 526 - 3424 (Phone) | (613) 526 - 5560 (Fax) [email protected] Hours of Operation from Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. Please note: Drop-in/walk-in candidates cannot be permitted for security purposes. Should you require to meet with a staff in person, please contact the office to schedule an appointment ahead of time.
© 1998 – 2024 National Dental Assisting Examining Board 3 Candidate Handbook for the Written Examination – 2024 NDAEB Mission The NDAEB’s mission is to assure individuals have met the current national baseline standard in the knowledge and skills required by Canadian provincial or territorial regulatory authorities for recognition as an intra-oral dental assistant. Vision The NDAEB will strive for excellence in the provision of valid and reliable national dental assisting examinations. Values The NDAEB is committed to fairness, transparency and excellence in the services it provides to candidates, stakeholders and the public.
© 1998 – 2024 National Dental Assisting Examining Board 4 Candidate Handbook for the Written Examination – 2024 Application Requirements To be eligible for the NDAEB exam, candidates must meet specific requirements. Applicants who have completed both theoretical and clinical education in all essential National Core Skills from an education program recognized by the NDAEB may apply for the exam. These Core Skills are detailed in the Dental Assisting Domain Description section of this handbook. Since June 1999, NDAEB policy mandates students to finish their practical training before taking the exam. The handson experience gained during these placements can be advantageous when preparing for the test. Eligibility of Graduates of Registered Dental Assisting Programs Applicants applying from dental assisting programs which are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC), or from non-accredited dental assisting education programs which have been granted exam eligibility by the NDAEB, are considered graduates of a “registered program”. Registered program graduates may register for the NDAEB examination with proof of successful completion of education. No further verification required. For a list of registered dental assisting programs please see the NDAEB website: https://ndaeb.ca/schools/. Candidates who have completed a dental assisting program before 2017, must submit their Diploma and Transcript for assessment to determine current exam eligibility. Note: Graduates of other dental health programs accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) may submit their academic credentials through a formal assessment process to determine exam eligibility. For full details on the assessment process, please see the Schools section of the NDAEB website: www.ndaeb.ca. Eligibility of Graduates of Non-Registered Programs Applicants of any other dental assisting program (or other dental health program) which is not accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) and not listed on our registered eligible Schools section, are considered a “non-registered program graduates”. To be considered for eligibility to write the NDAEB exam, applicants must submit their academic credentials through a formal assessment process to determine their theoretical and clinical education meets national standards as outlined in the NDAEB Dental Assisting Domain Description. See the NDAEB website www.ndaeb.ca for details. Following receipt the required documents for assessment, the NDAEB Candidate Eligibility Assessment Committee (CEAC) will review the applicant’s credentials to determine their eligibility to write the NDAEB exam. Please, DO NOT apply for the NDAEB Written Exam without first receiving an official Candidate Eligibility Assessment Committee (CEAC) letter of approval. Note: The written examination represents Part I of the mandatory two-part NDAEB certificate for “non-registered program graduates". Part II of the NDAEB certificate requires the successful completion of the NDAEB Clinical Practice Evaluation (CPE) or education in lieu.
