About the JCNDE

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 18-member Commission includes representatives from dental schools, dental practice, state dental examining boards, dental hygiene, dental students, and the public.

The Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) was developed by the Committee for an Integrated Examination (CIE), a special committee of the JCNDE.  The INBDE began administration in 2020 replacing the NBDE Part I and it will replace the Part II in 2022. The Joint Commission provided state dental boards with four years’ notice of the new examination in May 2016.

JCNDE History and Chairs

History of the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations
The JCNDE formed in 1980, and succeeded the Council on National Board Examinations. Previously the American Dental Association’s National Board of Dental Examiners was the standing committee established in 1928 to provide and conduct written examinations for use in state board licensure.

For additional information, please see the National Board Examinations’ technical reports. They can be found on the JCNDE website under News/Resources.

Previous chairs and vice chairs of the Joint Commission from its formation to the present are provided below. 

Chairs and Vice Chairs of the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations 1979-2020

Chairs	Vice Chairs
2019-20 — Dr. Cataldo Leone	Dr. Kanthasamy Ragunanthan
2018-19 — Dr. William Robinson	Dr. Cataldo Leone
2017-18 — Dr. Lisa Heinrich-Null	Dr. William Robinson
2016-17 — Dr. Frank William Licari	Dr. Lisa Heinrich-Null
2015-16 — Dr. Luis J. Fujimoto	Dr. Marc E. Levitan
2014-15 — Dr. Robert A. Hersh	Dr. M.H. Reggie VanderVeen
2013-142— Dr. Connie Drisko and Dr. LeeAnn Podruch	Dr. LeeAnn Podruch
2012-13 — Dr. Guy Shampaine	Dr. Lorin D. Peterson
2011-12 — Dr. Peter Trager	Dr. J. Stephen Sill
2010-11 — Dr. Andrew Spielman	Dr. George D. Conrad
2009-10 — Dr. Bruce D. Horn	Dr. Stephen T. Radack
2008-09 — Dr. Ron J. Seeley	Dr. Mark Christensen
2007-08 — Dr. Marsha A. Pyle	Dr. Eva Ackley
2006-07 — Dr. Darlene Sand Wall	Dr. Charles Shuler
2005-06 — Dr. Gerald W. McClellan	Dr. Roger H. Boltz
2004-05 — Dr. R. Lamont MacNeil	Dr. Eleanore Awadalla
2003-04 — Dr. Stephan Holcomb	Dr. Victor Sandoval
2002-03 — Dr. Allen Hindin	Dr. John M. Berwind
2001-02 — Dr. Stephen K. Young	Dr. Constantine Stamatelakys
2000-01 — Dr. Marvin B. Dvorak	Dr. Stanford L. Lefcoe
1999-00 — Dr. W. Lynn Campbell	Dr. Robert Pattalochi
1998-99 — Dr. Kenneth L. Kalkwarf	Dr. Carol Williamson
1997-98 — Dr. Dan Ray Clagett	Dr. Sanford Franklin
1996-97 — Dr. John D. Wilbanks	Dr. James R. Cole II
1995-96 — Dr. Donald W. Legler	Dr. Martin H. Zais
1994-95 — Dr. Reuben E. V. Miller	Dr. James H. Revere
1993-94 — Dr. Lynn Fujimoto	Dr. Richard J. Chichetti
1992-93 — Dr. Michael J. Reed	Dr. Edward C. Carlson
1991-92 — Dr. Randolph D. Minatra	Dr. Richard P. Elzay
1990-91 — Dr. Joseph W. Looper	Dr. Lillian H. Bachman
1989-90 — Dr. Lawrence I. Goldblatt	Dr. Mark J. Piacine
1988-89 — Dr. O.R. Nutter	Dr. Robert C.  Weber
1986-87 — Dr. Merrill W. Packer	Dr. Marvin K. Rubin
1985-86 — Dr. Leo V. Bongers	Dr. Merrill W. Packer
1984-85 — Dr. Charles E. Wilson	Dr. Leo V. Bongers
1983-84 — Dr. Robert Biddington	Dr. Charles E. Wilson
1982-83 — Dr. Robert Biddington	Dr. Charles E. Wilson
1981-82 — Dr. James R. Little	Dr. W. Robert Biddington
1980-81 — Dr. James R. Little	Dr. W. Robert Biddington
1979-801 — Dr. William F. Lovett

¹The Commission on National Dental Examinations replaced the ADA Council on National Board Examinations in October 1979 and officially became the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations in 1980. Dr. William F. Lovett was chairman during the transition.

²Dr. Drisko passed away on June 22, 2014; Dr. Podruch was subsequently appointed chair and served the remainder of the term.