National Board Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE) Details

• NBDHE is a comprehensive 350-item exam that lasts for one day.
• The passing score is 75.
• The result of the exam are mailed six to eight weeks after the exam.
• If a candidate fails three times, there is a one year waiting period.

• Basic Sciences
• Pharmacology
• Radiology
• Community Dentistry
• Periodontics
• Dental Anatomy & Occlusion
• Dental Materials
• Instrumentation
• Nutrition
• Oral Pathology (Oral Diagnosis)

Component B

Scientific  Basis for Dental Hygiene Practice:

• Anatomic Science     (15 items)
• Physiology   (4 items)
• Biochemistry and Nutrition    (7 items)
• Microbiology and Immunology    (11 items)
• Pathology    (13 items)
• General    (5 items)
• Oral   (7 items)
• Pharmacology    (10 items)

Provision of Clinical Dental Hygiene Services

• Assessing Patient Characteristics     (16 items)
• Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs    (14 items)
• Planning/Managing Dental Hygiene   (34 items)
• Performing Periodontal Procedures    (19 items)
• Using Preventive Agents    (9 items)
• Providing Supportive Treatment Services    (7 items)
• Professional Responsibility    (17 items)

Community Health & Research Principles

• Promoting Health and Preventing Programs   ( 5 items)
• Participating in Community Programs    (11 items)
• Analyzing Scientific Literature, Understanding Statistical Concepts and Applying Research Results    (8 items)