By-Laws and Policies

for Examinations and

Assessments

Table of Contents
By-laws regarding examinations and assessments ................................................................................. 3
II Certification ..............................................................................................................................3
8.00

Certification Eligibility ........................................................................................................3

9.00

The Boards Certification Process .......................................................................................5

10.00

The Boards Equivalency Process ....................................................................................6

11.00

The Dental Specialty Core Knowledge Examination .........................................................6

12.00

The Board/Royal College of Dentists of Canada Certificate ...............................................6

III Examinations/Assessments .......................................................................................................7

13.00 Written Examination ............................................................................................................7
14.00 Objective Structured Clinical Examination .............................................................................7
15.00 Repeating Written Examination and Objective Structured Clinical Examination ........................8
16.00 Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge ...............................................................................9
17.00 Assessment of Clinical Skills .................................................................................................9
18.00 Assessment of Clinical Judgement ...................................................................................... 10
19.00 Dental Specialty Core Knowledge Examination (DSCKE) ...................................................... 10
20.00 Conduct ........................................................................................................................... 11
21.00 Appeals of the Written Examination, the Objective Structured Clinical Examination, the
Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge, the Assessment of Clinical Judgement and the Dental
Specialty Core Knowledge Examination ........................................................................................ 12
22.00 Appeals of the Assessment of Clinical Skills ......................................................................... 12
23.00 Petitions ........................................................................................................................... 13
24.00 Compassionate Appeal ...................................................................................................... 14
IV - Interpretation ......................................................................................................................... 14
25.00 Interpretation ................................................................................................................... 14
Assessment of Clinical Skills Appeal Process .................................................................................... 15
Compassionate Appeal process ....................................................................................................... 18
NDEB Examination and Assessment Policies ........................................................................................ 19
Dates and locations ....................................................................................................................... 19
Fees ............................................................................................................................................. 19
Results .......................................................................................................................................... 20
Other ............................................................................................................................................ 20

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By-laws regarding examinations and assessments

II Certification
8.00 Certification Eligibility
8.01

For the purposes of Sections II, III and IV and Appendices attached to these By-laws,
Board means the National Dental Examining Board of Canada;
Accredited Program means an undergraduate dental program offered by a university dental
institution recognized through an accreditation process approved by the Board or a mutual
recognition agreement approved by the Board;
Advanced Education in General Dentistry Program or General Practice Residency Program
means a post graduate dental program approved through accreditation established by the Board
with reference to the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association;
Assessment means one or more examinations established by the Board as part of the Board
Equivalency Process described in By-laws 10.00 to 10.04;
Board Equivalency Process means an Assessment process established by the Board (see Bylaws 10.00 to 10.04) to determine whether a person who has graduated from a non-Accredited
Program is equivalent to a graduate of an Accredited Program;
Certificate means the certificate of qualification in the form prescribed by the Board and issued
by the Board pursuant to an Act to Incorporate the National Dental Examining Board of Canada
(1952), 1 Elizabeth II, Chapter 69, as amended by (1973) 21-22 Elizabeth II, Chapter 55;
Dental Residency Program means a post graduate dental program approved through
accreditation established by the Board with reference to the Commission on Dental Accreditation
of Canada;
Dental Specialty Core Knowledge Examination means an examination used to facilitate the
admission process for entry into Dental Specialty Assessment and Training Programs (DSATP)
offered by some Canadian Faculties of Dentistry;
Examination means both the Written Examination and the Objective Structured Clinical
Examination;
Examiner means a person who is appointed by the Board to develop, construct, validate,
administer and evaluate all of the Examinations and Assessments offered by the Board;
Graduate of an Accredited Program means a person who has graduated from an Accredited
Program or who has successfully completed the Board Equivalency Process as described in Bylaws 10.00 to 10.04;
Non-Accredited Program means an undergraduate dental program offered by a university
dental institution that has not been recognized through an accreditation process approved by the
Board or a mutual recognition agreement approved by the Board;
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OSCE means the Objective Structured Clinical Examination set by the Board and described in
By-laws 14.00 to 14.05;
Qualifying Program means a Qualifying or Degree Completion Program for graduates of nonaccredited university-based undergraduate dental programs recognized through an accreditation
process approved by the Board or a mutual recognition agreement approved by the Board;
Written Examination means the Written Examination set by the Board and described in By-laws
13.00 to 13.05.
8.02

For the purposes of these By-laws, Candidate for Board certification means a person who has
applied to the Board and who has demonstrated that they are:
A.

a person who is a graduate of an Accredited Program and not more than sixty (60) months
has elapsed since the date of graduation;

B.

a person who is a graduate of a Non-Accredited Program and who has successfully

completed a Qualifying Program and not more than sixty (60) months has elapsed since the
date of such successful completion of a Qualifying Program;

C.

a person who is a graduate of a Non-Accredited Program and who has successfully

completed the Board Equivalency Process and not more than sixty (60) months has elapsed
since the date of such successful completion of the Board Equivalency Process;

D.

a person who has failed either the Written Examination or OSCE three (3) times and has
successfully completed the requirements described in By-law 15.02; or

E.

a person, for the purpose of taking the Written Examination and OSCE described in By-laws
13.00 to 13.05 and 14.00 to 14.05, who is within three (3) months of his or her expected
graduation from an Accredited Program, or a Qualifying Program.