© 1998 – 2024 National Dental Assisting Examining Board 5 Candidate Handbook for the Written Examination – 2024 Fees • Credential Assessment Fee (conducted by NDAEB for exam eligibility) - $320.00 (CAD only). • Written Exam Fee (initial or rewrite attempts) - $730.00 (CAD only). ✓ Exam fee includes a $100 non-refundable application fee. ✓ Due to the cost of administration, the NDAEB does not reimburse overpayments of $20.00 or less. ✓ The written exam fee covers the cost of the exam service. After completing the exam, the full Written Exam fee is non-refundable whether awarded a pass or fail. Application Procedure • Written exam applications will be made available online approximately five (5) weeks before the scheduled application deadline. Visit the NDAEB website at https://ndaeb.ca/written-exam-general/written-exam-schedule/ for the applications opening and deadline dates. Candidates must complete and submit their exam application online through the NDAEB website: www.ndaeb.ca. Candidates must provide the following: ✓ A valid email address, phone number and mailing address. Please make sure the email address provided is correct and accessible (do not use school or work emails). All official communication with NDAEB will be done via email. ✓ Proof of completed dental assisting education (diploma and/or final official transcript for Level I and II if taken separately). • If a final diploma/official transcript has not yet been received, please submit the Letter of Enrolment from the dental assisting school you are currently attending, confirming the expected successful completion date of the program (which must be no later than the last business day prior to the date of the examination you are applying for). Letters must be on school letterhead with the signature of the designated faculty member, and must state your name, start and anticipated completion date. Candidates submitting the Letter of Enrolment with their registration, are required to submit to the NDAEB a copy of their diploma and/or final signed transcript as soon it’s been received. ✓ Digital photo. The photo must be in colour and taken against a plain white or light-coloured background (resembling a picture that would appear on a license or passport). Do NOT submit low resolution pictures and copies of ID / licenses / passports, they will NOT be accepted. Additionally, candidates must not submit an altered photo. If a picture is suspected to have been altered/enhanced/filtered/ in any way, it will not be accepted. Candidates who do not follow the requirements for the photo risk having their application registration delayed and/or withdrawn. ✓ Examination fees are payable online at the time of application. Candidates must use a valid credit card. Please be aware, a non-refundable credit card processing fee will be applied. International credit cards may be charged a higher non-refundable processing fee. Please do not use international credit cards if possible. Cash, money order/bank drafts or personal cheques will not be accepted. Note: in the event of a refund, fees will be credited back to the credit card used at the time of payment. Refund cheques or credits towards alternate cards will not be permitted. Documents are to be submitted in PDF format. Scanned copies of academic documents must be full-size and of high quality. Poor quality copies and/or unsecure official digital records of documents will not be accepted and will delay your application registration. Note: Candidates are responsible for reviewing all information provided on the application form to ensure information is correct.
© 1998 – 2024 National Dental Assisting Examining Board 6 Candidate Handbook for the Written Examination – 2024 • The online application form, required documentation and payment must be received by the NDAEB no later than 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on the application deadline date. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted. Note: Requests for exam site changes and/or testing accommodations must be made prior to the exam application deadline. Changes cannot be made following the application deadline. • Should we require any further information for your application, or if any documents are missing/not acceptable, candidates will be contacted directly by the NDAEB office by phone or email. Candidates are responsible for checking their email, provided during the application process (including “Spam” and “Junk” folders) to receive a communication from NDAEB in time. Candidates who do not follow this requirements risk having their application withdrawn. • Candidates must allow up to two (2) weeks to receive an official reply from NDAEB. Once the NDAEB reviews and approves your examination application, you will receive an email directing you to the NDAEB Candidate Portal (https://candidates.ndaeb.ca/login.php) where you can access your registration letter and receipt online. • Three (3) weeks prior the exam date candidates will receive an Exam Booking Confirmation email from our third-party testing provider, Meazure Learning Inc. The Booking email will provide candidates with information and directives regarding their scheduled date, time and location of their examination, and exam day password setting procedures. Please be aware, the NDAEB exams are computer-based at NDAEB authorized test centres. The use of remote online proctored examinations and may only be used in extreme situations approved by the NDAEB. Candidates may not request remote online proctored exams. • Two (2) weeks prior to the exam date, candidates will receive an email notification from the NDAEB advising that their Admission Letter is available and they will also receive a secondary confirmation email from Meazure Learning Inc. This is to act as a reminder to ensure that candidates have received their exam booking confirmation and have read all required information needed to prepare for exam day. • If you have not received your NDAEB admission letter notification or Meazure Learning booking confirmation email two (2) weeks before the