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Overview

The Oral Clinical Examination (OCE) is administered annually at a facility specifically designed for administration of professional specialty board oral examinations.

Candidates can apply for the OCE after successfully completing the Qualifying Examination (QE).

  • 2-hour examination session
  • 8 topic areas covered
  • Open-ended questions to assess candidate’s knowledge and skills

What to Expect

The OCE is designed to evaluate the candidate’s knowledge and ability for the diagnosis, treatment planning, and complications of clinical cases in pediatric dentistry.

The examination is composed of two one-hour sessions administered successively by two examiners. Each session consists of clinical vignettes that are presented to the candidate for discussion. Candidates will be expected to have evidenced-based knowledge of all currently acceptable therapy whether they perform the procedures in practice or not and in all types of pediatric patients.

The topic areas covered by the vignettes include:

  • Comprehensive Care
  • Hospital Dentistry
  • Behavior Guidance
  • Management of the Developing Occlusion
  • Oral Pathology
  • Prevention
  • Special Health Care Needs
  • Trauma
A young girl smiles as a dental progressional with blue glove prepares to use dental tools

Step by Step

Examination Timeline

APPLY FOR OCE

The OCE application opens annually in January. The application can be completed by logging into your ABPD portal.  Limited spots are available and filled on a first come first served basis.  

Prepare for Exam

Schedule Travel

ABPD will assign examination dates approximately six months before the administration of the examination.

Renew Board Candidacy

All active candidates are required to log into their profile annually and complete the renewal and credentials form. Renewal period opens December 1st and the deadline to complete is November 30th.

Participate in the OCE

The OCE is administered annually at a facility specifically designed for administration of professional specialty board oral examinations.

OCE results released

Examination results are reported to candidates via the ABPD website within 8 weeks.

What to Know

Dates & Fees

Annual Registration

Opens Annually in January 
$2500
 

2024 Examination Dates

September 16-20, 2024 
Raleigh, NC
Application opens: January 9, 2024
Application closes: January 23, 2024
Cancellation Date: March 20, 2024

Maintenance of Board Candidacy

Apply by November 30