8.03

Persons who are more than sixty (60) months from the date of their graduation from an
Accredited Program or successful completion of a Qualifying Program respectively, may apply to
the Board for special consideration to be a Candidate. Such applications will be considered on an
individual basis and the determination of the Board, or the Executive Committee acting for the
Board, will be based upon the circumstances applicable to each individual applicant.

8.04

A person ceases to become a Candidate if they have not successfully completed the Written
Examination and OSCE within sixty (60) months of the date of their graduation and must apply
for special consideration as described in By-law 8.03.

8.05

Persons described in By-law 8.02 E will be required to provide the Board with written
documentation from the Dean of the Accredited Program or Qualifying Program in which they are
enrolled confirming their status of being within three (3) months of expected graduation or
successful completion of the programs on the date established for the Examinations.

8.06

A person shall be ineligible to be a Candidate,

A. if the persons licence to practise dentistry, issued by any Dental Licensing/Regulatory
Authority, has been and/or is suspended or cancelled, or if the person is on probation within
any licensing jurisdiction, or
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B. if the person has had their certificate cancelled or revoked pursuant to By-law 9.07.

9.00 The Boards Certification Process

9.01

Persons who are Candidates under By-laws 8.02A, 8.02B, 8.02C, 8.02D, 8.02E or 8.03 shall be
granted a Certificate upon presentation of the following documentation:
A.

Proper application to the Board which includes, if applicable, providing evidence to the
satisfaction of the Board that the Candidate is considered in good standing with all Dental
Licensing/Regulatory Authorities in all jurisdictions in which the Candidate has been or is
currently registered or licensed;

B.

Evidence to the satisfaction of the Board, of graduation from an Accredited Program,

successful completion of a Qualifying Program or successful completion of the Board
Equivalency Process; and

C.

Evidence to the satisfaction of the Board that the person has passed the Written
Examination described in By-laws 13.00 to 13.05 and the OSCE described in By-laws 14.00
to 14.05.

9.02

Persons who pass the Written Examination and OSCE within three (3) months of their expected
graduation from an Accredited Program or completion of a Qualifying Program and who do not
subsequently graduate from an Accredited Program or who do not complete a Qualifying
Program in the same year, will have their Written Examination and OSCE results held valid for
eighteen (18) months from the date of successful completion of the Written Examination and
OSCE. Such Candidates will be granted a Certificate if they graduate from an Accredited Program
or if they successfully complete a Qualifying Program within this eighteen (18) month period. If
a person passes the Written Examination and/or OSCE but does not graduate within eighteen
(18) months they must successfully complete the Written Examination and OSCE after they have
graduated.

9.03

Persons who pass either the Written Examination or OSCE but fail or do not complete the other
Examination will have their pass result held valid for eighteen (18) months from the date of
successful completion of the Written Examination or OSCE.

9.04

A person who has presented all of the documentation required in By-law 9.01 will be considered
to have met the standards of the Board and qualified for certification and shall be entitled to
receive a Certificate. Such persons shall have their name entered in the NDEB Register.

9.05

The Board shall determine the format of a single type of Certificate to be issued to successful
Candidates. The Certificate shall be signed by the President or Vice-President/Treasurer and the
Registrar and shall bear the corporate seal of the Corporation.

9.06

A person who has been granted a Certificate may not retake a Board Examination unless
requested to do so by a Provincial Dental Regulatory Authority. Persons taking a Board
Examination or Assessment at the request of a Provincial Dental Regulatory Authority are not
NDEB candidates and shall not be issued a Certificate.

