Having triumphed over the NBDHE, I’m excited to share my roadmap and tips. It’s more than knowledge—it’s strategy, preparation, and mindset. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the essential processes, steps and strategies to conquer this milestone in your career journey. Join me on this journey to unlocking your potential and pass this exam, the gateway to your Dental Hygienist Licensure!
The NBDHE is the first exam taken to pursue the dental hygienist licensure in the United States and it’s administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE). The exam is designed to assess the competency of dental hygienist candidates in various areas related to dental hygiene practice. Subjects covered on this exam are contained in broad topics include Scientific Basis for Dental Hygiene Practice, Provision of Clinical Dental Hygiene Services, Community Health/Research Principles and Dental Hygiene Professional Practice.
Application process
To obtain the Dental Personal Identifier Number (DENTPIN), visit their website at https://www.ada.org/ and create your account. Once created, you will receive a number a unique identification number used by dental professionals for various purposes. It is required to apply for dental education programs, application services, and tests, as well as to request score reports. When you have a DENTPIN account, dental professionals can access important information, login to relevant platforms, and utilize testing services provided by the ADA. It helps streamline administrative processes and ensures accurate identification and record-keeping within the dental community.
DENTPIN account
Once the account is setup you can choose the exam and you will direct to pay the examination fee, but you can pay it when you are ready to do so. The fee cost is approximately 1,000 USD and it can sligthly change every year. There may be additional fees for foreign dentists, so be prepared for it. After a couple of days, you will receive an email letting you know that you are eligible for the exam along with instructions on how to schedule the test.
Schedule exam with pearson vue
Visit Pearson Vue website at https://home.pearsonvue.com/nbdhe/ to create an account and schedule your NBDHE. Pearson Vue is a testing center where you will take your exam. It is located all over the country. In this site, you are given different locations where you can take your exam. Find the one nearest to you. They also give you the available testing time on the site.
On the website, you will find a check list of all documents and instructions necessary prior to scheduling your appointment. With everything set, you can search for a location closest to you and time preferred. Sometimes, the location you want may not have a seat available. If you want to take the test immediately, you can schedule the exam in different locations, but be prepared to travel with your region or to another state.
Study plan
Preparing for your NBDHE exam requires careful planning and focused study. Get a copy and read carefully the NBDHE Candidate Guide file. Pay close attention to the eligibility requirements, rules of conduct, examination fees and regulations, and the testing center information. It helps you understand what you need to study and to expect on exam day.
Take notes and it also includes writing down numbers of topics and sections. After, plan your study plan by figuring out how much time (3, 6 months,1 year…) it will take you to study all the subjects and know the basic concepts, according to your personal life circumstance and routine. The schedule you create should be reasonable and doable so PLEASE be honest and generous with yourself here.
Create a study calender for days or weeks you will study each subject. The calender should have only the days you will be able to study. Now, figure out how many hours per study day you need to be able to cover the subjects based on the days or weeks you plan to complete them. There are some topics that are longer and/or more difficult than the other, so take that in consideration when you do your study plan. Make sure you include regular breaks for rest and relaxation.
Study style
Are you a visual, auditory, kinesthetic, verbal or logical learner? Do you like to study alone or in a group? Identify the study style that suits you better. You will research reliable study materials resources such as textbooks, online exam review courses, practice exams videos and other online study guides. Choose 3-5 materials resources according to your studying style.
When you finish a topic, quiz yourself. Do not move to the next subject until you score at least 85-90%. If you are struggling with understanding certain topics, find the explanations on YouTube channels to complement your comprehension, if your native language is not English, study in your native language then study the material. Adjust your schedule if necessary. Remember, when you change a due date to cover a topic, you may have to redo your study plan to reflect the new dates. After you complete studying a topic, review it periodically so you don’t forget what you learned. I recommend scheduling the NBDHE exam only if you are about 80-95% ready for the exam. When you finish studying all the topics, save at least two weeks to a month to review and quiz yourself in all the subjects before exam day.