examination date, you must contact the NDAEB office immediately by email [email protected]. Application Withdrawal Exam applications can be withdrawn; however candidates will incur withdrawal fees as outlined below. Candidates must inform the NDAEB office of their withdrawal by completing the NDAEB Withdrawal Request Form, accessible on our website (https://ndaeb.ca/document-library/ ). This form must be submitted to our office via email ([email protected]) or fax (1-613-526-5560) as soon as possible before the exam date. Withdrawal fees will apply based on the date when the NDAEB office receives the candidate's official signed withdrawal request. Applicants withdrawing from the examination due to circumstances related to illness or emergency, MUST accompany their request of withdrawal with a verifiable physician’s certificate or written verification provided by a religious leader or other such professional. Upon review by the NDAEB, examination withdrawal fees may be waived, depending on the circumstances. The NDAEB reserves the right to determine circumstances that qualify as grounds for withdrawal without financial penalty. In the event a candidate does not successfully complete all requirements of their dental assisting program (including practicum(s)), a candidate must formally withdrawal from the exam sitting. NDAEB must be notified no later than the last business day prior to the exam date(s) by 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. Candidates must submit the Withdrawal Request
© 1998 – 2024 National Dental Assisting Examining Board 7 Candidate Handbook for the Written Examination – 2024 Form to the NDAEB office with supporting documentation from their program. Candidates registered for the examination and who fail to present for the sitting (“No-Show”) will be assessed the full examination fee. In the event a candidate is unable to attend the exam sitting for medical or serious personal reasons, their exam fees may be reimbursed, or the candidate may be registered for the next session without additional charge, provided the candidate submits a recent letter from a physician or other professional, confirming the reason for failing to attend the exam. Candidates must submit their documentation to the NDAEB office no later than 30 days following the exam date they did not attend to receive reimbursement or transfer at no cost to the next available exam sitting. Applicants must reapply for another examination if their exam fees are reimbursed. Withdrawn applications will NOT be held on file by the NDAEB and will be returned to the applicant. It is the responsibility of candidates to read and understand what the environmental and technical requirements are when registering for remote proctored exams. In the event a candidate withdraws due to environmental and/or technical issues and/or requirements, withdrawal fees will apply as stipulated below. No exceptions will be given. • Withdrawal Fees: ✓ Withdrawal received before the application deadline date – $100 non-refundable application fee * ✓ Withdrawal received 15 days or more from exam session date (1st day of an exam sitting) - $100 nonrefundable application fee + $ 210.00 withdrawal fee* ✓ Withdrawal received 14 days or less from exam session date (1st day of an exam sitting) - Full fees will be assessed / non-refundable *The $100 application fee is non-refundable and applies to all withdrawals regardless of the circumstances causing the candidate to withdraw. Withdrawal fees will be applied against the first day of an exam session. Examination Emergencies and Illnesses Candidates experiencing a severe personal circumstance beyond their control that severely disadvantages them immediately before or during the examination, must do the following: • If the event occurs at the exam site and/or during the examination, candidates must immediately notify their exam facilitator/testing center. • If the event occurs at the exam site and/or during the examination, candidates must submit a written signed letter to the NDAEB, documenting the event, within one (1) week of this personal circumstance occurring. • Candidates who do not appear for the exam and/or experiencing medical emergencies or illnesses immediately before and/or during the exam, must notify NDAEB within one (1) week of their scheduled exam and submit their supporting documentation no later than 30 days following the exam date. Future consideration may not be given by the NDAEB to candidates who have not followed the prescribed procedure.
© 1998 – 2024 National Dental Assisting Examining Board 8 Candidate Handbook for the Written Examination – 2024 Testing Accommodations and Special Sittings The NDAEB makes every reasonable effort to administer examinations in a manner that is fair and equitable to all persons. Testing accommodations or special sitting dates for religious reasons must be approved by the NDAEB. Testing accommodations may include extra time (time and one half = 6 hours); a quiet (separate) room; an exam reader, an exam recorder (i.e., scribe). At this time, computerized assistive technology (i.e. Kurzweil) with our third-party provider’s computerized examinations is only available in some testing centers. Please contact the NDAEB to request more information if this accommodation is required. Note: the duties of an exam reader are to read aloud the test questions to the candidate, not to coach the candidate or to provide assistance that would help the candidate select the correct answers. Exam readers are selected by the NDAEB and do not have a background in dental assisting, dentistry or a related field. Candidates must understand that if requesting a recorder for special accommodations, the recorder, the NDAEB and its agents assume no liability and are not responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the Written Examination and/or Clinical Practice Evaluation (CPE) results. