- 2007 Examination Calendar
- Application and Eligibility Requirements
- Examination Content and Scoring
- Application Materials
CRDTS 2007 Dental Examination Calendar
Integrated Examinations - Open to Students of Record ONLY Site Manikin Based (II & III) Patient Based (IV-V) Deadline February 16-17, 2007 August 18, 2006 March 16-18, 2007 September 1, 2006 UN Iowa March 18-20, 2007 September 4, 2006 February 23-24, 2007 September 15, 2006 March 2-4, 2007 September 15, 2006 February 22-23, 2007 September 21, 2006 MCG October 27-28, 2006 April 13-15, 2007 September 21, 2006 Creighton October 27-29, 2006 March 9-11, 2007 September 21, 2006 MUSC November 3-4, 2006 March 16-18, 2007 September 29, 2006
Integrated Examinations - Manikin Retake Examinations - (Parts II & III) - Open to Students of Record ONLY Date Site City / State Deadline December 2, 2006 UN Illinois Chicago, IL October 30, 2006 UN Minnesota Minneapolis, MN October 30, 2006 UN Nebraska Lincoln, NE November 3, 2006 UN Colorado Denver, CO November 3, 2006 Creighton Omaha, NE November 3, 2006 December 18, 2006 UN Iowa Iowa City, IA November 13, 2006 December 18, 2006 Marquette Milwaukee, WI November 13, 2006 January 20, 2007 MUSC Charleston, SC December, 18, 2006 January 27, 2007 MCG Augusta, GA December 22, 2006
Traditional and Retake Examinations - (Parts II-V) Date Site City / State Deadline April 13-15, 2007 UN Minnesota Minneapolis, MN March 9, 2007 UN Nebraska Lincoln, NE March 21, 2007 SIU Alton, IL March 26, 2007 UMKC Kansas City, MO March 26, 2007 UN Illinois Chicago, IL April 13, 2007 May 25-27, 2007 MCG Augusta, GA April 20, 2007 July 13-15 2007 UMkC Kansas City, MO June 8, 2007 July 20-22, 2007 Hawaii Pearl Harbor, HI June 15, 2007 October 18-20, 2007 Colorado University Denver, CO September 7, 2007 December 9-11, 2007 UN Nebraska Lincoln, NE November 5,2007
The Application Deadline is the deadline date Central Office has to receive your application form and examination fee. Exams are on a first-come first-served basis. Please refer to your candidate manual. There are no exceptions to the deadline date. Be sure you have your Applicant Certification Sheet notarized.
Application and Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility: All graduates of dental schools which are accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Accreditation are eligible to take the examination. Also eligible are those candidates from accredited schools who have been certified by their Dean regarding the following: demonstrated sufficient clinical competence, is in good standing, and it is anticipated that all school requirements will have been completed for graduation. Candidates applying for the Traditional Format must meet the above requirements within 90 days of the date of the examination for which application is being made. Candidates applying for the Integrated Format must furnish proof of enrollment as a student of record from an accredited Dental School.
Foreign graduates applying for examination must be authorized to take the examination by at least one state which accepts the results of the CRDTS examination. The results of examination for graduates of foreign dental colleges are received and recognized only by states which allow licensure of such foreign graduates. Therefore, foreign graduates will only be examined by CRDTS when they can show that such results will be received and recognized by one of the states which participates in the CRDTS examination.
Read the entire application form before recording any information. Be accurate and complete. If you do not follow directions, your application may be returned to you. If submitting the application on paper, please print clearly and use blue or black ink.
1. Examination Fee: The examination fee of $1,600. must be paid at the time of application. Applications submitted must include, cashier's check, or money order. No personal checks or credit cards are accepted for payment.
