The American Board of Dental Public Health

Incorporated 1950

Board Examination Guide

and
Diplomate Information
Revised May 2023

Sponsoring Organization:
American Association of Public Health Dentistry

Email: executive.director@abdph.org
Table of Contents
DEFINITION OF THE SPECIALTY ........................................................................................................... 2
HISTORY ............................................................................................................................................ 2
DIRECTORS OF THE ABDPH ................................................................................................................. 2
ABDPH BOARD EXAMINATION ........................................................................................................... 2
ELIGIBILITY FOR BOARD EXAMINATION .............................................................................................. 3
ADVANCED DENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH PREPARATION ............................................................................ 4
APPLICATIONS ................................................................................................................................... 4
BOARD CERTIFICATION....................................................................................................................... 5
EXAMINATION FEES ........................................................................................................................... 5
CANDIDATE POSTPONEMENT OF THE BOARD EXAMINATION .............................................................. 6
RE-EXAMINATION & REMEDIATION .................................................................................................... 6
APPEALS ............................................................................................................................................ 7
ANNUAL REGISTRATION ..................................................................................................................... 2
RECERTIFICATION ............................................................................................................................... 2
LISTING OF DIPLOMATES .................................................................................................................... 4
VERIFICATION OF DIPLOMATE STATUS................................................................................................ 4
LIFE MEMBERSHIP.............................................................................................................................. 4
POLICY ON DISCRIMINATION .............................................................................................................. 4
CANDIDATES WITH DISABILITIES ......................................................................................................... 4
AAPHD FOUNDATION LOTZKAR FUND ................................................................................................ 5
CONTACT INFORMATION.................................................................................................................... 5
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST ..................................................................................................................... 5
TESTING POLICIES............................................................................................................................... 5
Appendices ........................................................................................................................................ 7
A. ABDPH BOARD EXAMINATION DESCRIPTION ............................................................................... 7
B. 2024 EXAM FEE SCHEDULE‡ ...................................................................................................... 11
C. PAYMENT INFORMATION.......................................................................................................... 11
D. Frequently Asked Questions about Retaking the Board Exam ..................................................... 12
DEFINITION OF THE SPECIALTY
Dental Public Health is the science and art of preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting
dental health through organized community efforts. It is the form of dental practice that serves the
community as a patient rather than the individual. It is concerned with the dental health education of
the public, with applied dental research, and with the administration of group dental care programs,
as well as the prevention and control of dental diseases on a community basis. Implicit in this
definition is the requirement that the specialist have broad knowledge and skills in public health
administration, research methodology, the prevention and control of oral diseases, and the delivery and
financing of oral health care.

HISTORY
The American Board of Dental Public Health (ABDPH) was incorporated under the laws of the State of
Colorado in July 1950. The ABDPH was organized in accordance with the Requirements for Approval of
Examining Boards in Dental Specialties of the American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Dental
Education and Licensure. The ADA formally recognized Dental Public Health as a dental specialty in
October 1950 and the ADA House of Delegates officially designated the ABDPH as the national
examining and certifying agency for the specialty in October 1951. The ADA reviewed the ABDPH in
1986, 2001, 2011, and 2021. Currently, the ADA reviews recognized specialties on a 10-year cycle. The
ABDPH is a not‐for‐profit organization.

DIRECTORS OF THE ABDPH

As defined in its Articles of Incorporation, the purposes of the Directors of the ABDPH, henceforth
known as “the Board” are:
1. To protect and improve the public’s health by the study and creation of standards for the
practice of Dental Public Health in all its aspects and relationships.
2. To grant and issue Dental Public Health specialty certificates to dentists who have successfully
completed the prescribed training and experience requisite for acquiring the special knowledge
and ability needed for the practice of Dental Public Health; and
3. To ensure continuing competency of Dental Public Health specialists.

The Board receives neither salaries nor compensation for services. The Board shall determine a
candidate’s eligibility only after a comprehensive review of the candidate’s application and is not
authorized to provide informal opinions about the eligibility of candidates.

ABDPH BOARD EXAMINATION

Upon completion of Dental Public Health preparation (See section on Advanced Dental Public Health
Preparation), a dentist can apply for the ABDPH Board Examination to be certified as a specialist, known
as a “Diplomate.”

The Board Examination has two parts consisting of: (1) the Qualifying Examination, and (2) the Certifying
Examination. Both examinations are administered annually. The Qualifying Examination tests the
candidate’s wide-ranging knowledge of the theory and practice of Dental Public Health (DPH). The
Certifying Examination tests general knowledge of public health and the application of the 10 DPH
Competency Statements (See Appendix A for Examination description).

Both exams are generally administered in the spring, usually preceding the National Oral Health
Conference. Exam sites are typically selected one year in advance and posted on the American Board of
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Dental Public Health website, www.abdph.org. In the event of public health emergencies or other crises,
the Board may administer the examination by using virtual technology.

