What is the INBDE?
The INBDE (Integrated National Board Dental Examination) is a comprehensive assessment of dental knowledge and clinical skills that is required for licensure as a dentist in the United States. Here are some key things you should know about the INBDE:
The INBDE consists of two parts: a written exam and a clinical simulation exam.
The written exam covers a range of dental topics, including dental anatomy, pathology, pharmacology, and oral and maxillofacial radiology.
The clinical simulation exam consists of a series of simulated patient cases in which candidates must demonstrate their ability to diagnose and treat dental conditions.
The INBDE is administered by the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE), a division of the American Dental Association (ADA).
To be eligible to take the INBDE, you must have graduated from a dental education program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and be a candidate for licensure as a dentist in the United States.
You can register for the INBDE online through the NBDE website. The exam is offered at testing centers throughout the United States.
It is recommended that you begin preparing for the INBDE well in advance of the exam date. Study materials and practice exams are available through the NBDE website and other resources.
Your INBDE scores are valid for three years from the date of the exam.
The focus of the exam is detailed in the iNBDE syllabus, however in short this consists of:
- Embryology, Human anatomy, & Histology
- Physiology and biochemistry
- Pathology and microbiology
- Dental Anatomy and Occlusion
- Endodontic
- Operative Dentistry
- Control of maxillofacial and oral surgery pain
- Oral diagnosis
- Pediatric dentistry and orthodontics
- Periodontics
- Pharmacology
- Prosthodontics
- Patient management
- Behavioral science
- Occupational safety
- Dental public health
In addition to the above, the INBDE will require candidates to further draw from their knowledge of basic science, behavioral science, and clinical competencies to answer them correctly. For example, INBDE questions will ask about patient care, how dentists approach the practice of dentistry, and how dentists keep up with advances in the profession. Have a look at our free iNBDE exam questions for some examples.