9.07

The Board shall immediately cancel and revoke a Certificate granted to a person who has:
A.

engaged in fraud, dishonesty or other misconduct in connection with the process or conduct
of a Board Examination or Assessment,

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B.

not disclosed to the Board that their licence to practice dentistry, issued by any
Dental/Regulatory Licensing Authority, was suspended or cancelled prior to the Board
granting such Certificate,

C.

reconstructed through memorization, recollection or any manner of processing and reported

or published the exact wording or the substance of the wording of questions used in Board
Examinations or Assessments for the purpose of the person or any other person or entity
preparing or assisting a candidate or participant to take the Board Examinations or
Assessments, or

D.

violated intellectual property in the Board Examination and Assessment materials (the
materials) by engaging, without the Boards prior written express consent, in any of the
following acts with respect to the materials: reproducing; distributing; publishing; editing;
manipulating; translating; selling or offering for sale; whether alone or by adding answers,
suggested answers, commentary, or any other additional content to the materials.

10.00 The Boards Equivalency Process

10.01

Persons who are graduates of Accredited Programs who have failed either the Written
Examination or OSCE three (3) times or who are graduates of Non-Accredited Programs shall be
eligible to apply for the Board Equivalency Process.

10.02

The Board Equivalency Process shall consist of the

A.
B.
C.

10.03

Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge as described in By-law 16.00 to 16.07,

Assessment of Clinical Skills as described in By-law 17.00 to 17.06, and
Assessment of Clinical Judgement as described in By-law 18.00 to 18.06.

Persons who successfully complete the Board Equivalency Process by passing the Assessment of
Fundamental Knowledge, the Assessment of Clinical Skills and the Assessment of Clinical
Judgement as described in By-law 10.02, will be determined to be equivalent to a graduate of an
Accredited Program.

11.00 The Dental Specialty Core Knowledge Examination

11.01

Persons applying to the Dental Specialty Core Knowledge Examination shall provide evidence to
the satisfaction of the Board:
A. that they have graduated from a university-based undergraduate dental program;
B. that they have successfully completed a non-accredited specialty program affiliated with a
Faculty/College/School of Dentistry which is located in a University that is sanctioned by
Government to award degrees. The specialty program must be a specialty recognized by the
Canadian Dental Association.

12.00 The Board/Royal College of Dentists of Canada Certificate

12.01

For the purpose of By-laws 12.02 and 12.03 inclusive, the following abbreviations and definitions
shall apply:
"NDEB" means the National Dental Examining Board of Canada.
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"RCDC" means the Royal College of Dentists of Canada.

"NDEB/RCDC Certificate" means the Specialist Portability Certificate granted jointly by the NDEB
and the RCDC.
"Fellow of the RCDC" means a person who has successfully completed the National Dental
Specialty Examination, has been awarded a Fellowship diploma, has graduated from a postgraduate program acceptable to the RCDC, and is associated with a specialty recognized by the
Canadian Dental Association or possesses special qualifications in the dental sciences, as may be
determined by Council of the RCDC and has fulfilled all other requirements of the RCDC.
12.02

Fellows of the RCDC who have successfully passed the Boards Certification Process described in
By-law 9.00 to 9.07 and who have received a Certificate shall,
A.
B.

12.03

be granted the NDEB/RCDC Certificate upon application to the Board within five (5) years of
becoming a Fellow of the RCDC, and
have their names entered in the Register for Canada of Dental Specialists.

The Board and the RCDC shall determine the format of a single type of Certificate of Qualification
to be issued to persons eligible to receive a certificate pursuant to By-law 12.02. The Certificate
of Qualification shall be signed by the President or Vice-President/RCDC Vice-President, and the
Registrars of the Board and the RCDC. The Certificate of Qualification shall bear the corporate
seals of the Board and the RCDC.

III Examinations/Assessments
13.00 Written Examination
13.01

The Written Examination shall consist of one (1) Examination taken in a one (1) day session or
such other duration as determined by the Board from time to time.

13.02

The Board may establish obligations for Candidates as a condition for taking the Written
Examination.

13.03

The passing standard for the Written Examination shall be established at the NDEB Annual
Meeting and shall be applied for a minimum of one (1) year from the day the passing standard is
established.

13.04

Results will be reported to Candidates as a Pass or Fail. Candidates who receive a Fail result will
also be given their equated, re-scaled score.

13.05

The Written Examination may be taken a maximum of three (3) times unless the Candidate
qualifies pursuant to By-law 15.02.

14.00 Objective Structured Clinical Examination

14.01

The Objective Structured Clinical Examination shall consist of one (1) Examination taken in a one
(1) day session or such other duration as determined by the Board from time to time.
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14.02

The Board may establish obligations for Candidates as a condition for taking the Objective
Structured Clinical Examination.

14.03

The passing standard for the Objective Structured Clinical Examination shall be established at the
NDEB Annual Meeting and shall be applied for a minimum of one (1) year from the day the
passing standard is established.

14.04

Results will be reported to Candidates as a Pass or Fail. Candidates who receive a Fail result will
also be given their equated, re-scaled score.

