The Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) administers several standardized tests to evaluate the preparedness of individuals for the study and practice of dentistry and dental hygiene. The purpose of the National Board Examinations is to assist state boards in determining qualifications of dentists and dental hygienists who seek licensure to practice dentistry or dental hygiene. These examinations assess candidates' ability to understand important information from basic biomedical and dental sciences and also the ability to apply such information in a problem-solving context.
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Ensure that students have met minimal required national standards in dental education at appropriate time points in the curriculum.
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Ensure that all graduates of OUCOD are eligible to attain a license to practice dentistry in Oklahoma and other states.
Policy Statement:
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Students must successfully complete Part 1 and Part 2 of NBDE or the INBDE in order to receive a DDS degree.
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A student who fails to pass NBDE Part 2 or the INBDE prior to graduation in May will not receive his/her diploma until he/she successfully passes (see details below).
Scope and Applicability:
Specific dental and dental hygiene licensure requirements vary among jurisdictions, but all jurisdictions have three basic requirements: an educational requirement, a written examination requirement and a clinical examination requirement. You must complete all three to receive a license to practice dentistry.
NBDE-Part I
With the Integrated exam starting in the Spring of 2020, the NBDE Part I has been eliminated. Students who have successfully passed Part I are eligible to take Part II or they can take the INBDE and must pass either of those to receive their diploma.
NBDE-Part II or INBDE
Students must successfully pass NBDE-Part II or the INBDE in order to graduate from the College of Dentistry. Passing Part II is a curriculum requirement, which must be met in order to receive a D.D.S. degree from the College of Dentistry. It is expected that the initial attempt will be completed sometime between the end of summer session of the senior year and the beginning of the spring semester of the senior year.
It is imperative that students sitting for licensing examinations thoroughly understand the requirements, rules, and procedures applicable to the Board examination for which they are sitting. The consequences relative to cancellations or withdrawals, required or otherwise, are the sole responsibility of the student, as are any financial penalties incurred.