ELIGIBILITY FOR BOARD EXAMINATION

Requirements for eligibility to be examined by the Board are as follows:
1. Moral and ethical standing in the dental profession to a degree satisfactory to the Board.
2. Graduation from a school of dentistry accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation
(CODA) or from a Canadian dental school with accreditation recognized by CODA. Dentists
educated in other countries must possess equivalent dental education as deemed by the Board.
3. Education in public health, which shall include successful completion of at least two years of
advanced preparation for the practice of Dental Public Health.

The term “eligible” describes the status of a candidate whose application, credentials, and supporting
documents have been reviewed and approved by the Board. Figure 1 illustrates that candidates must
become eligible for the Qualifying Exam and the Certifying Exam separately. Candidates shall comply
with regulations in effect for the year in which they are taking the examination, regardless of the date of
application.

Figure 1. Eligibility Process

No INELIGIBLE
QUALIFYING Reapply for
APPROVAL? Qualifying Exam

Yes

Take Qualifying
Exam within 3 years

No
QUALIFYING REMEDIATE
PASSED? Qualifying Exam

Yes
APPLY FOR
Board Eligibility and
Certifying Exam
within 5 years

No INELIGIBLE
CERTIFICATION Reapply for
APPROVAL? Certifying Exam
Yes

BOARD ELIGIBLE
Take Certifying
Exam within 5 years

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Eligible:
• Candidates declared eligible by the Board for the Qualifying Examination must take and pass the
examination within three years. No extensions will be granted.
• Candidates declared eligible by the Board for the Certifying Examination must take and pass the
examination within five years.
• Candidates for the Certifying Examination may be granted one extension of five years at the
Board’s discretion, and upon payment of an additional fee (Refer to Appendix B, FEE SCHEDULE).
Ineligible:
• Candidates declared ineligible for either Qualifying or Certifying Examination may reapply for
the respective exam within three years of the original filing date without paying an additional
application fee.

ADVANCED DENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH PREPARATION

According to the ADA Council on Dental Education and Licensure, a Diplomate must have successfully
completed an advanced education program in Dental Public Health. There are two pathways governing
the Board’s evaluation of previous Dental Public Health education:
1. A program accredited by CODA of at least two academic years of study leading to a master-level
or doctoral-level graduate degree in Dental Public Health. Specifically, the course content shall
include biostatistics; epidemiology; health care policy and management; environmental health;
and behavioral sciences.
—OR—
2. (A) Completion of a graduate‐level degree in public health, which shall include courses in
biostatistics, epidemiology, health care policy and management, environmental health, and
behavioral sciences. The typical degree is the Master of Public Health (MPH), but related
degrees including doctoral‐level degrees are acceptable, if course requirements are met. The
degree must be from an educational institution accredited by a body recognized by the U.S.
Department of Education at the time the degree was conferred. Canadian graduate degrees may
be acceptable, providing graduate coursework and requirements are equivalent to U.S. graduate
degrees as deemed by the Board.
—AND—
(B) Successful completion of a CODA-accredited Dental Public Health residency program. The
length must be at least 12 months full‐time or the equivalent in part‐time. Part‐time residencies
may not exceed twice the length of a full‐time residency. Currently accredited Dental Public
Residency Programs include training on all aspects of dental public health, planned instruction,
observation, and active participation in public health programming.

APPLICATIONS
Each component of the Board Examination has its own application with respective deadlines and fees.
Deadlines are for the year prior to the date the candidate wishes to take the exam. If deadlines are
missed, the candidate will have to take the examination the next year.
1. Qualifying Examination Application:
a. Candidates may attempt the written Qualifying Examination (QE) near the end of their
advanced Dental Public Health preparation program, if at least 75% of the educational
preparation has been completed.
b. A candidate must take and pass the QE prior to applying for the Certifying Examination.
c. Applications for the QE must be received by December 1 of the year prior to that in
which the applicant wishes to take the examination.

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 d. The QE application is available on the ABDPH website, www.abdph.org. The application
must be signed by the candidate and all components must be uploaded to the ABDPH
website. For questions, please email the Executive Director at
executive.director@abdph.org. Notification of eligibility to take the QE is sent to
candidates on or about February 1 of the year of the examination. Any candidate
declared ineligible for the QE has up to three years to meet any outstanding
requirements, without incurring additional fees.
e. NOTE: Eligibility to take the QE does not guarantee that the applicant will be eligible for
the subsequent Certifying Exam. All requirements must be met to qualify for the
Certifying Exam.
2. Certifying Examination Application.
a. The Certifying Examination (CE) application must be received by August 15 of the year
prior to a candidate’s intended examination date.
b. The CE application is available at www.abdph.org on June 1 of the year prior to the
exam. The application must be submitted electronically via the web-portal along with:
i. Curriculum vitae
ii. Degree in dentistry (photocopy of degree or official transcript)
iii. Certificate or graduate degree in dental public health —or —degree in public
health and residency certificate in dental public health (photocopy of degree or
official transcripts)
iv. Additional documentation as requested. The Board may request transcripts or
course syllabi to support transcripts. For example, for degrees other than an
MPH, a transcript may be required to document requirements have been met.
Or, for courses with vague names, a syllabus may be required to document that
requirements have been met.
c. The Board will review candidates for Board Eligibility, and candidates will be notified of
eligibility by September 25. Candidates declared ineligible for the CE have up to three
years to meet any outstanding requirements, without incurring additional fees. Once
candidates are declared Board Eligible, they must challenge the Certifying Exam within
five years.
d. The eligible candidate must submit two (2) Project Reports as separate PDF files by
October 1 of the year prior to the candidate’s intended examination date. Candidates
who receive notification from the Executive Director that there are problems with one
or both Project Reports should reply immediately. If deadlines are missed, the candidate
will not be able to take the examination in the intended year.
e. Candidates will be notified of any failure of the Project Report(s) (PR) by February 1.
Candidates who fail either PR cannot proceed.
f. The specific dates for the oral portions of the CE are given at least 60 days in advance.