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure their answers are recorded online according to the instructions given to the recorder. Be advised, at this time, accommodations for recorders and readers are only available at testing centers; recorders are not permitted with remote proctored exams. Requests for special testing accommodations must be submitted with Written Exam Application no later than the application deadline date by submitting a signed Requests for Special Accommodations Form available at https://documents.ndaeb.ca/special-accom-req/ and the following supporting documents: • Requests due to a diagnosed psychological condition must include original documentation (current within the last five (5) years) submitted by a professional (e.g., psychologist, psychiatrist, learning disability specialist), supporting and indicating the accommodation measures required. • Requests due to a diagnosed medical condition must include original documentation (current within the last twelve (12) months) submitted by a physician supporting and indicating the accommodation measures required. • Requests for dietary food requirements and/or drink (including water) or other medicinal requirements (including medical devices) during the examination, due to a diagnosed medical condition, must include original documentation indicating the accommodation measures required. Note: if you require use of a medical device (ex, glucose meter) please contact the NDAEB office prior to the exam application deadline for information and directives, as some devices may not be permitted in the exam room. Reports submitted in support of any testing accommodation(s) request must include a statement confirming that the applicant has an ongoing, recognized disability that requires testing accommodations. Requests for prayer time accommodations or alternate dates due to religious reasons must include original documentation submitted by a religious leader confirming a candidate’s participation in designated prayer times and/or the inability to attend a scheduled examination or evaluation and include time(s) and/or date(s) required for. When authorized by the Chief Administrative Officer/Registrar, NDAEB will accommodate requests for alternate examination. Note: The Chief Administrative Officer/Registrar reserves the right to request additional supporting documentation for all requests for accommodations and will assess requests on an individual basis and if deemed eligible may provide a reasonable accommodation, as appropriate. Accommodation(s) granted to a candidate will be valid for one examination or evaluation and are not automatically transferrable to subsequent examinations or evaluations. Candidates requiring a retake of an examination will be required to submit the Request for Special Accommodations Form and may be required to apply further supporting documentation.
© 1998 – 2024 National Dental Assisting Examining Board 9 Candidate Handbook for the Written Examination – 2024 It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they included with their application the Request for Special Accommodations Form ( https://ndaeb.ca/document-library/) and supporting documentation listed above. Candidates who fail to provide the required documentation, risk having their request(s) for accommodations denied and/or application withdrawn. Test Dates and Sites The NDAEB Examinations are scheduled four (4) times per year typically on the last week of March, June, September, and the second week in December. Examinations are administered in most major cities across Canada through our third-party testing provider. For a list of current testing locations, please visit our website: https://ndaeb.ca/written-exam-general/ . Note: locations are limited and are subject to changes. Please visit the NDAEB website for a list of available exam dates and application deadlines. Candidates may be required to write the exam on an alternate date/or site due to site availability and/or special testing accommodations. While the NDAEB makes every effort to ensure seating is available, we cannot guarantee your first-choice exam location will be available. In the event candidates are required to be scheduled at an alternate location, all efforts will be made to ensure sites are within a reasonable distance. Candidates may request an alternate exam site if they reside more than 250km (4hr or more) from an established testing location. Note: it is at the discretion of the NDAEB to re-assign site locations and/or assign candidates to a remote proctored exam. Remote Proctored Exams In the event the NDAEB approves use for remote proctoring, this method of exam delivery will allow candidates to take their test at a remote location of their choosing while ensuring the integrity of the exam. Candidates are required to provide the environmental and technical requirements of this exam delivery method, and will be subject to continuous surveillance, which includes at minimum, identity confirmation, video monitoring and behaviour censoring. Remote (online) proctors are skillfully trained to monitor online behaviour of test takers and will flag candidates should anyone be suspected of suspicious behaviour. To take a remote proctored exam from an alternate location, candidates need: • Private and quiet room (no other persons are permitted in the same room) • Suitable desktop PC/laptop • Stable high-speed internet connection • Functional webcam and a mic Should a candidate be permitted to take the national examination through remote proctoring, the NDAEB and thirdparty testing provider will provide candidates with specific directives to follow. It is the candidates’ responsibility to ensure they have fully read and understand the requirements needed. Candidates who fail to properly prepare their computer systems prior to their exam day as directed risk experiencing technical issues on the day of their exam. If candidates experience technical issues on the day of their exam and NDAEB determines the candidate did not sufficiently prepare themselves and/or their computer systems for remote proctoring, they risk cancellation of their examinations; candidates will not be rescheduled, and all fees will be forfeited.