2. Registration Deadline: The registration deadline is 35 days before the date of the examination. This is the date by which CRDTS must have received the application, Application Certification Sheet, and examination fee; it is not a post-marked date. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
3. Refund Policy: Refunds will be made, minus a $200 processing fee, if notification of cancellation is received in the CRDTS Central Office 30 days prior to the first day of the examination. A 50% refund will be made if notification is made at least 6 business days prior to examination. After that time, any cancellations will result in forfeiture of the entire examination fee. In addition, failure to appear for the exam will result in a forfeiture of the entire examination fee. This policy applies to all cancellations, regardless of reason.
4. Choice of Testing Site: Because schools that serve as testing sites make their clinics available to CRDTS, their applicants have the right to reserve a spot before candidates from outside the school are considered. Candidates from outside the school are confirmed to the exam sites on a first come, first served basis. Therefore, not all candidates will be able to be tested at their first choice of testing sites.
Initial Integrated Format Offerings of Parts II, III, IV & V: Manikin and Patient-Based Examinations: The initial offering of the manikin-based examinations administered during the Fall testing period, as well as the initial offering of the patient-based examinations administered during the Spring testing period will be at the dental school at which the applicant is enrolled as a senior dental student. One of the objectives of the Integrated Format is for candidates to take the initial offerings of the manikin-based examinations and the patient-based examinations at their own school. However, in extenuating circumstances, the testing agency may authorize a candidate to take these examinations at an alternate school.
5. Proof of Graduation: Candidates must furnish proof of graduation from an accredited Dental School. If candidates have graduated previous to the present year of testing, they must furnish a certified copy of their diploma or provide a letter on official letterhead from their school of graduation and signed by the Dean of the school verifying their name and date of graduation. If candidates have not already graduated and are taking the examination for the first time, they must present a Letter of Certification (a form provided by CRDTS). The Letter of Certification must be completed by the Dean of the school to verify that the candidate has achieved a sufficient level of competency to take the examination, that all requirements for graduation WILL BE MET and that the candidate will be recommended for graduation. Candidates applying for the Traditional format must meet these requirements within 90 days of the examination and Integrated format candidates must submit the above Letter of Certification verifying they are a senior/graduate dental student of record. Alterations to this letter may result in elimination of the candidate's application.
6. Two (2) 2" x 2" photographs: Candidates applying for the Traditional Format must submit and attach two (2) 2”x2” photographs to their application sheet. Candidates applying for the Integrated Format must submit and attach three (3) 2”x2” photographs to their application sheet. Candidates applying to retest in either format must submit and attach (2) 2”x2” photographs to their application sheet. The photographs MUST BE RECENT and may be in black & white or color.
7. Signature of Candidate and Notary: When candidates apply online, they will have the opportunity to download and print an Applicant Certification Sheet. The Applicant Certification Sheet must be signed by the candidate and dated; a Notary Public must sign, stamp and date the form. Applicant Certification Sheets which are not signed or notarized will be returned to the candidate. This form must be mailed and must be received by CRDTS by the application deadline.
8. Social Security Number: The social security number must be recorded accurately and legibly on the application form. Applications which do not include the social security number will be returned as incomplete. Once the candidate’s application is complete, the social security number will be encoded for security purposes, and a new 9-digit number will be generated that will appear on all the candidate’s examination forms. When the candidate’s examination results are processed, the 9-digit computer number will connect the results back to the candidate’s permanent record.9. Liability Insurance Coverage: Liability insurance is furnished for all candidates participating in the Central Regional Dental Testing Service examinations by CNA through the Professional Protector Plan administered by Brown and Brown, Inc., Tampa, Florida. If candidates prefer not to have their name released to Brown and Brown, Inc., they must notify CRDTS and furnish a copy of their own coverage information.
10. Foreign Graduates: Candidates who graduated from a school outside of the United States and Canada must furnish a letter from the State Dental Board of a state that accepts the results of the CRDTS examination indicating that they are eligible for licensure in that state upon successful completion of the CRDTS examination. In addition, a copy of the candidate’s diploma with an English Translation must be provided.
