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OSCE EXAMINATION

I Content and Format

The OSCE is a station type examination comprised of a morning session and an afternoon session on the same day.

The majority of the stations will have 2 questions and will require the candidate to review the information supplied (e.g. case history, photographs, radiographs, casts, models) and answer extended match type questions. Each extended match type question will have up to 15 answer options and one or more correct answers. All answers for these questions must be recorded on the answer score sheet provided.

A few stations may require the candidate to review the information supplied and write an acceptable prescription for a medication commonly prescribed by general dentists in Canada. Any required prescription must be legibly written on the supplied form and submitted as directed. The candidate’s NDEB Identification Number must be correctly recorded on the prescription form.

Candidates will have 5 minutes at each station to answer the questions. After 5 minutes the candidate will move to the next station. The Question and Answer Framework for the examination is available at www.ndeb.ca/en/accredited/documents/OSCE2002.pdf.

The list of competencies from which examination items are developed is available at www.ndeb.ca/en/accredited/competencies.htm.

II Schedule

III Identification

Candidates will receive a candidate identification (ID) card on the day of the examination. The back of the ID card may be used for calculation or rough notes. Candidates must take the ID card with them from station to station during the examination, and leave it at the last station at the end of each session. Failure to return the ID card may result in a Fail for the examination. Removing any paper with copied test items or notes from the examination location is PROHIBITED and will be considered as compromising the integrity of the examination. The consequences of such actions are delineated in NDEB By-law 19.01. The NDEB will verify that all ID cards are returned.

IV OSCE Examination Instructions

YOUR ANSWER SCORE SHEET WILL BE PROCESSED BY A COMPUTER, THEREFORE, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

1. Enter your NAME and your assigned NDEB IDENTIFICATION NUMBER in the indicated areas on the answer score sheet as illustrated below. All other areas remain blank.
2. Use a standard (wood) lead pencil (No. 2 or HB) only. No other writing devices (e.g. mechanical pencils; pens or felt-type markers) are allowed in the examination area.
3. Make heavy black marks that completely fill the circle.
4. If you change your answer, make sure that the original mark is thoroughly erased. Mechanical erasers are not allowed in the examination.
5. Make no stray marks on the answer score sheet.
6. Ensure that you record your answer(s) in the correct place opposite the correct question number.
                                                                                                                           

7. Any candidate writing on, or marking examination material, other than the score sheet and the ID card will be dismissed from the examination and will be given a Fail for the examination.
8. Note that when viewing the print of the radiographs, you are facing the patient.
9. The transfer of answers to the computer score sheet MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN THE EXAMINATION SESSION TIME. ADDITIONAL TIME WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.
10. The FDI two-digit tooth numbering system (below) is used in all examinations.
    

 

FDI NUMBERING SYSTEM
PERMANENT DENTITION
1.8	1.7	1.6	1.5	1.4	1.3	1.2	1.1			2.1	2.2	2.3	2.4	2.5	2.6	2.7	2.8
4.8	4.7	4.6	4.5	4.4	4.3	4.2	4.1			3.1	3.2	3.3	3.4	3.5	3.6	3.7	3.8
Right									Left
PRIMARY DENTITION
			5.5	5.4	5.3	5.2	5.1			6.1	6.2	6.3	6.4	6.5
			8.5	8.4	8.3	8.2	8.1			7.1	7.2	7.3	7.4	7.5
			Right						Left

a. Sample Questions to Illustrate Examination Format

Examination questions are generally in the format illustrated below.

SAMPLE STATION S1


Using the print of radiograph Sample1, answer the following question on the answer score sheet.



Radiograph Sample1

Sample Question: 1 (Select ONE OR MORE correct answers.)
There is radiographic evidence of caries on the

A. distal of tooth 4.3.
B. mesial of tooth 4.4.
C. distal of tooth 4.4.
D. mesial of tooth 4.5.
E. distal of tooth 4.5.
F. mesial of tooth 4.6.
G. distal of tooth 4.6.
H. mesial of tooth 4.7.
I. distal of tooth 4.7.
J. mesial of tooth 4.8.
K. distal of tooth 4.8.

Answer:

Answer:  

b. Sample Case History

Many questions include patient case histories in the format illustrated below.

Using the following information and radiograph ____ , answer the following question on the answer score sheet.

Patient Information:
Age: 58
Blood Pressure: 120/80 mmHg
Gender: Male
Pulse Rate: 72 bpm
Height: 180cm (5’11”)
Respiration Rate: 14/min
Weight: 70kg (154lbs)
Temperature: 37?C (98.6°F)

Chief Complaint: “My dentures are loose.”

History of Chief Complaint: Has noticed looseness increasing for past 2 years.