BOARD CERTIFICATION
Candidates who successfully complete the Certifying Examination shall be designated as
Diplomates of the American Board of Dental Public Health. Diplomates must maintain the moral and
ethical precepts of the ABDPH. Diplomates will be issued ten‐year, time-limited certificates signed by the
Board, to recognize exceptional knowledge and skills in Dental Public Health.

EXAMINATION FEES
Examination fees are due at the time of application or written Project Report submission. The total cost
for the examination is paid in three installments:
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 1. The fee for Qualifying Examination is due at the time of submitting the application for that
examination.
2. The fee for the Board Eligibility determination is due at the time of submitting the Certifying
Exam application.
3. The fee for the Certifying Examination is due when the exam commences, upon submitting the
two Project Reports.

The Board reserves the right to change the fee structure, content, and procedures of the ABDPH Board
Examination (See Appendix B for the fee schedule).

CANDIDATE POSTPONEMENT OF THE BOARD EXAMINATION

Candidates should recognize that scientific knowledge advances with time — and that postponing the
Board Examination may thus impact their performance and scores. Nonetheless, if a candidate has a
scheduling conflict, the following applies:
1. QE:
a. A candidate forfeits the full examination fee by failing to take the examination.
b. Barring any extenuating circumstances, a candidate forfeits 50% of the examination fee for
administrative costs by cancelling after the exam orientation. 50% of the fee will be credited
to the candidate.
c. A candidate forfeits the full examination fee by receiving a failing score grade (below 70%).
2. CE:
a. For eligible candidates, the fee is valid for 5 years.
b. If candidate postpones the Oral CE Sections after February 1, the candidate must inform
the Executive Director as soon as possible. Barring any extenuating circumstances, the full
remediation fee will be required to reschedule.

When a Candidate who has previously postponed the QE or CE is ready to take the exam, they must
confirm their intent to take the exam with the Executive Director. The deadlines for new applications
apply (e.g., a Candidate who previously postponed the QE must notify the Executive Director of their
intent to take the QE on or before December 1).

RE-EXAMINATION & REMEDIATION

Candidates who fail either the QE or any part of the CE can apply to be re-examined. Note that
additional fees will apply. Applications for re-examination must meet the same deadline as new
applications. The candidates for re-examination do not need to submit new reference letters.
1. A candidate who fails the QE can retake it up to two additional times with payment of the
appropriate fee.
2. Candidates failing the written PR cannot proceed to the remaining Oral CE sections. PR failures
must be remediated with new or revised projects. Candidates should contact the Executive
Director to discuss the options and the Board’s recommendations. The one section remediation
fee applies whether one or both PRs received failing scores. Candidates may only remediate
failures on the written Project Reports one time.
3. Candidates who fail any part of the oral CE sections shall be accepted for one re-examination by
the full Board.
a. If the candidate is unsuccessful on one oral section of the CE, that section of the
examination needs to be remediated, and the candidate pays the one section
remediation fee.

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 b. If the candidate is unsuccessful on both oral sections of the CE, at a minimum, both oral
sections must be remediated, and the candidate will pay the full remediation fee. It will
be at the discretion of the Board as to whether the written PRs will also be re-examined.
4. If a candidate fails the re-examination, the candidate must discuss requirements for a
remediation plan, as determined by the Board, with the Executive Director. Such candidates will
be required to submit satisfactory evidence to the Board of additional formal training or
supervised field experience in Dental Public Health before they can re-apply for the Certifying
Examination.

Upon request, a candidate may receive from the Executive Director the results for each section of the CE
and the final score. Written requests must be submitted within 60 days of completing the examination.
Exams are not returned to the applicant for review for any reason, including an appeal.