11. All Candidates Applying for Re-Examination: Photos from previous examination cannot be re-used and therefore new photos are required. If the candidate submitted a Letter of Certification with their most recent examination application, they will need to submit an official or certified copy of their diploma before being allowed to take the examination. If candidates have not received their diplomas, they may include a letter from the school, on official letterhead and signed by the Dean, which includes the candidate’s name and the date of graduation.
12. Proof of Remediation : It is the responsibility of each state or licensing jurisdiction to enforce its own remediation policy. Any candidate applying for re-examination should check with the appropriate State Board regarding its remediation and reexamination requirements. After three or more failures, CRDTS DOES require that the candidate submit documentation from a State which accepts the results of the CRDTS examination verifying that the candidate has completed the remediation requirements for that state, and further that the state will accept the results of the candidate’s re-examination with CRDTS.
Examination Content and Scoring
DENTAL EXAMINATION OVERVIEWExamination Overview: The examination consists of five individual, skill-specific parts: one computer-based, two manikin-based and two patient-based examinations. Each examination is listed below:
Part I: Computer-based Examination
Part II: Manikin-based Endodontics Examination
Part III: Manikin-based Fixed Prosthodontics Examination
Part IV: Patient-based Periodontal Examination
Part V: Patient-based Restorative Examination
CRDTS Status: “CRDTS Status” is achieved when a candidate has successfully completed all five parts to this examination with a score of 75 or more. Candidates achieving “CRDTS Status” enjoy the privilege of being considered eligible for licensure in any of the CRDTS recognizing jurisdictions.OVERVIEW OF CONTENT, CRITERIA & SCORING
CONTENT: PARTS I, II, III, IV & V
PART I: COMPUTER-BASED EXAMINATION - 100 POINTS CONTENT FORMAT 1. Diagnosis, Oral Medicine, Radiology (DOR)
a. Anatomical identification
b. Abnormalities of bone, soft tissue and teeth
c. Identification of systemic conditions
d. Radiology techniques/errors
e. Physical evaluation/laboratory diagnosis
f. Therapeutics- Simulated Patients Presented on a Computer
- DOR: 100 items
- CTP: 80 items
- PPMC: 100 items
- Time: 6.5 hours2. Comprehensive Treatment Planning (CTP)
a. Preventive Dentistry/Periodontics
b. Systemic disease/Medical emergencies/Special care
c. Oral Medicine/Therapeutics
d. Endodontics
e. Orthodontics/Pediatric Dentistry
f. Restorative Dentistry
g. Oral Surgery3. Prosthodontics and Medical Considerations (PPMC)
a. Periodontal Diagnosis
b. Fixed Partial Dentures
c. Removable Partial Dentures
d. Complete Removable Dentures
e. Evaluation of Laboratory Procedures
f. Medical Considerations- Simulated Patients Presented on a Computer
- PPMC: 100 itemsPART II: ENDODONTICS EXAMINATION – 100 POINTS CONTENT FORMAT 1. Endodontic access opening only on tooth #14, a multi-rooted artificial tooth. - Performed on a Manikin
- Time: 3.0 hours2. Endodontic access, canal instrumentation and obturation on tooth #8, single-canal artificial tooth. PART III: FIXED PROSTHODONTICS EXAMINATION – 100 POINTS CONTENT FORMAT 1. Preparation of tooth #28, a multi-layered artificial tooth, for a porcelain fused to;metal crown as one abutment for a 3-unit bridge. (The bridge is not fabricated ;for this examination.) - Performed on a Manikin
- Time: 4.0 hours2. Preparation of tooth #30, a multi-layered artificial tooth, for a cast gold metal ;crown as the other abutment for the same 3-unit bridge. Both preparations ;must be parallel to each other. 3. Preparation of tooth #9, a multi-layered artificial tooth for a full ceramic crown PART IV: PERIODONTAL EXAMINATION - 100 POINTS CONTENT FORMAT Assignment
- Performed on a Patient
- Time: 3.0 hours1. Treatment and Patient Selection 2. Subgingival Calculus Detection Treatment 3. Subgingival Calculus Removal 4. Supragingival Calculus/Plaque/Stain Removal 5. Sulcus/Pocket Depth Measurement 6. Tissue and Treatment Management PART V: RESTORATIVE EXAMINATION - 100 POINTS CONTENT FORMAT 1. Class II Amalgam – Cavity Preparation
- Performed on a Patient
- Time: 6.0 hours2. Class II Amalgam – Restoration 3. Class III Composite – Cavity Preparation 4. Class III Composite Resin - Restoration
SCORING SYSTEM
The examination scoring system was developed in consultation with three different measurement specialists; the scoring system is criterion-referenced and is based on an analytical model. The examination is conjunctive in that its content is divided into five separate Parts containing related skill sets and competence must be demonstrated in each one of the Parts. A compensatory scoring system is used within each Part to compute the final score for each Part, as explained below.