14.05

The Objective Structured Clinical Examination may be taken a maximum of three (3) times unless
the candidate qualifies pursuant to By-law 15.02.

15.00 Repeating Written Examination and Objective Structured Clinical

Examination
15.01

Subject to By-law 15.02, a person does not meet the definition of Candidate in By-law 8.02 if
they have failed either the Written Examination or the Objective Structured Clinical Examination
three (3) times.

15.02

A person who has failed either the Written Examination or the Objective Structured Clinical
Examination three (3) times, may be given the opportunity to re-apply to be a Candidate
provided they
A.

successfully complete a Qualifying Program, an Advanced Education in General Dentistry

Program, a General Practice Residency Program or a Dental Residency Program
(hereafter a Program) which the person has enrolled in and taken subsequent to the
failures, and not more than sixty (60) months have elapsed since the date of successful
completion of such a Program,

or
B.

successfully complete the Board Equivalency Process described in By-laws 10.03 and
10.04 and not more than sixty (60) months have elapsed since the date of successful
completion of the Board Equivalency Process.

15.03

A person who applies to become a Candidate under the circumstances described in By-law 15.02
must successfully pass both the Written Examination described in By-laws 13.00 to 13.05 and the
Objective Structured Clinical Examination described in By-laws 14.00 to 14.05 subsequent to
becoming a Candidate through the process described in By-law 15.02.

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15.04

A person who has failed the Written Examination or the Objective Structured Clinical Examination
three (3) times, who avails themselves of one of the opportunities described in By-law 15.02 and
then subsequently fails the Written Examination or the Objective Structured Clinical Examination
three (3) additional times, will be ineligible to be a Candidate and to apply to take further NDEB
Examinations or Assessments.

16.00 Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge

16.01

The Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge is an evaluation in a multiple choice format. The

evaluation must be taken in a one (1) day session held in the morning and afternoon of the same
day or such other duration as may be determined by the Board from time to time.

16.02

The Board may establish obligations for Participants as a condition for taking the Assessment of
Fundamental Knowledge.

16.03

The passing standard for the Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge shall be established at the
NDEB Annual Meeting and shall be applied for a minimum of one (1) year from the day the
passing standard is established.

16.04

Results will be reported to participants as a Pass or Fail. Participants will also receive their
equated, re-scaled score.

16.05

The Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge may be taken a maximum of three (3) times.

16.06

A person who has failed the Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge three (3) times will not be
eligible to apply to retake the Board Equivalency Process described in By-laws 10.00 to 10.03.

16.07

A person must pass the Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge before proceeding to the
Assessment of Clinical Skills and the Assessment of Clinical Judgement.

17.00 Assessment of Clinical Skills

17.01

The Assessment of Clinical Skills is an evaluation of the skills of participants demonstrated

through simulated dental procedures performed on manikins in a clinical setting. The evaluation
must be taken in a two (2) consecutive day session or for such other duration as determined by
the Board from time to time.

17.02

The Board may establish obligations for Participants as a condition for taking the Assessment of
Clinical Skills.

17.03

The passing standard for the Assessment of Clinical Skills shall be established at the NDEB
Annual Meeting and shall be applied for a minimum of one (1) year, from the day the passing
standard is established.
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17.04

Results will be reported to participants as a Pass or Fail. Participants will also receive their score
for each requirement.

17.05

The Assessment of Clinical Skills in its entirety may be taken a maximum of three (3) times.

17.06

A person who has failed the Assessment of Clinical Skills three times will not be eligible to apply
to retake the Board Equivalency Process described in By-laws 10.00 to 10.04.

18.00 Assessment of Clinical Judgement

18.01

The Assessment of Clinical Judgement is an evaluation in the areas of Diagnosis, Treatment

Planning, Clinical Decision Making and Radiographic Interpretation. The evaluation shall consist
of a written Assessment taken in a one (1) day session or for such other duration as determined
by the Board from time to time.

18.02

The Board may establish obligations for Participants as a condition for taking the Assessment of
Clinical Judgement.

18.03

The passing standard for the Assessment of Clinical Judgement shall be established at the NDEB
Annual Meeting and shall be applied for a minimum of one (1) year from the day the passing
standard is established.

18.04

Results will be reported to participants as a Pass or Fail. Participants will also receive their
equated, re-scaled score.

18.05

The Assessment of Clinical Judgement in its entirety may be taken a maximum of three (3) times.

18.06

A person who has failed the Assessment of Clinical Judgement three (3) times will not be eligible
to apply to retake the Board Equivalency Process described in By-laws 10.00 to 10.04.