APPEALS
A candidate who takes either the QE or CE has the right to appeal due to one of the following
circumstances:
a. A procedural or clerical error occurred during the administration of the examination.
—or —
b. Unusual circumstances may have affected a candidate’s performance during the
examination.
1. Regardless of the outcome of an appeal, examinations are not re-scored. The only permissible
remedy in the case of a successful appeal is the re-examination the following year.
2. Each appeal is subject to a non‐refundable fee.
3. All correspondence regarding an appeal will be through the Executive Director. Any
correspondence becomes part of the candidate’s file but does not modify or alter any decision
made by the Board.
4. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Executive Director within fourteen (14) days of the
examination. The written appeal should be dated, identify in concise terms the decision being
appealed, and provide a brief outline of the reasons for the appeal.
5. No decision shall become final while an appeal is pending or until the fourteen (14) day period
for filing notice of appeal has elapsed.
6. The appeal will be reviewed to see if it meets the criteria. The appellant will be notified in
writing of the receipt of the appeal, and whether the appeal will receive further review. If the
appeal merits further review, the Board will respond within sixty (60) days from receipt of
appeal.
7. Appeals Review Process:
a. An Appeals Committee (AC) must be formed, which consists of the President from two
years prior and two current Board Directors.
b. The AC will review the appeal and all relevant facts and submit their recommendation to
the Board.
c. The final decision will then be transmitted by the Executive Director to the appellant.
d. If the decision is not acceptable to the appellant, the appellant has thirty (30) days to
submit a second appeal.
e. A second committee, the Appeals Panel, is formed by the Board. The Appeals Panel
consists of three past presidents (not including the past president serving on the AC).
The Appeals Panel has sixty (60) days to process this appeal. If the appeal necessitates a
hearing, the hearing will be scheduled at the next annual meeting of the Board. The

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 appellant will incur the costs of their respective travel, and the Board will cover the
travel costs for Appeals Panel members.
f. The recommendation of the Appeals Panel will be provided to the Board, which in turn
will review it and submit its second and final response to the appellant.

ANNUAL REGISTRATION
As a Dental Specialty, the ABDPH is required by the ADA to collect annual registration fees from
Diplomates. The fee is due in January, and the current cost of the annual registration fee is published
every year along with registration materials. Active Diplomates receive a copy of the Board’s annual
financial report during the Annual Meeting of the Board or may request a copy by emailing the
Executive Director.

Although not required, the Board encourages membership in the ADA, the American Public Health
Association, and in its sponsoring organization, the American Association of Public Health
Dentistry. Diplomates may also wish to join such organizations as the Hispanic Dental Association, the
National Dental Association, and the Society of American Indian Dentists.

If the annual registration fee is not paid, the Diplomate is not in good standing and the following will
occur:
(1) The Diplomate’s name will not appear in the list of Active Diplomates, www.abdph.org;
(2) The Diplomate’s name will not be included in the list that the Executive Director sends to the
American Dental Association’s Council on Dental Education and Licensure each year; and
(3) Verification requests for a Diplomate’s status will include "not in good standing" in the reply.

To be reinstated to active status, the Diplomate must pay the unpaid annual registration fees and any
assessed reinstatement fees. For further information, contact the Executive Director at
executive.director@abdph.org.

RECERTIFICATION
The process of recertification promotes life-long le arning and ensures that Diplomates are of the
highest quality for service to the public and the profession. Every ten‐year period, Diplomates must
attain recertification. Diplomates must have at least 150 hours of continuing education units (CEUs) in
Dental Public Health over 10 years. The requirement for recertification applies only to Diplomates first
certified on or after January 1, 2000. Recertification information is available online at www.abdph.org,
under the Diplomate’s Tab.
1. The Standards and Recertification Committee (SRC) consists of two active Diplomates, one
current Board member, and the Executive Director. The SRC may audit Diplomates who are due
for recertification. However, every year, the SRC must audit at least 10% of those due for
recertification. The SRC reports to the Board. The Board votes to approve Diplomates’
recertification, and issues new ten‐year certificates.
2. Recertification includes the following steps:
a. Complete the ABDPH Recertification Application
b. Complete the ABDPH Summary Report of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for the
relevant 10‐year period. The form is available at www.abdph.org.
c. Include PDF file of CEUs documentation and the Recertification fee
d. Submit proof of all CE documents to the Executive Director, if selected for audit

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 2. Diplomates are responsible for maintaining their respective CEUs including copies and
summaries documenting compliance with the Recertification Process.
3. Although some active Diplomates may be exempt from the requirement, the Board urges all
Diplomates to apply for recertification in 10-year intervals. If a Diplomate was certified prior to
January 1, 2000 and desires recertification, there is no fee.
4. Acceptable continuing education includes learning activities that contribute to maintaining or
enhancing competency in Dental Public Health including:
a. Scholarly activity, such as manuscripts published in peer‐reviewed journals,
presentations at scientific meetings and providing continuing education courses and
lectures.
b. Documentation of attendance or letters of completion from the American Association of
Public Health Dentistry, International or American Associations for Dental Research,
American Public Health Association, Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors,
and other recognized national and international organizations that have institutionalized
continuing professional development programs related to the competencies in Dental
Public Health are acceptable.
c. Documentation of attendance or letters of completion from other sponsors of
continuing education relevant to the field of Dental Public Health if the activities can be
directly linked to the Dental Public Health Competency Statements (J Public Health Dent
2016; 76 (Suppl): S3‐S28).
d. Authorship of publications related to Dental Public Health. A publication is defined as a
book, a chapter of a book, or a paper published in a professional journal. Publications of
manuals, workshop proceedings, and background papers are also acceptable. The
acceptable number of credits will vary from 5 to 10 depending upon the nature of the
publication.
e. Attendance at formal lectures, symposia, workshops, and conferences relevant to the
field of Dental Public Health. This activity will be given credit provided the material
present organize around and directed toward identified competency statements. The
number of credits will be equal to the number of hours attended.
f. Completion of individualized continuing education instruction. Individualized instruction
is defined as a course of study that is structured and organized toward accomplishing
competency in Dental Public Health. The instruction must include a method for
providing feedback to the learner on performance. Documentation of the number of
credits must be available for audit.
g. Learning activities that are repeated on a periodic basis will be given credit only once in
a ten‐year period. The routine performance of teaching duties in an undergraduate or
graduate curriculum or the routine participation in organizational meetings will not be
given credits.
5. Diplomates may appeal the findings of the SRC. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the
Executive Director along with appropriate documents within sixty (60) days of the notification.
The appeal should clearly identify the areas of disagreement and provide supporting evidence.
The appeal will be reviewed by the Board and responded to within sixty (60) days of receipt.
6. The Board may issue a conditional recertification to a Diplomate without the adequate CEUs, if
the Diplomate agrees to make up any deficiencies.
7. It is the responsibility of each Diplomate to submit required documentation of CEUs in a timely
manner. Failure to submit documentation may be considered a departure from the tenets of
sound dental public health practice. The Board reserves the right to revoke a Diplomate's
Certification for failure to submit evidence of CEUs in a timely manner.
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LISTING OF DIPLOMATES
A listing of Diplomates is updated and submitted annually to the ADA Council on Dental Education and
Licensure. A copy of this list is available upon request from the Executive Director.