Dental History: Present dentures 20 years old.

Medical History:
Significant Findings: None
Current Medication: None
Allergies: None

Social/Family History:
Significant Findings: Smoker, ½ package/day for past 20 years.
Alcohol consumption: 7 drinks/week.

Clinical Examination:
Significant Findings:
Extraoral: None
Intraoral: See chart.

Sample Question: 2 (Select ONE correct answer.)
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis for the radiographic entity indicated by the arrow(s)?

A. Normal tooth.
B. Calcifying tooth crown.
C. Developing root apex.
D. Hypercementosis.
E. Attrition.
F. Tooth fracture.
G. Rarefying osteitis/apical periodontitis.
H. Periapical cemento-osseous dysplasia.
I. Odontoma.
J. Dens invaginatus/dens-in-dente.
K. Dentin dysplasia.
L. Dentinogenesis imperfecta.
M. Amelogenesis imperfecta.
N. Enamel hypoplasia/Turner’s tooth.
O. Regional odontodysplasia.

Answer: 

c. Sample Periodontal Chart

The following represents an example of a periodontal chart that may be seen on the OSCE exam. Each chart will utilize the following notation:

• The upper half of the chart denotes the findings on the vestibular (buccal and/or labial) surfaces of the teeth being discussed for the case.
• Missing teeth are denoted by a large “X”.
• Pocketing depths, in millimeters, are listed in the next row below the tooth number.
• Recession, if significant, is listed below the pocketing, in millimeters. If there is no number, there is no significant recession.
• Bleeding on probing, if significant, is denoted by “•”, and is listed directly below the pocket where bleeding was found.
• The Class (I, II, III) of furcation involvement (if present) is listed in the next row with the surface indicated (B, L, M, D).
• Mobility for that tooth, if present, is listed as a “1, 2, or 3”, using the Miller classification.
• The bottom half of the chart denotes the findings for the lingual surfaces, using the same categories as above, except for mobility (which was shown above and applies to the entire tooth).

This particular example is a chart of the maxillary second quadrant, with tooth 2.6 missing. The probing depths, in millimeters, are listed, going from mesial on the left, to distal on the right. In this example, there is 3mm recession all along the buccal of teeth 2.4 and 2.5. No other recession is noted. There is bleeding on probing on the mesiobuccal and distobuccal of teeth 2.5 and 2.7, and all along the lingual of tooth 2.7. No other bleeding is noted. Tooth 2.7 has a buccal furcation class III and a class 2 mobility. There are no other mobilities or furcation involvements.

d. Prescriptions

For stations requiring a prescription to be written, blank prescription forms, as illustrated below, will be available at the station.

Enter your NDEB ID number where indicated on the prescription. Write the appropriate prescription for the patient as described in the case history at the station.

Use your pencil to write the prescription, but do not sign the prescription.

Drop the prescription into the box at the station before leaving the station.

Station S
Page 2 of 2

THE NATIONAL DENTAL EXAMINING BOARD OF CANADA
STATION  S

Question:                                              NDEB ID# _______________

DOCTOR XXX XXXXX
100 ANYWHERE STREET
ANYWHERE CITY, CANADA

DATE: ________________

NAME: _________________________

ADDRESS: _________________________

_________________________

_________________________

Rx

____NO REPEAT

____REPEAT ____ TIME(S)

SIGNATURE XXXXXXXXX
(DO NOT SIGN PRESCRIPTION)

All OSCE Examination questions are developed from standardized template questions. Specific question details such as appropriate case histories, radiographs, photographs, casts and models are added to the template questions. Candidates should review the OSCE Examination template questions in detail during their preparation so that they are familiar with the question style and content.
The following released Examination is available in PDF Format.

• NDEB OSCE Examination Template Questions (PDF 350 KB)

V Examination Scoring

An example of the scoring system follows. The score for each answer is given to the left of each answer.

1. Single Correct Answer
   Some questions have 1 correct answer, as indicated by the direction “Select ONE correct answer.”. Select the most likely answer or most appropriate answer. A correct answer will receive a score of one (“1”); an incorrect answer will receive a zero (“0”) score.

Question: 1 (Select ONE correct answer.)
Orthodontic treatment (dental and/or skeletal) for this patient

2. One or More Correct Answers
   Some questions have one or more correct answers, as indicated by the direction “Select ONE OR MORE correct answers.”. Select all answers that are correct. The maximum score for any question is one (“1”). The minimum score for any question is zero (“0”). Part marks will be awarded if some, but not all correct answers are selected, provided no incorrect answer is selected. Marks will be deducted for incorrect responses, but no question will receive a score less than zero (“0”). Some answers are neither definitely correct nor incorrect and have been given a value of zero (“0”). Selecting one of these answers will not affect the score given to a candidate. But, if a definitely incorrect answer is selected the candidate will receive a zero (“0”) score for the whole question.