© 1998 – 2024 National Dental Assisting Examining Board 10 Candidate Handbook for the Written Examination – 2024 Remote Proctoring Disconnections In the event a candidate experiences technical issues beyond their control, they must immediately contact the third-party testing provider. Depending on the severity of the technical issue, the candidate may be required to stop the examination and be rescheduled for a re-attempt. If this occurs, the examination will be rescheduled the following business day. Note: It is the candidate’s responsibility to contact the third-party testing provider immediately if experiencing any technical issues. If the issue has not been resolved after four (4) hours of your scheduled exam, candidates must notify the NDAEB office by email describing the situation that has occurred. In the event a candidate has not been able to complete the examination due to technical problems and has not contacted the NDAEB within twentyfour (24) hours of their exam, an exam reschedule may not be granted and the attempt will be counted as a “No Show”. All fees will be forfeited. Examination Admission Requirements For admission to the testing facility on examination day, the candidate must: • Arrive at the examination site at least thirty (30) minutes early for registration; however, times may vary depending on the number of candidates writing. Refer to your admission letter and/or test center confirmation email for your reporting time. • Present a printed Exam Booking Confirmation email provided by Meazure Learning Inc. Meazure Learning booking confirmation email presented on a smartphone screen will be accepted, provided all information is clearly viewable by the test administrator at your site. After showing the booking email to the administrator, candidates MUST turn off their device and follow the testing facilities directives in storing personal belongings. Candidates are NOT permitted to access their phones during the examination period. • Present one (1) form of original valid photo identification with signature (e.g.: driver’s license, health care card with photo, or passport). Your ID must have the first and last name matching exactly to what you have applied to NDAEB with. If you have you any discrepancies in your name, you must contact the NDAEB office as soon as possible before the day of your exam. Digital copies of the IDs are not permitted. Candidates are not permitted to bring anything into the testing room and must follow the Rules of Conduct set out by the NDAEB and the testing provider. Computers will be provided for candidates taking the exam at testing centres. Candidates will be provided a feature on the exam to use an online notepad function. Paper and pen/pencils are NOT permitted during the examination. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they fully read the Rules of Conduct attached with your Admission Letter as well as the booking confirmation emails sent from Meazure Learning Inc. Exam Duration Candidates will be allowed a maximum of four (4) hours to complete the examination (unless extra time is granted by the NDAEB to a candidate who has submitted a request for special testing accommodations requiring extra time). There are no scheduled breaks during the exam sitting. Extra time will not be allotted should candidates require the use of the bathroom. During remote proctored exams, additional time will not be provided for the time required for security/visual monitoring checks required by the online proctor.
© 1998 – 2024 National Dental Assisting Examining Board 11 Candidate Handbook for the Written Examination – 2024 Examination Format and Test Blueprint The examination is computer-based and composed of 200 multiple choice items (available in French or English). Many of the items found on the examination are case based (see vignette example later in this handbook). All test items come from the NDAEB test item library. The percentage of items from each of the Domain Description sections that constitutes the test blueprint is noted below. The variation of items encountered on each form of the examination will match the distribution of items as identified in the test blueprint. Test Blueprint Section 1 Ethical and Legal Practice as a Dental Assistant • 5% (approximately) Section 2 Dental Sciences • 7 – 12% Section 3 Clinical Support Procedures • 10 – 15% Section 4 Patient Records • 10 – 12% Section 5 Patient Care Procedures • 40 – 50% Section 6 Practice Management Procedures • 5 – 10% Section 7 Preventive Procedures • 15 – 20% The NDAEB uses the FDI Two - Digit Notation to identify teeth by number. Each patient’s mouth is divided into quadrants: upper-right (Q1), upper-left (Q2), lower-left (Q3) and lower-right (Q4). For more information regarding the FDI World Dental Federation visit their website at www.fdiworldental.org Testing Agency The National Dental Assisting Examining Board has a contractual agreement with Meazure Learning Inc, a thirdparty corporation that is a leader in professional high-stakes certification testing and psychometric services. Among their responsibilities, the company guides the Written Exam Committee in the development of exam items, scores exam results and conducts statistical analyses following examinations to determine passing scores.
