NDECC study guide
NDECC · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The NDECC (National Dental Examining Board of Canada Objective Structured Clinical Examination) is a station-based clinical assessment used within the NDEB certification pathway for dentists seeking licensure in Canada. It is aimed at graduates of Canadian and international dental programs who have completed the required written examinations and now need to demonstrate applied clinical judgement. The NDECC study guide has 10 sections and about 2,666 words.
01Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis
Clinical assessment in dentistry moves from data to synthesis: history, extraoral and intraoral examination, radiographs, and targeted special tests. Candidates must know which test answers which question.
349 words, about 2 min02Treatment Planning and Case Management
Treatment planning is a prioritized, staged process. Candidates must understand the standard sequence: address urgent pain and infection, stabilize periodontal and caries disease, establish function, then address esthetics and elective care.
290 words, about 1 min03Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
Restorative and endodontic questions test principles, not brand names. Know cavity design and the rationale for extension for prevention versus minimal intervention; adhesion and bonding to enamel versus dentin; and the difference between resistance form and retention form.
306 words, about 2 min04Periodontics
Periodontal questions require you to integrate clinical attachment loss, probing depth, bleeding on probing, radiographic bone loss, and risk factors. Know the distinction between gingivitis and periodontitis, and between plaque-induced and non-plaque-induced disease.
267 words, about 1 min05Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine
Oral surgery questions emphasize preoperative assessment: medical history, bleeding risk, anticoagulant management, airway, and anatomic considerations. Know the indications and contraindications for extraction, the principles of flap design, and the management of complications such as bleeding, dry socket, and nerve injury.
269 words, about 1 min06Prosthodontics
Prosthodontic questions test occlusal principles, retention and stability, and the choice between fixed, removable, and implant-supported options. Know the differences between complete denture retention (physical forces, adaptation, saliva) and stability (resistance to horizontal forces).
264 words, about 1 min07Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry
Orthodontic and pediatric questions test growth and development, eruption timing, space management, and the distinction between interceptive and definitive treatment. Know the concepts of leeway space, primate spaces, and the mixed dentition analysis.
255 words, about 1 min08Professionalism, Ethics, and Communication
Questions test informed consent, confidentiality, truthfulness, and the management of conflicts of interest. Know the elements of valid consent: capacity, disclosure, understanding, and voluntariness.
215 words, about 1 min09Infection Control, Safety, and Practice Management
Infection control questions test standard precautions, hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, sterilization, and waste management. Know the difference between sterilization and disinfection, and the rationale for autoclave monitoring with biological indicators.
215 words, about 1 min10Evidence-Based Practice and Critical Appraisal
Evidence-based practice questions test the ability to formulate a focused question, search efficiently, appraise validity, and apply evidence to a specific patient. Know study designs: randomized controlled trials for therapy, cohort and case-control for prognosis and harm, diagnostic accuracy studies for tests, and systematic reviews for synthesis.
236 words, about 1 min