19.00 Dental Specialty Core Knowledge Examination (DSCKE)

19.01

The Dental Specialty Core Knowledge Examination shall consist of one (1) component taken in a
one-half (1/2) day session or such other duration as determined by the Board from time to time.

19.02

The Board may establish obligations for participants as a condition for taking the Dental Specialty
Core Knowledge Examination.

19.03

Results will be reported as a score for each component.

19.04

The Dental Specialty Core Knowledge Examination may be taken a maximum of two (2) times.

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20.00 Conduct
20.01

The integrity of the application process and the process or conduct of a Board Examination or
Assessment is paramount and must be maintained at all times. Any departure from such process
or conduct may result in immediate action or become the subject of subsequent action following
an investigation of the departure from such process or conduct.

20.02

If during an application process available to a person under these By-laws, the persons
application documentation does not demonstrate the required qualifications, or a person
compromises, in any manner whatsoever, the integrity of the application process, then:
A.

the Board official charged with reviewing the application may recommend to the
Registrar rejection of the application,

B.

the Registrar shall inform the person who made the application of the rejection with
written reasons for such rejection, and

C.

a person whose application has been rejected may submit a written appeal to the Board
and the Board shall hear any such appeal pursuant to the Boards Application Rejection
Appeal Policy.

20.03

If during the conduct of an Examination or Assessment, a Candidate or Participant has

compromised, in any manner whatsoever, the integrity of the process or conduct of the
Examination or Assessment, then:
A.

the Board official charged with overseeing the Examination or Assessment may
immediately dismiss the Candidate or Participant from the Examination or Assessment, or

B.

the Board official charged with overseeing the Examination or Assessment, with the
assistance of Invigilators who observed the compromising activity, shall make a full,
written report to the Boards Examinations Committee.

20.04

Any report and any other documents provided to the Examinations Committee pursuant to By-law
20.03B will also be provided to the Candidate or Participant alleged to have compromised the
integrity of the Examination or Assessment and the Candidate or Participant will be provided with
an opportunity to make a written submission to the Examinations Committee.

20.05

The Examinations Committee shall consider the written reports and submissions pursuant to Bylaws 20.03 and 20.04 at its next scheduled meeting and may determine that the integrity of the
Examination or Assessment process or conduct
A.

was not compromised, or

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B.

was compromised and void the results of the Examination or Assessment of the
Candidate or Participant under investigation and, notwithstanding any other provision of
these By-laws, may deny the Candidate or Participant the privilege of taking or repeating
any further Examinations or Assessments.

20.06

Without restricting the generality of By-law 20.01, a Candidate or Participant shall be deemed to
have compromised the integrity of the Examination or Assessment process if, at any time, an
attempt is made directly or indirectly to contact Board Examiners outside the confines of an
Examination or Assessment, for any reason whatsoever. Any communication by a candidate or
participant, or a person on behalf of the Candidate or Participant, with the Board and its officials
must be made or directed to the Registrar.

20.07

The Board shall from time to time determine the manner of communicating the results of
Examinations or Assessments to Candidates or Participants. Results may be withheld from
Candidates or Participants who are under investigation or who have failed in any obligation made
to the Board as a condition of taking an Examination or Assessment.

21.00 Appeals of the Written Examination, the Objective Structured Clinical

Examination, the Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge, the Assessment
of Clinical Judgement and the Dental Specialty Core Knowledge
Examination
21.01

Persons who have taken the Written Examination or the Objective Structured Clinical
Examination, or the Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge or the Assessment of Clinical
Judgement, or the Dental Specialty Core Knowledge Examination may, within three (3) months of
the release of results, may appeal to the Board to have their answer score sheets manually
checked against the answer key. Any such appeal must be accompanied by a filing fee as set by
the Board from time to time. The score for the person will be that produced by the manual
check. This score will determine whether a person passed or failed as established by By-laws
13.03, 14.03, 16.03, 18.03 and 19.03.

22.00 Appeals of the Assessment of Clinical Skills

22.01

Within three (3) months of the release of results, a person who has failed the Assessment of
Clinical Skills may make submissions in writing to the Appeals Committee of the Board setting out
the grounds for requesting to have the Fail changed. Any such appeal must be accompanied by
the filing fee as set by the Board from time to time.

22.02

If, on consideration of the appeal record as defined in the Assessment of Clinical Skills Appeal
Process (Appendix VIII), the Panel of the Appeals Committee determines that there was a
mistake of fact of such significance that it would have altered the appellants Fail, then the appeal
shall be upheld. The decision to uphold the appeal shall be final.

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22.03

If, on consideration of the appeal record, as defined in the Assessment of Clinical Skills Appeal
Process (Appendix VIII), the Panel of the Appeals Committee determines that there was no
mistake of fact of such significance that it could have altered the appellants Fail, then the appeal
shall be dismissed. The decision to dismiss the appeal shall be final.