Weeks before the exam
Two to four weeks before the NBDHE, you should focus on practicing and quizzing yourself with sample questions. Find different types of sample questions and use them as much as you can to get acquainted with the types of questions you may encounter on the NBDHE. This will help you gauge your knowledge and identify areas that need further improvement. To simulate exam conditions, you will quiz yourself, timing yourself and practicing in a quiet environment. This will help you build endurance and familiarize yourself with the time constraints. As you identify your weak areas, seek additional resources or guidance to address any knowledge gaps. Plan yourself to allow one to two days before the test to rest, and mentally and physically re energize yourself.
Dental Hygienist Board Exam
Structure of the exam
The NBDHE takes approximately 8 hours and consists of 350 multiple-choice questions. The exam has two parts. Part A focuses on the scientific basis for dental hygiene practice and includes 200 multiple-choice questions. Part B covers the clinical dental hygiene practice and contains 150 questions. You are allowed to take 15–30-minute breaks if you want to. I strongly recommend taking breaks. Use the break and go for a little walk, it helps refreshing your mind. Bring snacks and a bottle of water to eat/drink during the break time.
The day of exam
Be on time. Get to the exam location at least 30 minutes to an hour early. This way, you will have time to familiarize yourself with the site and get through the check-in and identity verification process. After the check-in process is finalized, you will be assigned a locker and receive a key to lock your belongings. Once you enter the exam room, you cannot bring things with you. Do not worry; they will give you a pencil and draft paper to take notes during the exam.
They will direct you to a computer. When you start the exam, read and understand all the instructions and rules. The timing will be on the computer screen, so you know what time you have remaining to complete the part you are taking. The computer system has features that allow you to mark questions that you can return later to or didn’t answer. First, finish all the questions you know the answers, and use mark feature to mark questions you don’t know or are unsure to answer them later. This way, you will be able to use your time wisely. You will have approximately one minute per question; you must keep time in mind so you don’t leave questions unanswered due to time. Also, allow yourself to review your answers and check if any questions need to be answered before submitting the exam. Once submitted, there is no way back.
The test result
You will receive your result between 2- 4 weeks. Some examiners received it in 2 weeks and a half. I hope you pass, and if you do. Congratulations, and you are ready for the next step. But if you don’t, don’t be discouraged. Go through your exam result report, note where to study more, and prepare yourself. Take as much time as you need to feel prepared; once you are confident with everything you need to study, retake the exam.
Once you pass NBDHE, you will have three exams to complete. You have Florida Laws and Rules and ADEX Dental Hygiene Examinations. The ADEX consists of two parts: CSCE or Computer Simulated Clinical Exam and Clinical exam with Patient or on Manikin. At this point, it does not matter which exam you take first.
Study Materials
There are inumerous study materials available, some are free and other are not. You should review them to check the credibitily and quality before adding to your study list of materials. Below you will find few of the most used by the dental community.
On the free resources categories, there YouTube channel such as ninja nerd and mental dental, and study sets on quizlet.com https://quizlet.com/search?query=NBDHE&type=sets&useOriginal= Some Facebook group page have files of individuals you already pass the test and share books and notes PDF files, and quizzes with questions and answers. Additionally, there are study groups in whatsApp and Telegram that you can research and join.
For the paid resources, there are online preparation course as StudentRDH, AndyRDH’s Dental Hygiene Academy. Both courses have different packages and the later also has study seminars through the country that you can attend in person. To quiz yourself, Andy RDH and Dental Hygiene Mastery have apps you can download into you smartphone to practice. In case you want to add books to your study list materials, the Darby’s Comprehensive Review of Dental Hygiene 9th Edition by Christine M Blue BSDH and Mosby’s Comprehensive Review of Dental Hygiene 7th Edition (MOSBY’S COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF DENTAL HYGIENE ( DARBY)) by Michele Leonardi Darby are great choices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, embarking on the journey to pass the NBDHE requires dedication, strategy, and a steadfast mindset. By following the roadmap and tips shared here, you’re equipped to conquer this pivotal milestone on your path to becoming a licensed dental hygienist. Remember, the NBDHE is just the beginning; it opens doors to further exams and professional growth. Stay focused, utilize available study materials, and believe in your abilities. With determination and persistence, you’ll navigate through the challenges and emerge victorious. Your success in the NBDHE is within reach—seize the opportunity and let your journey toward licensure flourish.