Only State Boards of Dentistry are legally authorized to determine standards of competence for licensure in their respective jurisdictions. However, in developing the examination, CRDTS has recommended a score of 75 to be a demonstration of sufficient competence; and participating State Boards of Dentistry have agreed to accept that standard. In order to achieve “CRDTS status” and be eligible for licensure in a participating state, candidates must achieve a score of 75 or more in each Part of the examination.
PART I: SIMULATED CLINICAL SKILLS EXAMINATION – 100 Points
The Simulated Clinical Skills Examination consists of three Sections: Diagnosis, Oral Medicine and Radiology (DOR); Comprehensive Treatment Planning (CTP); and Periodontics, Prosthodontics and Medical Considerations (PPMC). Scoring is based on the percentage of items answered correctly in all three Sections. A 20-point penalty is deducted from the examination score in the event that two individual Section scores are below 75 or one individual Section score is below 62PARTS II – V: SCORING SYSTEM FOR MANIKIN AND PATIENT-BASED RESTORATIVE PROCEDURES
CRDTS and other testing agencies have worked together on a national level through ADEX to draft and refine the performance criteria for each procedure in this examination. For the majority of those criteria, gradations of competence are described across a 4-level rating scale. Those criteria appear in this manual and are the basis of the scoring system. Those four rating levels may be generally described as follows:SATISFACTORY
The treatment is of good to excellent quality, demonstrating competence in clinical judgment, knowledge and skill. The treatment adheres to accepted mechanical and physiological principles permitting the restoration of the tooth to normal health, form and function.
MINIMALLY ACCEPTABLE
The treatment is of acceptable quality, demonstrating competence in clinical judgment, knowledge and skill to be acceptable; however, slight deviations from the mechanical and physiological principles of the satisfactory level exist which do not damage the patient nor significantly shorten the expected life of the restoration.
MARGINALLY SUBSTANDARD
The treatment is of poor quality, demonstrating a significant degree of incompetence in clinical judgment, knowledge or skill of the mechanical and physiological principles of restorative dentistry, which if left unmodified, will cause damage to the patient or substantially shorten the life of the restoration.
CRITICALLY DEFICIENT
The treatment is of unacceptable quality, demonstrating critical areas of incompetence in clinical judgment, knowledge or skill of the mechanical and physiological principles of restorative dentistry. The tooth must be temporized, or the treatment plan must be altered and additional care provided in order to sustain the function of the tooth and the patient’s oral health and well-being.In Parts II, III and V, a rating is assigned for each criterion in every procedure by three different examiners evaluating independently. Based on the level at which a criterion is rated by at least two of the three examiners, points may be awarded to the candidate. In any instance that none of the three examiners’ ratings are in agreement, the median score is assigned. However, if any criterion is assigned a rating of critically deficient by two or more of the examiners, no points are awarded for that procedure or for the Examination Part, even though other criteria within that procedure may have been rated as satisfactory. A description of Parts II, III and V and the number of criteria that are evaluated for the procedures in each of those Parts appears below:
Part II: ENDODONTICS EXAMINATION – 100 Points
The Endodontics Examination is a manikin-based examination which consists of two procedures: an access opening on an artificial posterior tooth and an access opening, canal instrumentation and obturation on an artificial anterior tooth.