VERIFICATION OF DIPLOMATE STATUS

Requests for verification must be submitted electronically at www.abdph.org/Verification. Requests
must include a signed general release of information and remittance of the appropriate fee (See
Appendix C for Payment Information).

LIFE MEMBERSHIP
Diplomates who are fully retired from the practice of Dentistry, Dental Public Health, or Public Health
may apply for Life Membership. Details are available at www.abdph.org/Life-Membership. Diplomates
must be in good standing, must be current on their annual registration fees, and must maintain the
moral and ethical precepts of the specialty.
1. Benefits of Life Membership:
a. Listed on ABDPH website,
b. Receive ABDPH Newsletters,
c. Pay no Annual Registration Fees,
d. Do not need to Recertify,
e. Receive the invitation to the Annual Diplomates Dinner and Business Meeting at the
same cost as other Diplomates, and
f. Other benefits that the Board deems appropriate.
2. Criteria for Life Membership:
a. No Fee Applications
i. Active Diplomates for 20 years or more, who are completely retired from the
practice of Dentistry, Dental Public Health, or Public Health.
ii. Active Diplomates for 10 years or more, who are age 65 years or older and
completely retired from the practice of Dentistry, Dental Public Health, or Public
Health.
b. One-Time Fee Applications (See Appendix B for fee schedule)
i. Active Diplomates for fewer than 10 years, who are completely retired from the
practice of Dentistry, Dental Public Health, or Public Health.
ii. Diplomates who are retired from the full‐time practice of Dental Public Health
or Public Health but continue to practice Dentistry part-time no more than 200
hours per year (0.1 FTE).
3. The Board will review the application. The Diplomate will be notified via E-mail of the Board’s
decision.

POLICY ON DISCRIMINATION
The ABDPH does not condone or accept discrimination or harassment based on age, gender, ethnicity,
race, religion, sexual orientation, place of education, or country of origin or residence. The Board will
consider all complaints filed in writing, investigate, and respond accordingly.

CANDIDATES WITH DISABILITIES

The Board complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act by ensuring that persons with disabilities
have physical access to the testing facilities. Further, the Board will administer the examination in a
manner that can accommodate a candidate with disabilities. The application forms provide space for
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indicating a disability, and the Board solicits suggestions as to how the disability can be best
accommodated.

Candidates requiring accommodation are encouraged to contact the Executive Director. The Board will
provide modifications, where possible, for candidates with disabilities.

AAPHD FOUNDATION LOTZKAR FUND

The Lotzkar Fund was established in 2003 to honor Dr. Stanley Lotzkar and his wife, Phyllis Lotzkar.
Dr. Lotzkar was a leader in Dental Public Health and provided 21 years of exemplary service to the Board
as Executive Secretary. The Lotzkar Fund is used solely to advance the mission and objectives of the
ABDPH and is administered by the American Association of Public Health Dentistry Foundation. Criteria
for funding by the Lotzkar Fund are:
1. To support the development of new initiatives of the Board;
2. To support maintenance of standards and competency in Dental Public Health; and
3. To support curriculum development in Dental Public Health.

Donations can be made to the AAPHD Foundation Lotzkar Fund at www.aaphd.org/lotzkar-fund.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Candidates or Diplomates with questions or concerns should email the Executive Director,
executive.director@abdph.org.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The Board takes into serious consideration issues of fairness, conflicts of interest, and transparency. The
Board is comprised of active Diplomates who may have mentored candidates or are current or former
Program Directors. Thus, Board members with conflicts of interest are required to recuse themselves
from discussions about the respective candidate’s application, may not score the candidate’s PRs, and
may not serve as the candidate’s examiner during the Certification Examination. Board members with a
conflict of interest may not serve as a reference for an applicant.