© 1998 – 2024 National Dental Assisting Examining Board 12 Candidate Handbook for the Written Examination – 2024 Passing Score The NDAEB uses the modified Angoff standard setting method to set passing scores. This standard setting method requires a panel of judges to review the items (questions) and to render judgment on expected candidate performance on each item. On average, the passing score will vary generally between the low and mid 60s% range, depending on the items (questions) appearing on each test paper. Less difficult forms of the exam tend to have higher passing scores than more difficult exams. As a result, no candidate will be disadvantaged due to having written a more difficult version of the exam. Likewise, no candidate will gain advantage due to having taken a less difficult form of the exam. Key Validation Following each exam sitting, prior to the release of exam results to candidates, the Written Exam Committee (WEC) performs an exercise known as key validation. Key validation involves a statistical performance review of all questions appearing on the examination. Key validation allows the WEC to identify specific questions where a high percentage of candidates answered the same question incorrectly. When this occurs, committee members review the questions and answers to determine if: ✓ the question was marked correctly; ✓ there is potentially more than one acceptable answer to the question; ✓ the question is free from ambiguity; ✓ the candidates failed to answer the question correctly. If key validation indicates that either 1, 2, or 3 above are the reasons for the statistical inconsistency, the question is either remarked accordingly or deleted from the scoring. Examination Results • The contracted psychometricians review electronic examination scores and produce the statistical data required to generate examination results which are then reviewed by the NDAEB. • Candidates will receive an email notification from the NDAEB within six (6) weeks of the writing date advising them that their results have been made available on the Candidate Portal. • Examination results will not be given over the telephone, by email or other electronic means. • Examination results will only be discussed with the candidate in general terms. Candidates requiring detailed information or wishing to appeal must do so in writing. (see Exam Re-Scoring and Appeals section.) • The NDAEB will automatically release the exam results of all candidates, pass or fail, to the Canadian Dental Assisting Regulatory Authority (CDARA) in the province in which the candidates wrote the exam. Other CDARAmay request exam results on individual candidates who did not write the exam in their province. The NDAEB will release pass or fail exam results to any CDARA upon request. The release of exam results to third parties, other than a CDARA, will only be released with the written consent of the candidate. Please refer to NDAEB privacy policy for details. Note: when reviewing the exam results letter, scores are reported in each of the 7 areas of the Domain (refer to the Test Blueprint earlier in this handbook). As each of the 7 Domain areas is weighted differently (more questions in some areas than others) overall scores cannot be determined by totaling the individual Domain area scores and dividing by 7. All exam papers are scored electronically by the testing agency and failure scores reviewed to ensure no error was made before releasing exam results to candidates.
© 1998 – 2024 National Dental Assisting Examining Board 13 Candidate Handbook for the Written Examination – 2024 NDAEB Certificate Release • A diploma or final transcript verifying completion of the dental assisting education program, MUST be provided to the NDAEB office to release the NDAEB Certificate. Along with academic records, candidates must provide their full name, NDAEB ID number, and current mailing address in their correspondence. Photocopies/ scans of diplomas/transcripts must be straight, full-size, of high quality, and submitted in a PDF format. Pictures or scans of documents that are slanted, low quality, or capturing distracting background images will not be accepted and will delay the release of your certificate. NDAEB will NOT release the NDAEB certificate if the Dental assisting program Diploma or Final Transcript is not received. • Candidates granted the NDAEB Certificate after successful completion of the examination and with Diploma or Final Official Transcript on file, can expect to receive their certificate in four-six (4-6) weeks following the release of their exam results. Candidates can expect to receive an email notification for access to a secure digital certificate as well as an original hardcopy. Candidates must contact the NDAEB office as soon as possible should there be an address / name change required to avoid delays and/or additional applicable fees. Candidates are responsible for reviewing their NDAEB profile information. Names must match as on government issued identification (nicknames are not acceptable). Incorrect information provided to the NDAEB may result in a reprint of the NDAEB Certificate and the candidate will be responsible for this additional fee. Examination Re-Writes Candidates who achieve a score below the passing score established for a particular exam may apply to rewrite the exam. The NDAEB encourages unsuccessful candidates to re-write at the next available sitting date. Unsuccessful candidates may seek tutoring help from educational programs; however, the NDAEB assumes no responsibility for assuring that these programs, e.g., NDAEB Exam Preparation Courses, will prepare candidates for a successful examination. Candidates will be permitted three (3) attempts on the NDAEB written examination. Candidates who are unsuccessful following three attempts will be required to retake their entire dental assisting education (which includes successfully completing all theoretical and clinical components) at a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC), or a program eligible through the NDAEB curriculum assessment process, should they wish to rewrite the NDAEB exam. For provincial licensure/ registration purposes, the NDAEB recommends attending a program accredited by CDAC as not all Canadian Dental Assisting Regulatory Authorities (CDARA) will recognize education completed at non-accredited dental assisting programs. Examination Re-Scoring Candidates may submit a request to re-score their examination result. Please be aware that unsuccessful marks have been already reviewed to ensure no error prior to results being released. REQUIREMENTS ✓ Requests for an examination re-score must be received by mail or courier, in writing and signed by the candidate, at the NDAEB office no later than 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on the thirtieth (30th) day after the date on the exam results letter.