22.04

If, on consideration of the appeal record, as identified in the Assessment of Clinical Skills Appeal
Process (Appendix VIII), the Panel of the Appeals Committee determines, on a prima facie basis,
that there may have been a procedural issue with the conduct of the Assessment of Clinical Skills
for the appellant of such significance that it might alter the appellants Fail, then the appeal will
be referred to a second appeal hearing.

22.05

On an extraordinary basis, a Panel of the Appeals Committee may void the results of an
Assessment if there were circumstances in the administration of the Assessment beyond the
control of the person appealing that prevented the person from demonstrating their ability during
the Assessment. Any such determination by the Panel of the Appeals Committee shall include an
order to have the Assessment and appeal fees refunded and an order to permit the Appellant to
take the subject Assessment at the next available session.

22.06

The determination of the Panel of the Appeals Committee at the second appeal hearing will be to
either uphold or dismiss the appeal. The determination of the Panel of the Appeals Committee
shall be final and reported to the Board for information purposes only.

23.00 Petitions
23.01

Pursuant to By-law 20.03, a person who has had:

A.

Examination or Assessment results voided by the Examinations Committee, or

B.

Examination or Assessment results voided and who has been denied the privilege of
repeating an Examination or Assessment by the Examinations Committee may, within
one (1) month of the date of receipt of the notice of the aforesaid decision, petition in
writing the Executive Committee to review the decision referred to in A or B of this Bylaw. Any such petition must be accompanied by the filing fee as set by the Board from
time to time.

23.02

Written submissions in support of a petition shall be limited to the issue of the compromising of
the integrity of the Examination or Assessment procedures in question and must not include any
other ground of review.

23.03

The Executive Committee shall consider the written submissions and may permit oral
submissions.

23.04

The Executive Committees determination shall be final.

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24.00 Compassionate Appeal

24.01

A person who considers themselves disadvantaged either immediately before or during an

Examination or Assessment by a personal circumstance beyond the persons control may, within
one (1) week of the event beyond the persons control occurring, request that the Executive
Committee make a special consideration to void the results of the Examination or Assessment by
permitting the person to withdraw from the Examination or Assessment and grant permission for
the person to register for the Examination or Assessment at another scheduled session of the
Examination or Assessment. The person may also request special consideration for a refund of
up to fifty per cent (50%) of the fee or such other refund amount as may be determined from
time to time by the Board.

24.02

Any such request for Compassionate Appeal and special consideration for a fee refund must be in
writing and the person must describe the event or events, which caused the disadvantage in
sufficient detail to permit the Executive Committee to make a determination. The person must
also describe the reason for requesting special consideration for a refund and provide
documentation to substantiate the basis for the Compassionate Appeal.

24.03

The Executive Committee may grant the Compassionate Appeal only if satisfied that a personal
circumstance beyond the persons control disadvantaged the person in taking an Examination or
Assessment. The determination of the Executive Committee shall be final and will be reported to
the Board for information purposes only.

IV - Interpretation
25.00 Interpretation
25.01

In these By-laws and in all other By-laws of the Board hereafter passed, unless the context
otherwise requires, words importing the singular number or the masculine gender shall include
the plural number and the feminine gender, as the case may be, and vice versa, and reference to
persons shall include firms and corporations.

25.02

These By-laws are available in both English and French, and both versions are of equal effect. In
the event of any inconsistency or error in translation between the English and French versions,
the English version prevails.

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Assessment of Clinical Skills Appeal Process

1.

Pursuant to By-law 22.01, a participant who has failed the Assessment of Clinical Skills may make
submissions in writing to the Appeals Committee of the Board setting out the grounds for
requesting to have the Fail changed. Any such appeal must be accompanied by the filing fee as
set by the Board from time to time.

2.

Once the appellants written submission has been received, staff will verify that the appeal filing
fee has been paid.

3.

Once payment has been verified, staff will prepare documents and materials (appeal record) for
distribution to the Appeals Committee.

4.

The appeal record will be:

a. Appellants submission and any and all documents the appellant deems necessary
b. Report of Results for the grades under consideration
c.

Typodonts with all Assessment teeth in position

d. Participant Communication Form

e. Invigilator Notes Form for participant
f.

Any photographs taken during the evaluation of the appellants typodonts.

In addition, if a request has been made to change the grade for:

a. Infection Control, the Infection Control Grading Form shall be included;
b. Record of Procedure, the Record of Procedure Grading Checklist shall be included;
c.
5.

Rubber Dam, the Rubber Dam Requirement Grading Form shall be included.