Question: 2 (Select ONE OR MORE correct answers.)
There is radiographic evidence of caries on the

3. Prescriptions
   Questions that require the writing of a prescription will be scored from a minimum of zero (“0”) to a maximum of four (“4”).

VI Reference Texts

A list of textbooks and references commonly used in DDS/DMD programs is available at www.ndeb.ca/en/accredited/reference.htm

The Question and Answer Framework for the OSCE is available at www.ndeb.ca/en/accredited/documents/OSCE2002.pdf
Candidates are strongly encouraged to visit the website in preparation for the examination.

VII Examination Regulations

1. Family or friends must not accompany a candidate as space at the examination centre is provided ONLY for candidates and staff.
2. Candidates must be punctual for both sessions of the examination. Candidates arriving late for an examination session may not be admitted.
3. Candidates must only use a standard (wood) lead pencil (No. 2 or HB) and block erasers during the examination. No other writing (e.g. mechanical pencils, pens, felt-type markers or others) or erasing devices are allowed in the examination area. Candidates must not bring recording devices, radios, cameras, portable telephones, pagers or other electronic aids/devices into the examination room.
4. The ability of a candidate to read, interpret and comply with instructions and other written material is part of the examination. Test Administrators and invigilators will not answer questions involving examination content.
5. Candidates may not use dictionaries, calculators or other informative material.
6. Candidates requiring special examination accommodation due to diagnosed medical conditions must request special consideration in writing to the NDEB office within 2 weeks of receipt of confirmation of registration in the examinations. The request must include a medical certificate signed by a physician indicating the diagnosis and accommodation measures required.
7. Food and/or drink are not allowed in the examination area unless special consideration for medical reasons has been granted by the NDEB office. The request must include a medical certificate signed by a physician indicating the diagnosis and accommodation measures required.
8. Once the examination is in progress, any candidate who leaves the examination room for any reason, including the use of washroom facilities, WILL NOT be allowed to re-enter unless special consideration for medical reasons has been granted by the NDEB office. The request must include a medical certificate signed by a physician indicating the diagnosis and accommodation measures required.
9. Candidates are prohibited from copying or otherwise obtaining answers from other candidates; from providing answers to other candidates and from talking or otherwise disrupting the conduct of the examination. Candidates are responsible for ensuring that their answers are not visible to any other candidate. Candidates must be aware that the NDEB uses a software program to identify suspicious answer similarities between pairs of candidates and may void the results of both candidates involved in suspicious occurrences identified by the software program.
10. All candidates must move to the next station immediately after hearing the signal. The transfer of answers to the computer answer score sheet MUST be completed within the examination session time. ADDITIONAL TIME WILL NOT BE ALLOWED
11. Candidates are prohibited from removing test material, including the NDEB Identification Card and answer score sheet, from the examination room and from copying or making notes of any test item. Candidates must leave all examination material at their final station or as directed by the Test Administrator.
12. Candidates are reminded that all examination material is copyrighted. Any attempt to reproduce or assemble NDEB examination material is strictly prohibited and will be prosecuted.
13. Candidates may use magnification aids such as magnifying glasses or loupes.
14. Any prescription not submitted as directed, not legible, or, submitted with a missing NDEB Identification Number or an incorrect NDEB Identification Number, will receive a zero (“0”) score.
15. Candidates who do not abide with the above Examination Regulations will receive a zero (“0”) score for the examination. Answer score sheets and the NDEB ID card must be left at the last station of each session. Failure to return the NDEB ID card at the end of any session may result in the candidate receiving a zero (“0”) score for the examination.

VIII Passing Standard

In order to assure a consistent level of difficulty, the NDEB uses test equating and re-scaling procedures to correlate candidate raw scores to scores on a reference examination and to a standardized passing score of 65. All candidates must obtain a minimum test equated, re-scaled score of 65 to be successful in the OSCE Examination. Candidates who attain a test equated, re-scaled score of 65 or greater will receive a result of Pass. Candidates who achieve a test equated, re-scaled score of less than 65 will receive a result of Fail. Candidates who receive a Fail result will also be given their test equated, re-scaled score.

Candidates must be aware that the examination may contain a number of questions that are being tested and that these questions may not contribute to any candidate’s result.

IX Results

The results of the OSCE Examination will be posted on a secure website that will be accessible using the secure code provided at the time of initial registration. Posting of results will normally be done within 6 weeks and an e-mail notification of the posting will be sent to candidates.

RESULTS WILL NOT BE RELEASED BY TELEPHONE OR FAX.