Privacy Notice

The American Dental Association Department of Testing Services (ADA DTS) has instituted the following biometric data privacy policy:

Biometric Data Defined

As used in this policy, “biometric data” includes fingerprints or palm vein scans.

Purpose for Collection of Biometric Data

ADA DTS service providers collect, store, and use biometric data solely for identification of test candidates and other individuals participating in ADA-DTS projects and for test-taking fraud prevention.

Disclosure and Authorization

To the extent that ADA DTS service providers collect, capture, or otherwise obtain biometric data relating to an individual, the ADA DTS must first:

1. Inform the individual in writing that an ADA DTS service provider will collect the individual’s biometric data, and that ADA DTS authorizes its service provider to collect, process and maintain such biometric data;
2. Inform the individual in writing of the specific purpose and length of time for which the individual’s biometric data is being collected, stored, and used; and
3. Receive a written release signed by the individual (or his or her legally authorized representative) authorizing the ADA DTS service provider to collect, store, and use the individual’s biometric data for the specific purposes disclosed by the ADA, and for ADA DTS to so authorize its service provider.

ADA DTS shall not, nor shall it authorize its service providers, to sell, lease, trade, or otherwise profit from individuals’ biometric data; provided, however, that ADA DTS’s service providers may be paid for products or services used by ADA DTS that utilize such biometric data.

Disclosure

ADA DTS will not disclose or disseminate any biometric data, and will not authorize its service providers to disclose or disseminate any biometric data, to anyone without/unless:

1. First obtaining written consent to such disclosure or dissemination;
2. The disclosed data completes a financial transaction requested or authorized by the individual;
3. Disclosure is required by state or federal law or municipal ordinance; or
4. Disclosure is required pursuant to a valid warrant or subpoena issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Retention Schedule

ADA DTS shall retain biometric data only until the first of the following occurs, and shall require that its service providers permanently destroy such data at that time:

1. The initial purpose for collecting or obtaining such biometric data has been satisfied; or
2. Within 3 years of the individual’s last interaction with the ADA.

Data Storage

ADA DTS shall use, and shall require its service providers to use, a reasonable standard of care to store, transmit and protect from disclosure any paper or electronic biometric data collected. Such storage, transmission, and protection from disclosure shall be performed in a manner that is the same as or more protective than the manner in which ADA DTS or the service provider stores, respectively, transmits and protects from disclosure other confidential and sensitive information, such as personal information that can be used to uniquely identify an individual or an individual’s account or property, such as genetic markers, genetic testing information, account numbers, PINs, driver’s license numbers and social security numbers.

The information we collect via this website and certain information collected through ADA.org is used and disclosed to process test applications, report test scores, and for research purposes related to the NBDE and NBDHE. The information may also be used to improve services to you and the content of this website.

For each visitor to this website and to ADA.org, where reasonably possible, our web server automatically recognizes only the user's internet protocol (“IP”) address, but not the email address. Our system can recognize the identity of individuals who sign in using their usernames and passwords.

We collect information such as the internet protocol (IP) address of visitors to our website, aggregate information on what pages users access or visit, user-specific information on what pages users access or visit, and information volunteered by users, including from surveys, purchases and/or registrations. We also may collect the email addresses of those who communicate with us via email.

With respect to cookies: We use cookies for a number of purposes, including to administer our website and ADA.org and to record session information, such as items that users add to their shopping carts and user-specific information on what pages users access or visit. This information may be used to help learn more about site traffic patterns and to improve your experience on the websites.

Advertising on ADA.org may be served through a vendor that uses IP addresses for purposes such as controlling ad frequency.

As part of the NBDE and NBDHE programs, certain personal information may be collected to provide you with services related to those programs and to engage in research. Such personal information may include information such as names, identification numbers, contact information, and academic information. Your contact information may be used to communicate with you regarding testing applications, your testing appointment or score report requests.

With respect to the NBDE program, personal information will also be provided to the NBDE test administrator, Prometric Inc. ("Prometric"), for purposes of identification and admission to the NBDE. Prometric is required to maintain the confidentiality of your personal information; please refer to www.Prometric.com to view Prometric's Privacy Policy.

Regarding the NBDHE program, personal information will also be provided to the NBDHE test administrator, Pearson VUE, for purposes of identification and admission to the NBDHE. Pearson VUE is required to maintain the confidentiality of your personal information; please refer to www.pearsonvue.com/nbdhe to view the Pearson VUE Privacy Policy.

When appropriate, JCNDE research using personally identifiable data is reviewed by an institutional review board to help ensure protection of the rights and welfare of research subjects. Research results include only summary or aggregate data reported in such a way that individuals cannot be identified.

Unless authorized by you and except as provided herein, JCNDE will not give or sell your email address, contact information or other personal information to any third party.

The JCNDE and the ADA may use your personal information to confirm your identity for test administration purposes or in relation to unauthorized use of ADA services, networks or intellectual property. Your personal information may be provided to government agencies or others as necessary to comply with the law or in response to legal or administrative processes such as subpoenas. Your personal information may also be used to give notice to you in relation to any unauthorized use of JCNDE and/or ADA services, networks or intellectual property. In addition, your personal information may be disclosed as permitted by law if such release is deemed necessary to protect the health and safety of customers or others, or to legally protect and JCNDE and/or the ADA, their customers or service providers.

It is important when you wish to exercise your rights that you contact us via any of the means listed in the first section of this Privacy Notice.

While the ADA takes measures to protect your personal information, no security measure or network is entirely secure. Your password to access ADA.org should be complex and should never be shared with anyone, and should be changed from time to time. After you access ADA.org, you should log off and exit your browser so unauthorized persons cannot access the site.

On request, we may provide site visitors with access to the contact information that may be maintained about them (e.g., name, address, phone number, email address and identification numbers).

On request, we may offer visitors the ability to update or correct inaccuracies in contact information or unique identifiers.

You may also contact the JCNDE if you believe your information is being used for purposes other than those for which it was originally collected.

If our Privacy Notice changes at some time in the future we will post the revised notice to our website to notify you and the changes will be effective on the day that we post the revised notice. The latest version of the Privacy Notice will always be available on this website. If you are concerned about how your information may be used, please check back on this Website periodically.

Your comments or questions about our Privacy Notice and privacy practices are welcomed. If you feel that this site is not following its stated notice, please contact us.

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