Anterior Endodontics 12 Criteria
Posterior Endodontics 6 CriteriaPart III: FIXED PROSTHODONTICS – 100 Points
The Prosthodontics Examination is a manikin-based examination which consists of three procedures completed on laminated artificial teeth: a cast gold crown preparation as a terminal abutment for a 3-unit bridge, a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown preparation as an abutment for a bridge, plus an evaluation of the line of draw for the bridge abutment preparations, and an all ceramic crown preparation on an anterior central incisor.
Cast Gold Crown 15 Criteria
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crown Preparation 14 Criteria
Ceramic Crown Preparation 14 Criteria
Part V: RESTORATIVE EXAMINATION – 100 Points
The patient-based Restorative Clinical Examination consists of four procedures as specified below:
Class II Amalgam Preparation 16 Criteria
Amalgam Finished Restoration 9 Criteria
Class III Composite Preparation 12 Criteria
Composite Finished Restoration 10 Criteria
To compute the score for each individual procedure, the number of points the candidate has earned for each criterion is totaled, divided by the maximum number of possible points for that procedure and the results are multiplied by 100. This computation converts scores for each procedure to a basis of 100 points. For instance, if the candidate accumulated 70 out of 85 possible points on the amalgam preparation, the score for that procedure would be computed as [100(70/85)=82.35]. Any penalties that may have been assessed during the treatment process are deducted from the score for the procedure after the score has been converted to a basis of 100 points.If no critical deficiency has been confirmed by the examiners, the total score for each of Parts II, III and V is computed by adding the number of points that the candidate has earned across all procedures in that Part, and that sum is divided by the number of possible points for all procedures in that Part. If a critical deficiency has been confirmed by the examiners, an automatic failure is recorded for both the procedure and the Examination Part. An example for computing scores that include no critical deficiency is shown below for Part V:
PROCEDURE # CRITERIA POINTS
EARNEDPOINTS
POSSIBLECOMPUTED
SCOREClass II Amalgam Preparation 16 Criteria 65 80 81.25 Amalgam Finished Restoration 9 Criteria 32 45 71.11 Class III Composite Preparation 12 Criteria 45 60 75.00 Composite Finished Restoration 10 Criteria 40 50 80.00 TOTALS for PART V 47 Criteria 182 235 77.45 Although there are three Parts that are scored separately for restorative clinical skills, within each Part a compensatory system is used to compute the final score for that Part, as long as there is no critical deficiency. The computed score for each procedure is not averaged, but instead is numerically weighted by the ratio of its number of scorable criteria to the total number of scorable criteria in the Part. For example, the Class II Amalgam Preparation has a total of 16 scorable criteria which represents 80 possible points (or 34%) out of the total of 235 possible points for Part V. As shown in the example above, the candidate earned 182 out of 235 possible points for the four procedures in Part V for a final score of 77.45 points. If any penalties were assessed, the points would be deducted from the final score of 77.45 for Part V.
PART IV: PERIODONTAL EXAMINATION – 100 Points
For the patient-based Periodontal Examination, the candidate must submit a treatment selection containing at least six and no more than eight teeth that exhibit exactly twelve surfaces of explorer-detectable subgingival calculus and at least three teeth with a periodontal pocket of 4-6 mm in depth. The candidate is evaluated on the accuracy of calculus detection and removal on the twelve selected surfaces, the accurate measurement of six pocket depths on each of two assigned teeth, one anterior and one posterior, removal of plaque or stain, and tissue management. The Periodontal examination is evaluated and scored on a surface-by-surface basis. Points are assigned as follows:
Treatment Selection: Penalty points are assessed for those areas that do not meet the described criteria for case acceptance
.