The Chair of the Appeals Committee, pursuant to its Terms of Reference (Appendix V) will select
a three (3) member Panel to hear the appeal.

6.

The Panel, having reviewed the appeal record, shall

a. (i) First make a determination whether any of the grades under consideration, initially graded
as an E or a D could be changed to a higher grade,
(ii) Then request Board staff to provide the grades that were not the subject of the appeal,
and
(iii) Then use all of the grades to determine whether the appellants Fail be altered.
b. On an extraordinary basis, may void the results of an Assessment if there were
circumstances in the administration of the Assessment beyond the control of the person
appealing that prevented the person from demonstrating their ability during the Assessment.

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7.

If, on the consideration set out in paragraph 6 above, the Panel determines that there was no
mistake of fact of such significance that it could have altered the appellants Fail, then the
appeal shall be dismissed. The decision to dismiss the appeal shall be final and reported to the
Board for information purposes only. The reasons for the determination made for each grade
under consideration will be included in the report of the appeal, which will also be provided to the
appellant.

8.

If, on the consideration set out in paragraph 6 above, the Panel determines that there was a
mistake of fact of such significance that it alters the appellants Fail, then the appeal shall be
granted. The decision to grant the appeal shall be final and reported to the Board for information
purposes only. The reasons for the determination made for each grade under consideration will
be included in the report of the appeal, which will also be provided to the appellant.

9.

In the event the Panel determines on a prima facie basis that there may have been a procedural
issue with the conduct of the Assessment of Clinical Skills for the appellant of such significance
that it might alter the appellants Fail, then the appellants results of the Assessment of Clinical
Skills will be referred to a second appeal hearing.

10.

If the Appeal is referred to a second appeal hearing, then the following steps will be followed:
a. The appellant will be notified in writing of the decision within fifteen (15) days of the date of
the decision to proceed to a second appeal hearing. The appellant can, but is not required
to, appear in person at the second appeal hearing, with or without legal counsel,
b. The Chief Examiner of the Assessment of Clinical Skills will be notified in writing and given a
copy of the appeal record within forty-five (45) days from the date of the decision,
c.

The Chief Examiner of the Assessment of Clinical Skills will provide written submissions on
the facts as presented in the appeal record within thirty (30) days from the date of the
decision,

d. Examiners and on site staff who had contact with the appellant during the Assessment of
Clinical Skills will be notified in writing and given a copy of the appeal record within thirty
(30) days from the date of the decision,
e. Examiners and on site staff who had contact with the appellant during the Assessment of
Clinical Sills will be asked to provide written submissions on the facts as presented in the
appeal record within sixty (60) days from the date of the decision,
f.

The appellant will be provided with copies of any written submissions from the Chief
Examiner of the Assessment of Clinical Skills and the other Examiners and on site staff of the
Assessment of Clinical Skills. The appellant will be given thirty (30) days from the date of
being provided with copies of any written submissions from the Chief Examiner, other
Examiners and on site staff to make further written submissions.

g. The Panel shall schedule an appeal hearing within a reasonable time and provide the
appellant fifteen (15) days notice of the hearing.

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11.

At the second Appeal hearing before the Panel:

a. All persons who have provided written submissions may be invited to be present.
b. The appellant, alone or with counsel, will address the Panel first.
c.

The Panel may invite Examiners to address the Panel.

d. The Panel can, at any time, address questions to any person addressing the Panel.
e. If any Examiner addresses the Panel, then the appellant, alone or with counsel, may make
final submissions to the Panel.
f.

The determination of the Panel at the second appeal hearing will be to either uphold or
dismiss the appeal. On an extraordinary basis, the Panel may void the results of an
Assessment if there were circumstances in the administration of the Assessment beyond the
control of the person appealing that prevented the person from demonstrating their ability
during the Assessment.

12.

The determination of the Panel shall be final.

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Compassionate Appeal process

Within one week of the examination or assessment, a person who considered themselves
disadvantaged by a personal circumstance beyond their control may make a request for a
Compassionate Appeal to the NDEB.

Compassionate Appeal requests must be received by the NDEB in writing within one week (7
days) of the examination or assessment.

The Compassionate Appeal must be detailed and must describe the event or events which caused
the disadvantage. All relevant documentation must be provided.

The Compassionate Appeal must request that the results of the examination or assessment be
voided and that the person be permitted to withdraw from the examination or assessment.

The Compassionate Appeal may request a refund of up to 50% of the examination or assessment
fee.

Compassionate Appeals are considered by the Board or the Executive Committee acting for the
Board. The Board may ask the person for further documentation or explanation. The
determination of the Board or Committee acting for the Board is final.

