ADBA Dental Anesth
ADBA Dental Anesthesiology Certification Examination
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ExploreAbout this exam
The American Dental Board of Anesthesiology (ADBA) is the national certifying board for Dental Anesthesiology, recognized by the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards with the recognition status of Recognition. Its stated mission is to elevate the standards and advance the art and science of anesthesiology in dentistry, thereby optimizing patient care. Board certification is intended for dentist anesthesiologists who have completed residency training and wish to demonstrate that they meet the profession's highest standard; successful candidates become Diplomates and appear in the board's verification directory. The certification process has two assessment components: a written examination of didactic knowledge in dental anesthesiology and a case-based oral examination testing clinical judgment. The 2027 written exam is scheduled for Wednesday, April 7, 2027, from 8:00AM until Noon Mountain Time at the Hilton Denver City Center in Denver, Colorado, with applications due February 6, 2027. The 2027 oral exam is scheduled for Saturday, June 5 and Sunday, June 6, 2027, at the Hilton Phoenix Airport hotel in Phoenix, Arizona, with a February 5, 2027 application deadline. Preparation should be built around the published written and oral exam overviews on the ADBA site, a structured review of anesthesia pharmacology, physiology, monitoring, and emergency management, and repeated practice articulating case decisions aloud. This page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the ADBA; always confirm dates, fees, and eligibility on adba.org.
What you'll study
About ADBA Dental Anesth preparation
What is the format of the ADBA examinations?
The certification process has two parts: a written examination covering didactic knowledge of dental anesthesiology, and an oral examination that is case-based and tests clinical judgment. The ADBA publishes separate Written Exam Overview and Oral Exam Overview pages describing each; review those for current structure before you build a study plan.
When is the 2027 written exam and where is it held?
The 2027 written exam is Wednesday, April 7, 2027, from 8:00AM until Noon Mountain Time, at the Hilton Denver City Center in Denver, Colorado. Registration opened September 1, 2026, and applications are due by February 6, 2027.
When is the 2027 oral exam and can I choose Sunday?
The 2027 oral exam runs Saturday, June 5 and Sunday, June 6, 2027, at the Hilton Phoenix Airport hotel in Phoenix, Arizona. Sunday exams are held only if candidate numbers exceed what can be examined on Saturday, or for a candidate request for a specific date due to religious reasons.
Why should I register for the oral exam early?
Oral exam applications are handled on a first come, first served basis and space is limited. Even though the application deadline is Friday, February 5, 2027, the ADBA may close registration before that date if the maximum number of candidates is reached. Submit as soon as your eligibility is confirmed.
How long is the written exam?
The published schedule for the 2027 written exam is 8:00AM until Noon Mountain Time, a four-hour window on Wednesday, April 7, 2027. The ADBA does not publish a separate item count or passing score on its home page, so confirm those details through the official Written Exam Overview and FAQs.
Is the oral exam harder than the written exam?
They test different skills. The written exam rewards broad, accurate didactic recall; the oral exam rewards organized clinical reasoning under questioning. Many candidates find the oral format more stressful because there is no opportunity to revisit an answer, so practice verbalizing airway plans, drug choices, and complication management aloud.
What should I study first?
Start with the ADBA's own Written Exam Overview and Oral Exam Overview to map the tested domains, then build a schedule that covers physiology and pharmacology early, since those underpin monitoring, sedation planning, and emergency management. Reserve the final weeks for timed recall practice and mock oral cases rather than new material.
What are common reasons candidates struggle?
Typical weak points are shallow depth in pharmacology and pediatric dosing, poor structure when answering oral case questions, and neglecting emergency scenarios such as laryngospasm, aspiration, or local anesthetic systemic toxicity. Another frequent problem is under-preparing for the oral format by studying only in written-question style.
Does this page come from the ADBA?
No. This is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the American Dental Board of Anesthesiology. All scheduling, application, fee, and eligibility details should be verified directly on the official ADBA website before you rely on them.