TESTING POLICIES
The Board evaluates all components of the examination annually. Also, after the examination, each
candidate has an opportunity to comment about the examination and processes and to suggest
improvements.
1. The Board strives for fairness through the administration, design, development, implementation,
and scoring of the examinations. The commitment to fairness includes reducing or eliminating bias
in questions and treating all candidates equitably.
2. Test takers have the right to1:
a. Be treated with courtesy, respect, and impartiality, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity,
gender, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics.
b. Be tested with measures that meet professional standards and that are appropriate.
c. Receive a brief oral or written explanation prior to testing about the kind(s) of tests to be used.
d. Know in advance of testing when the test will be administered, when test results will be
available, and if there is a fee for testing services.

1(2022, January 27). Modified from Rights and responsibilities of test takers: Guidelines and expectations.
https://www.apa.org/science/programs/testing/rights
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 e. Present concerns about the testing process or results and receive information about
procedures that will be used to address such concerns.
3. Test takers have the responsibility to1:
a. Treat others with courtesy and respect during the testing process.
b. Ask questions prior to testing if uncertain about why the test is being given, how it will be
given, what test takers will be asked to do, and what will be done with the results.
c. Comply with instruction, either verbal or written, as provided by a member of the Board or the
Executive Director.
d. Inform the Executive Director at the time of application of any request for a testing
accommodation, or of a physical condition or illness that may interfere with performance on
the test.
e. Know when and where the test will be given, pay for the test if required, appear on time with
any required materials, and be ready to be tested.
4. The Board Exam is offered only in English. As is required by the Requirements for Recognition of
Dental Specialties, “Each board shall require, for eligibility for certification as a diplomate, the
successful completion of an advanced education program accredited by the Commission on Dental
Accreditation of two or more academic years in length, as specified by the Commission.”2 All
prospective candidates will have completed specialty training conducted in English language in the
U.S. or Canada. Further, demonstrated English competency is required of international candidates as
a condition of acceptance to a U.S. or Canadian program.

ABDPH reserves the right to subject all exam materials, including Project Reports, to plagiarism
checking software. Computer-based testing will also be subject to monitoring. Cases of
plagiarism and other violations will be reviewed by the Board and are subject to disciplinary
action, which could include (but is not limited to) failing the exam and being barred from taking
the exam in the future.

2(2022 January 27). American Dental Association. Requirements for Recognition of Dental Specialties and National
Certifying Boards for Dental Specialists. https://ncrdscb.ada.org/~/media/NCRDSCB/Files/requirements.pdf?la=en
Revised 05/22/2023
 Appendices
A. ABDPH BOARD EXAMINATION DESCRIPTION
The Qualifying Examination is comprised of multiple‐choice (MC) questions (80% of score) and short‐
answer questions (20%). The score for the MC questions is based upon the number of correct
answers; thus, candidates should choose what they consider to be the most correct answer for each
question (do not leave questions unanswered). The Qualifying Examination is administered
electronically by using a commercial testing service. To ensure examination integrity, candidates may
not have any papers, calculators, or cell phones accessible to them. The Board will inform candidates
of the test-taking details and technical requirements prior to the examination date. Candidates are
encouraged to attend the Qualifying Exam Orientation, held virtually, approximately 2 weeks prior to
the Exam. Candidates must also complete a mock exam to gain familiarity with the online platform.
Candidates must score at least 70% to pass and move onto the Certification Examination.

The Certifying Examination has 3 sections totaling 100%:

(1) Written Project Reports (30%);
(2) Oral Examination on the Project Reports (30%); and
(3) Oral Examination on an Assigned Problem (40%).
Each section of the Certification Examination is scored separately and a 70% on each section is
required to pass.

Candidates are encouraged to attend the Certifying Exam Orientation, held virtually,
approximately 2 weeks prior to the scheduled Exam.

Section 1: Written Project Reports

Each report should summarize a Dental Public Health project originated by the candidate, or one in
which the candidate made a major contribution to its planning, implementation, and interpretation.
1. The Project Reports (PRs) should demonstrate a depth of experience in dental public health
and must represent two separate projects (not two reports from one project). Each report
must have distinct methodology and data sources, and at least one report must demonstrate
the analytical and statistical skills of the candidate. The chosen projects must represent an
extensive effort and have been completed within 10 years of the applicant’s examination.
2. Scoring PRs. The Board evaluates the PR as received. Scores will be reduced if required
elements are missing. Candidates are scored based on demonstrating logical processes and
scientific rigor. Clarity in writing and overall style of the report are important. Candidates are
advised to consider syntax, grammar, presentation, formatting, and strict adherence to the
writing guidelines.
3. Acceptable PRs include:
a. administrative program planning and implementation
b. epidemiologic studies
c. health services research studies
d. clinical trials
e. oral health promotion and disease prevention projects
f. meta-analysis (must include quantitative analysis)
g. secondary analyses of collected data (NOTE: applicants may not use the same secondary
data source for two PRs - e.g., NHANES data cannot be used for both PRs)

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 h. other research projects related to Dental Public Health may be acceptable. Contact the
Executive Director if you are unsure.