© 1998 – 2024 National Dental Assisting Examining Board 14 Candidate Handbook for the Written Examination – 2024 ✓ The re-score fee must accompany the written request for re-scoring. The NDAEB only accepts bank drafts or money orders for such requests. In the event a candidate’s score is reversed through re-scoring making them eligible for NDAEB Certificate without reexamination, the NDAEB will refund the re-scoring fee and will issue the NDAEB certificate where applicable. Re-Scoring Fee: $160.00 Examination Appeals Candidates who sit the NDAEB examination, may appeal their result (please refer to requirements). Requests for an appeal will only be heard if the request is based on one or more of the following grounds for appeal: ✓ Procedural grounds ✓ Environmental grounds ✓ Personal grounds Candidates experiencing any extenuating circumstances beyond their control, outside of those experienced by online remote technical occurrences previously described, should notify the NDAEB office in writing within one (1) week of the examination. Appeals received for any other reason will not be accepted and will not be heard by the Appeals Committee. REQUIREMENTS ✓ A request for appeal of any result score and/or decision, and/or documented personal circumstance, must be received by mail or courier, in writing and signed by the candidate, at the NDAEB office no later than 4:30p.m. Eastern Time on the thirtieth (30th) day following the date appearing on the candidate result letter. ✓ The request for appeal must: o Identify the appealed decision, o State the reasons for appeal, including the basis and evidence of grounds for appeal. ✓ If the appeal is based on personal grounds, the submission must include official medical professional documentation with the full name, office address, telephone number, and signature of the medical professional confirming the nature of the appellant’s condition and whether in their professional opinion the medical condition and/or matter may have impacted the candidate’s performance. ✓ The appeal fee must accompany the written request for appeal. The NDAEB only accepts bank drafts or money orders for such requests. Note: The NDAEB Appeals Committee rules on all appeals. Successful appeals will not result in the issuing of the NDAEB Certificate or a change in the score but may result in a rewrite at no cost to the candidate at the next available exam sitting. In such cases, the exam score in question may be expunged from the candidate’s file. All decisions by the Appeals Committee are final and will not be revisited. Appeal Fee: $210.00
© 1998 – 2024 National Dental Assisting Examining Board 15 Candidate Handbook for the Written Examination – 2024 Test Security The NDAEB maintains strict security of the content of the examination before, during and after the examination. Please refer to the section Rules of Conduct During the Exam in this handbook. All examination materials are protected by copyright ©. Duplication or copying of exam materials in any manner is strictly prohibited. References Subject matter for exam questions is based on the NDAEB Domain Description for Dental Assisting, included in this Candidate Handbook. All exam questions are referenced to one of the publications listed below. The NDAEB does not require candidates to purchase any specific textbook for study purposes. Referenced in no particular order, are the materials used by the NDAEB to validate examination questions: 1. Modern Dental Assisting, 14th Edition, Bird and Robinson (2024), ISBN978-0-323-82440-8 2. Wilkins’ Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist 13th edition (Selection Chapters from Wilkins’ Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist, 13th Edition), Customer Edition, Jones & Bartlett Learning (2020), ISBN: 978-1-28401465-5 3. Dental Assisting: A Comprehensive Approach, 6th Edition ( 2023), ISBN: 9780357709726 4. Canadian Dental Assistants Association (CDAA). (Retrieved 2023). Code of Ethics: https://www.cdaa.ca/da-promotion/code-of-ethics/?lang=en Supplementary Resources: 5. (Retrieved 2023). Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS): https://whmis.org 6. Health Canada. (Retrieved 2023). Radiation Protection in Dentistry – Recommendation Safety Procedures for the Use of Dental X-Ray Equipment – Safety Code 30 (2022): https://www.canada.ca/en/healthcanada/services/environmental-workplace-health/reports-publications/radiation/radiation-protection-dentistryrecommended-safety-procedures-use-dental-equipment-safety-code-30.html