Calculus Detection and Removal: 78 Points—The candidate is awarded a total of 6.5 points for each surface of subgingival calculus that is correctly detected and removed. With the 12 surfaces of subgingival calculus that are required to qualify a patient, there are a total of 78 points for Calculus Detection and Removal. If at least two examiners cannot confirm the presence of subgingival calculus on a surface where the candidate has identified it, 6.5 points are deducted for calculus detection; and, of course, no points will be awarded for removal. If, after treatment, subgingival calculus remains on a surface that was selected for treatment by the candidate, 6.5 points are deducted .Regardless of whether the errors are calculus detection or removal, only 6.5 points are deducted.
Periodontal Measurements: 12 Points—one point for each of six measurements on two teeth.
Plaque/Stain Removal: 6 Points—one point for each of the first 6 teeth selected in ascending or descending order
.
Treatment Management: 4 Points—for pain control and tissue management that meets the described criteria.
PENALTY DEDUCTIONS Throughout the examination, not only clinical performance will be evaluated, but also the candidate’s professional demeanor will be evaluated by Clinic Floor Examiners. A number of consi¬derations will weigh in determining the candidate's final grades and penalties may be assessed for violation of examination standards, as defined within this manual, or for certain procedural errors as described below: 1. Any of the following may result in a deduction of points from the score in any of the clinical procedures:
(2) Poor Professional Demeanor--unkempt, unclean, or unprofessional appearance; inconside¬rate or uncooperative
with other candidates,examiners or testing site personnel;
(3) Poor Patient Management--disregard for patient welfare or comfort;
(4) Improper management of significant history or pathosis;
(5) Inappropriate request for extension or modification;
(6) Unsatisfactory completion of required modifications;
(7) Improper Operator/Patient/Manikin position;
(8) Improper record keeping;
(9) Improper treatment selection;
(10) Improper liner placement;
(11) Inadequate isolation;
(12) Temporization or failure to complete a finished restoration;
(13) Administration of anesthesia before approval of tooth selec¬tion by examiners;
(14) Violation of Examination Standards, Rules or Guidelines will result in a loss of points for the procedure in process at the time of the violation;
(15) Unavoidable mechanical exposure which is poorly managed or irreparable.
(16) Treatment of teeth or surfaces other than those approved or assigned by examiners will re¬sult in a voided score for the examination Part.
(17) Gross damage to an adjacent tooth will result in a voided score for the examination Part
2. The following infractions will result in a deduction of points from the score of the entire examination:
(2) Unjustified mechanical exposure (an irreparable exposure will result in a grade of zero for the entire restorative portion of the examination);
The penalties or deficiencies listed above do not imply limitations, since obviously some procedures will be classified as unsatisfactory for other reasons, or for a combination of several deficiencies. If any restorative procedure is unacceptable for completion during the examination, the tooth must be temporized, the patient must be adequately informed, and a "Follow-up Form" must be completed.Professional Conduct – All substantiated evidence of falsification or intentional misrepresentation of application requirements, collusion, dishonesty, or use of unwarranted assistance during the course of the examination shall automatically result in failure of the entire examination by any candidate. In addition, there will be no refund of examination fees and that candidate cannot apply for re-examination for one full year from the time of the infraction. Any of the following will result in failure of the entire examination:
• Cheating (Candidate will be dismissed immediately);
• Any candidate demonstrating complete disregard for the oral structures, welfare of the patient and/or complete lack of skill and dexterity to perform the required clinical procedures.
• Misappropriation of equipment (theft);
• Receiving unwarranted assistance;
• Alteration of examination records and/or radiographs
Application Material (Adobe Acrobat Format)
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