Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations | Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations

Upholding quality oral care for all

The Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) is the agency responsible for the development and administration of the National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE). This 16-member Commission includes representatives from dental schools, dental practice, dental examining boards, dental hygiene, dental students and the public.

JCNDE Mission:
Protecting public health through valid, reliable and fair assessments of knowledge, skills, and abilities to inform decisions that help ensure safe and effective patient care by qualified oral healthcare team members.

JCNDE Vision:
The JCNDE is the nation’s leading resource for supporting standards of oral healthcare professionals through valid, reliable and fair assessments.

INBDE

Get details on the Integrated National Board Dental Examination.

DHLOSCE

The Dental Hygiene Licensure Objective Structured Clinical Examination will launch in 2024.

DLOSCE

Learn more about the Dental Licensure Objective Structured Clinical Examination.

NBDHE

Find information on the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.

Manage your DENTPIN

Manage the personal identification number used for national dental licensure examinations.

News and resources from JCNDE

Dental Hygiene Practice Analysis Survey

In 2023, the JCNDE will conduct a dental hygiene practice analysis. The purpose of the practice analysis will be to obtain up-to-date information regarding the tasks dental hygienists perform, the patient considerations they encounter in practice, and the settings in which they work. This information will help the JCNDE evaluate the existing content specifications for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and Dental Hygiene Licensure Objective Structured Clinical Examination (DHLOSCE).

The dental hygiene practice analysis will involve the administration of a survey to a large, nationally representative sample of dental hygienists. The JCNDE is now soliciting feedback from communities of interest regarding the clarity and comprehensiveness of the content that will appear on the practice analysis survey. The JCNDE invites you to provide your input by completing this survey.

The period of public comment and opportunity to take the survey will end on August 31, 2023. We ask that you please provide your feedback prior to that date.

Take the Survey

Recent and Forthcoming Updates

Review information on the 2023 JCNDE Update to the ADEA Section on Dental Hygiene Education (PDF).

Download and review the Recent and Forthcoming Updates to Examinations and Tests (PDF) as you prepare for you examination.

State Dental Board Forum Presentation and Recording

The Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) held its annual forum for boards of dentistry and dental hygiene, to facilitate open communication and share information about the JCNDE’s National Board Examinations.

Listen to the recording

Download the presentation

Access the DTS Hub

The Department of Testing Services (DTS) Hub is a platform for schools and boards to approve examination applications and view scores. Schools and boards can log in below with an account ID and password.

Visit the DTS Hub now

Get your National Board certificate

If you have completed a National Board Dental Examination and would like to purchase an official National Board certificate, log in here.

Purchase certificate

Serve as a volunteer test constructor

The JCNDE actively seeks volunteers who can contribute to the accuracy and fairness of national dental examinations by serving as volunteer test constructors. If you would like to help shape test questions for future examinees, get in touch with us.

Apply now

Webinars for national dental examinations

These free webinars are provided for dental professionals planning to take national licensure examinations, as well as others interested in examination purpose and governance, administration, scoring and score reporting, content and more.

The Dental Licensure and Dental Hygiene Licensure Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (DLOSCE, DHLOSCE)

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The National Board Dental and Dental Hygiene Examinations (INBDE, NBDE II, NBDHE)

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Unofficial reports from JCNDE annual meetings

The JCNDE meets once each year. The most recent meeting was held June 28, 2023. Here are unofficial reports of actions taken at recent meetings:

June 2023 meeting (PDF)

June 2022 meeting (PDF)

June 2021 meeting (PDF)

June 2020 meeting (PDF)

Technical Reports about examinations

The following technical reports provide detailed information related to areas such as examination history, administration, the rights and responsibilities of candidates, and the failure rates of candidates. Additionally, the technical report provides background information that allows the reader the opportunity to understand the history and processes that have led the examination program to its present state.

Image Portal

Submit images, supplemental case information and learn about parameters and preferred views for photos.

Get info