The decision of the Board or Committee will be forwarded to the person in writing by email.
Results of a Compassionate Appeal will not be given by telephone.

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NDEB Examination and Assessment Policies

Subject to change

Dates and locations

The Written and OSCE Examinations will be held on the first weekend in March, the last weekend
of May and the third weekend of November.

The Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge will be held on the first Saturday in February
beginning in 2011 and on the second Saturday of August beginning in 2015.

The Assessment of Clinical Skills be held either the first or second weekend in June beginning in
2014 and the first weekend in December beginning in 2015.

The Assessment of Clinical Judgement will be held the Friday preceding the Assessment of
Clinical Skills in June beginning in 2013 and on the Friday preceding the Assessment of Clinical
Skills in December beginning in 2015.

The Dental Specialty Core Knowledge Examination will be held on the second Friday in
September beginning in 2015 and the second Friday in February beginning in 2016.

Centres will be established in Canada in several locations, provided there is an expectation of a

minimum of 25 participants/candidates at a location. If less than 25 participants/candidates
register at a centre participants/candidates may be transferred to another centre.

The NDEB may establish Written Examination, OSCE, and Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge
centres outside of Canada. These locations must have acceptable security and an expectation of
a minimum of 50 participants/candidates.

Centres are established one year in advance of the date of the assessment or examination.

Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge centres will be established at various Canadian locations.

The NDEB also intends to establish a centre in London, UK, New Zealand, and Hong Kong.

The NDEB will not accommodate transfer requests.

Fees

The application fee is payable once only and non-refundable. Individuals who complete an online
application more than once will be refunded the additional application fee(s) paid; however, will
be subject to the administrative fee of $200 per additional application.

No assessment or examination fee will be refunded to an individual who commences an

assessment or examination and for any reason does not complete that assessment or
examination.

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Applicants to the Equivalency Process who were candidates in the former ODQ Equivalency
Process, former ACFD Eligibility Examination candidates and NDEB candidates must pay the
application fee.

Individuals who successfully complete the NDEB Equivalency Process are not required to pay the
application fee for the NDEB Certification Process.

Individuals who were participants in the NDEB Equivalency Process and subsequently complete a
Qualifying Program or Degree Completion Program are required to pay the application fee for the
NDEB Certification Process.

A withdrawal fee of $250.00 per examination will be charged for withdrawal from an examination
after the registration deadline date but prior to the examination date, provided well documented
evidence of illness or documentation of circumstances beyond a candidates control at the time of
withdrawal is supplied at the time of withdrawal.

A withdrawal fee of 25% per assessment will be charged for withdrawal from an assessment
after the registration deadline date but prior to the assessment date, provided well documented
evidence of illness or documentation of circumstances beyond a participants control at the time
of withdrawal is supplied at the time of withdrawal.

All examination and assessment manual rescore fees are non-refundable.

Participants may request to cancel their Assessment of Clinical Skills Appeal; however, will be
subject to the administrative fee $200.

Results

The results for the Written and OSCE Examinations will be released as a Pass for successful
candidates and a test equated, rescaled score for unsuccessful candidates.

Results for the Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge and the Assessment of Clinical Judgement
will be reported to participants as a Pass or Fail. Participants will also receive their test equated,
rescaled score.

Results for the Assessment of Clinical Skills will be reported to participants as a Pass or Fail.
Participants will also receive their score for each requirement.

Other

Uploaded photographs that do not meet the application requirement will be deleted from the
online application and notification and instructions will be sent to the applicant by email. If an
acceptable photograph is not uploaded by the registration deadline date, registration will be
cancelled and the appropriate withdrawal fees will apply.

Requests to change assessment or examination language must be received prior to the applicable
registration deadline date. No language changes will be made after this time.

Documentation received from a third party (eg. educational institution) will not be sent to the
applicant. All documents submitted by the university become the property of the NDEB and will
not be returned.
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The NDEB reserves the right to change the application requirements, certification requirements,
or instructions at any time.

The NDEB agrees to use its best efforts to ensure that examinations and assessments are
conducted at the time and place scheduled. Any cancellation or interruption of any examination
or assessment caused by circumstances beyond the control of the NDEB, shall in no way render
the NDEB liable for any claim arising from such cancellation or interruption other than the refund
of examination or assessment fees, which will be at the sole discretion of the NDEB.

The NDEB recognizes and affirms that the imposition and maintenance of measures that protect
the contents of test items comprising all NDEB written examinations and assessments from
disclosure to persons other than candidates or participants at examination and assessment
sessions and to individuals responsible for the preparation, conduct and evaluation of the
examinations and assessments are vital to the continued fulfillment of the mandate of the NDEB.

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