ADEX Dental Hygiene Examination: Simulated Patient Treatment Clinical Examination (SPTCE)

American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX; formerly administered as CDCA-WREB-CITA)

Format: Manikin (typodont) clinical exam at a host school; 2 hours; graded by three calibrated examiners
Fee: $1,150
Passing standard: 75 or greater of 100; reported pass/fail to jurisdictions
Retakes: 10-day wait; second clinical attempt $0 exam fee (typodont $150 and facility fee still due); third attempt $795; 18-Month Rule and 3-Time Fail Policy apply
Given by: American Board of Dental Examiners at host dental hygiene schools
Accepted by: All US jurisdictions except Delaware and Nebraska (ADEX acceptance map, last updated 3/6/2026)

Sections

Clinical treatment (detection, removal, probing), 120 minutes

What it covers

Calculus Detection · 16 points
- 4 assigned maxillary teeth, 4 surfaces each, 1 point per surface
Calculus Removal · 66 points
- One mandibular quadrant; 12 key surfaces at 5.5 points each
Complete Calculus Removal · 6 points
- Remaining surfaces in the quadrant: 1 surface -3, 2 or more -6
Periodontal Probing Measurement · 12 points
- 2 teeth (1 anterior, 1 posterior), 6 measurements each, within 1 mm
Treatment Management (penalties) · deductions
- Minor soft or hard tissue damage: -1 per site up to 3
- 4 or more minor sites or 1 major site: automatic failure

Notes

fee_usd is the combined initial fee for both components. The 2026 manuals describe only the manikin clinical exam for dental hygiene. Candidates supply their own instruments.

Sources

Checked 2026-10-03.