4. Not acceptable for PRs:

a. Reviews of the literature (e.g., literature reviews, scoping reviews, systematic reviews)
b. Research protocols
c. Grant applications
d. White papers
e. Policy statements
f. Site visit reports
g. Preparations for a conference
5. The research or administrative project must be completed at the time of submission.
Incomplete projects will receive a failing score.
6. The submitted report should be well-written and of publishable quality. The PR should be no
more than 25 double-spaced, numbered pages, including the cover page, table of contents,
abstract, main body of the report, references, tables and figures, and appendices. All margins
should be one inch on standard 8.5 x 11-inch page size. Font should be Times New Roman and
no smaller than 11-point.
7. The Board strongly recommends that the candidate has their final manuscript reviewed by a
Program Director or someone with experience in editing scientific publications.
8. The ABDPH Board format is precisely as follows. Do not alter the order of the sections. Label
sections (bolded items, below); the cover page does not need to be labelled as such.
a. Cover Page. Do not include your name. Include assigned code, PR number, and title of
the project [Example: 2023-007 PR1: My Project’s Title].
b. Table of Contents.
c. Abstract. Structured abstract that are no longer than 250 words with clearly labeled:
Objectives, Methods, Results, and Conclusions/Recommendations.
d. Candidate’s Role. Describe in one or two paragraphs with sufficient level of detail your
specific role. Explain your participation in the planning, implementation,
interpretation, and completion of the project. Candidates must be the originator of, or
a major contributor to, the project. Also include information on any collaborations
pertinent to the project, and how you developed these relationships and worked with
collaborators.
e. Problem Identification. Describe the public health problem addressed in the project.
f. Background and Literature Review. Describe the current pertinent literature.
Candidates should not only describe the studies supporting hypothesis or objectives,
but also should provide some assessment of the quality of the works cited.
g. Objective(s) and Hypothesis(es). Describe study/project objective(s) and/or the
specific hypothesis(es).
h. Methods and Procedures. Provide sufficient information to demonstrate the logical
process and scientific rigor of the approach to test the hypothesis or achieve the
objectives. Include analytic methods with sufficient level of detail. Include information
on how social determinants of health were considered and incorporated into the
project. Reports must also address consideration of human subjects, including consent
and assent, and Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, if applicable. If a study

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 involves human subjects and was exempt from IRB, explain why. In general, an
administrative project would not require an IRB.
i. Results. Aside from text, include self-standing information in tables and graphs.
j. Discussion. This section should be comprehensive and clear, and address the
following:
i. Did the project achieve its objectives?
ii. Did the project support or reject the hypotheses?
iii. How do results agree or disagree with similar studies?
iv. Provide potential reasons for lack for agreement with other studies’ findings.
v. Highlight how results contribute to filling knowledge gaps, resolving
controversies, or providing new knowledge on the topic.
vi. What are the public health implications of the results?
vii. Strengths and limitations of the study. Include what would be done differently
if the project was to be repeated.
k. Conclusions. Emphasize the new and important aspects of the study and
recommendations that follow from them, particularly as these relate to public health
policy.
l. References. Candidates should use the referencing style adopted by the National
Library of Medicine, available at
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/bsd/uniform_requirements.html. All references in the text
must be included in the list of references. References should not be repeated. The
candidate must verify cited references against the original publications. Identify
references with Arabic numerals in parentheses consecutively in the order they are
mentioned in the text. Avoid using abstracts as references. "Unpublished
observations" and "personal communications" may not be used as references.
References to written communications may be inserted in parentheses within the text.
For papers accepted but not yet published, identify the journal, and add "In press."
Information from manuscripts submitted, but not yet accepted, should be cited in the
text as "unpublished observations" (in parentheses).
m. Tables and Figures. Number tables and figures in the order in which they appear in the
report (as described above). Do not cut and paste output directly from statistical
software. Titles should describe the table or image (e.g., population represented, place
of the study, and time/year). Use footnotes to clarify acronyms or groups in the table
that are statistically compared. Use Arabic numbers for each footnote. A large table
can be broken into two components with clarification on the title that the second part
is a continuation of a previous table. Graphs should be easy to understand and used to
clarify an item that is not visually clear in the tables. Make graphs of appropriate size
and clearly label. Do not break a figure across separate pages.
n. Appendices. Appendices are included in the page count. Provide additional
documentation in support of the methods in an appendix. Do not use the Appendix for
figures and tables.

Section 2: Oral Examination on Project Reports

This section of the CE evaluates a candidate’s ability to discuss, defend, and explain various aspects of
dental public health projects, from the previously submitted and accepted PRs.

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 1. For each PR, the candidate must present a five-minute overview of the project, followed by 25
minutes of questions from the examiners.
2. The candidate is encouraged to bring copies of their PRs for their reference. Additionally,
candidates may bring new tables, graphs, and copies of data abstraction or instruments forms
used in the respective projects. No additional reference materials are allowed.
3. Candidates will be expected to answer questions to:
i) display their familiarity with all aspects of their respective PR, including research,
epidemiological, and administrative methodology;
ii) justify selection of the project protocol and consideration of alternatives; and
iii) display general knowledge of topics related to dental public health.