© 1998 – 2024 National Dental Assisting Examining Board 16 Candidate Handbook for the Written Examination – 2024 Exam Preparation Candidates should pay particular attention to preparing for the NDAEB examination. It represents a comprehensive examination of your entire dental assisting educational program. Adequate preparation time and careful planning are the keys to success. The NDAEB exam is based on the Domain Description for Dental Assisting. The Domain Description, in the following section below, is the document that reflects the national standards of practice established for dental assisting in Canada. Not all dental assisting educational programs are exactly alike, therefore, it is recommended that the Domain Description and all Appendices in this handbook be used as the main study guide, along with one of the dental assisting textbooks listed as a reference in this handbook. While course notes may be helpful, using them alone will not adequately prepare you for the NDAEB exam. The NDAEB requires that students complete their in-office practicums before attempting to write the NDAEB examination. The experience gained during in-office placements may be advantageous as you prepare to write the examination. Effective June 1999 this became policy. Candidates who do not prepare adequately may not be successful on the NDAEB examination.
© 1998 – 2024 National Dental Assisting Examining Board 17 Candidate Handbook for the Written Examination – 2024 NDAEB Preparation Test The NDAEB has an online Preparation Test available ONLY for candidates registered for an active exam sitting. Preparation tests are reflective of the national exam and are intended to help candidates prepare and become familiar with the structure of the national board exam. These tests will allow candidates to self-assess their level of preparedness to be successful on their actual exam or address areas or topics that need further review or preparation. The preparation test contains 75 multiple choice questions and will follow the same test blueprint as the true exam. Test questions will be randomized and so no two attempts will be identical, however questions may repeat between attempts as they are randomly selected. These tests are provided by the NDAEB and developed by the same item writing committee that designs questions in the NDAEB’s item bank. Effective January 1, 2024, the first Preparation Test (token) will be free for any candidate registered for the written exam. Two (2) additional tokens will be available for purchase by the candidate through the Candidate Portal. Note: The ability to purchase the Preparation Test will close 48 hours before the 1st day of exam sittings. It is strongly recommend attempting the Preparation Test at least 48 hours before the 1st day of the exams to avoid any technical inconveniences and/or delays. Preparation tests are non-refundable and non-transferrable. Please contact the NDAEB office ([email protected]) for any technical issues with the Preparation Test. You must provide your NDAEB ID and brief explanation of the issue faced. Allow at least 2 business days for a response. For full details, please refer to the tutorial for the Preparation Test on the NDAEB’s website under the document library tab (https://ndaeb.ca/document-library/). Candidates must be prepared to complete the preparation test once it has been launched. When the test is closed or exited, it cannot be reinstated. We recommend candidates use a computer/laptop (and not a smartphone/tablet) as these devices may not be compatible. Please also make sure that to have a stable internet connection. Do NOT use: • The back/forward/exit buttons on browser during the test. Candidate’s score on the Preparation Test will be received immediately upon completion of the test. A pass or fail result will be provided, as well as the overall scores obtained in the seven (7) sections of the test blueprint. While a successful result does not guarantee success on the true exam, it can be a valuable tool in helping candidates prepare for their national board exam. The content of the NDAEB Preparation Test is the property of the NDAEB. The test content is confidential and is NOT to be copied or discussed with any other person or used for any reason other than as an online knowledge practice test. For test item security, candidates will not be provided exam questions and answers after completing the preparation tests. The NDAEB reserves the right to prosecute candidates who copy or distribute our questions and may refuse to grant/or may revoke a certificate for anyone found to have violated our code of conduct. Note that candidates will not be reimbursed or refunded for unused or non-launched preparation tests. The Preparation Test is only available in English at this time; we are working to have this feature available to candidates in both French and English. The NDAEB is in no way affiliated with any external source(s) advertising or offering “NDAEB” sample or prepexams. The ONLY available information regarding the examinations for the National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) in Canada, will be found directly on our website: www.ndaeb.ca. Preparation Test Fee: $75.00 per test (or token)
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