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National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE)

Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE), an agency of the ADA; implemented by ADA Department of Testing Services

Format

Computer-based; 350 multiple-choice items; discipline-based component (200) and case-based component (150); 7 h 30 min testing time, 9 h total appointment

Fee

$600

Passing standard

Pass/fail; scale score 49 to 99, 75 is the minimum passing score; no penalty for guessing; some items unscored

Retakes

60 days between failed attempts; maximum 4 attempts in any 12-month period; Five Years/Five Attempts rule, after which one attempt every 6 months

Given by

Pearson VUE (US and Canada)

Accepted by

All US licensing jurisdictions: 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands

Sections

• Session One: discipline-based questions: 200 questions, 210 minutes
• Session Two: case-based questions (12 to 15 patient cases): 150 questions, 240 minutes

What it covers

• Scientific Basis for Dental Hygiene Practice · 56 items
  • Anatomic Sciences
  • Anatomy: Head and neck anatomy; Dental anatomy (General anatomy, Root anatomy); Histology and Embryology
  • Physiology
  • Biochemistry and Nutrition: Biochemistry; Nutrition
  • Microbiology and Immunology: Microbiology; Immunology
  • Pathology: General; Oral
  • Pharmacology: Local Anesthesia; General
• Provision of Clinical Dental Hygiene Services · 124 items
  • Patient Assessment (Medical and dental history; Head and neck examination; Periodontal evaluation; Oral evaluation; Occlusal evaluation)
  • Dental Radiography (Principles of radiophysics and radiobiology; Principles of radiologic health; Technique; Recognition of normalities and abnormalities; Emerging Technologies)
  • Dental Hygiene Care Planning (Infection control (application); Recognition of emergency situations and provision of appropriate care; Individualized patient education; Anxiety and pain control: Local anesthesia, General; Recognition and management of patients with special needs; Dental hygiene treatment strategies)
  • Periodontal Disease Management (Etiology and pathogenesis of periodontal diseases; Prescribed therapy: Nonsurgical periodontal therapy, Surgical support services, Chemotherapeutic agents, Implant care; Reassessment and evaluation; Maintenance)
  • Preventive Agents (Fluorides; Pit and fissure sealants; Other preventive agents)
  • Supportive Treatment Services (Properties and manipulation of materials; Polishing natural and restored teeth; Making of impressions and preparation of study casts; Emerging technologies)
  • Professional Responsibility (Ethical principles; Regulatory compliance; Patient and professional communication; Documentation and risk management)
• Research Principles and Community Health · 20 items
  • Research principles: Analyzing Scientific Literature; Understanding Statistical Concepts; Applying Research Results
  • Community health: Promoting health and preventing disease within groups; Assessing, designing, implementing, and evaluating community programs
• Case Based Items · 150 items (12 to 15 cases)
  • Patient assessment
  • Dental radiography
  • Dental hygiene care planning
  • Periodontal disease management
  • Preventive agents
  • Supportive treatment services
  • Professional responsibility

Notes

Guide updated 9/17/2026. content_outline holds the specifications AFTER the update anticipated in November 2026 (exact date not published); the specifications in force before the update are in content_outline_before_update. Other fees: non-CODA processing $435; extra report $55; audit $105; eligibility extension $150; reschedule $25. Eligibility: CODA program student certified by the program director, or graduate with proof of graduation.

Sources

• https://jcnde.ada.org/-/media/project/ada-organization/ada/jcnde/files/nbdhe_candidate_guide.pdf
• https://jcnde.ada.org/nbdhe
• https://jcnde.ada.org/nbdhe/nbdhe-prepare
• https://jcnde.ada.org/nbdhe/nbdhe-apply

Checked 2026-10-03.