Section 3: Oral Examination on Assigned Problem

This section of the CE is a test of candidates’ ability to analyze and generate solutions to a
hypothetical dental public health problem. A written description and supplementary information
on the Assigned Problem will be given to each candidate on the first day of the Certifying
Examination. Candidates will have approximately 24 hours to prepare their response. An oral
examination of the candidate’s solution to the problem will be conducted the following day.
Candidates will be given 20 minutes to present their proposed solution, followed by 40 minutes of
questions from the examiners. Candidates may bring written notes to this examination for
reference while making their presentation. The Assigned Problem, handouts and notes must be
returned after the presentation.

When Developing a Response to the Assigned Problem:

1. Candidates should appreciate that there is no single correct solution for questions posed for
the Assigned Problem. Responses are expected to be reasonable, practical, and realistic.
2. The candidate may provide a handout to each examiner that summarizes the components
of their solution. Electronic copies, in lieu of paper, may be sent to the Executive Director no
later than two hours before the candidate’s scheduled exam. PowerPoint presentations are
not permitted. Please do not use a font size smaller than 11-pt. Handouts should not exceed
4 pages and should include a budget, a timeline, goals and objectives.

A candidate is expected to demonstrate the following abilities:

1. Understand information provided;
2. Present rational solutions and alternatives based on the available information;
3. Assess the rationale for selecting the choice of approaches; and
4. Evaluate the reasonableness and practicality of the choice of solution regarding timing,
resources, public and professional acceptance, legal and ethical considerations, cost-
effectiveness, and justification of the resources required.
5. Any proposed solution must represent the candidate’s own work and critical thinking.

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B. 2024 EXAM FEE SCHEDULE‡

Qualifying Examination $700

Board Eligibility Application $500
Certifying Examination $1,000
Re-examination or Rescheduling Fees
Qualifying Examination $450
CE Partial Remediation (one section) $400
CE Full Remediation $1,000
Appeal Fees
Appeal (each) $300
Other
Diplomate Registration $275
Five-Year Extension (one-time) $250
Life Membership (one-time) $250
Recertification $250
Reinstatement $75
Verification $100
Certificate Reprint Fee $25 + applicable postage

‡Fees are updated annually. Fees for the current exam cycle apply to all cases.

C. PAYMENT INFORMATION
Please remit the appropriate amount by credit card on the secure payment portal at www.abdph.org.

Revised 05/22/2023
D. Frequently Asked Questions about Retaking the Board Exam
Regular Exam Cycle Dates
What if I failed… You can… Fees‡
Apply†
…the Qualifying Exam …retake the QE up to 2 times. Apply for re-examination by Qualifying Exam fee applies.
(QE)? December 1 2024 QE: $450

…1 written PR? …remediate next year by submitting 1 new or revised written PR. 1) Apply for re-examination by Partial Remediation (1 section)
You are ineligible for the oral examination this year. August 15 applies regardless of whether 1
2) Submit new/revised PR by or 2 PRs are remediated.
Discuss this option with the ED for guidance about what approach October 1 2024 Partial Remediation: $400
(i.e., new PR or revise the failing PR) will give you the best chance of
passing. A revised PR may be recommended if there are no critical
flaws in the project. A new PR may be required if the project does
not meet basic eligibility criteria (e.g., a scoping review or white
paper cannot be revised).
…2 written PRs? …remediate next year by submitting 2 new or revised written PRs. 1) Apply for re-examination by Partial Remediation (1 section)
You are ineligible for the oral examination this year. August 15 fee applies regardless of
2) Submit new/revised PRs by whether 1 or 2 PRs are
Discuss this option with the ED for guidance about what approach October 1 remediated.
(i.e., new PR or revise the failing PR) will give you the best chance of 2024 Partial Remediation: $400
passing. A revised PR may be recommended if there are no critical
flaws in the project. A new PR may be required if the project does
not meet basic eligibility criteria (e.g., a scoping review or white
paper cannot be revised).
…the oral examination …retake the oral examination of the PRs. Apply for re-examination by Partial Remediation (1 section)
of the PRs? August 15 fee applies.
2024 Partial Remediation: $400

…the Assigned …retake the Assigned Problem. Apply for re-examination by Partial Remediation (1 section)
Problem? August 15 fee applies.
2024 Partial Remediation: $400

…both the Assigned …retake both oral sections. The Board also will review your written 1) Apply for re-examination by Full Remediation fee applies.
Problem and the oral PR scores to determine whether these need to be re-examined with August 15 2024 Full Remediation: $1,000
exam of the PRs? revised or new PRs. 2) Submit PR(s) by October 1

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 Regular Exam Cycle Dates
What if I failed… You can… Fees‡
Apply†
…I failed the re- …talk to the Executive Director about developing a plan for Remediation plan must be Full Remediation fee applies.
examination? additional formal training or experience. completed to the Board’s 2024 Full Remediation: $1,000
satisfaction before applying
for re-examination.

Revised 05/22/2023