Relevance date: 
These instructions will apply to the National Dental Specialty Examination (NDSE) conducted beginning in 2010. See the RCDC website for instructions for examinations conducted on earlier or later dates

GENERAL INFORMATION

Dental Public Health in Canada

Dental Public Health is that branch and specialty of dentistry concerned with the diagnosis, prevention and control of dental diseases and the promotion of oral health through organized community efforts. Dental Public Health serves the community through research, health promotion, education, and group dental care programs.

Canadian Dental Public Health specialists are required to have broad knowledge and skills in the nine domains and the sub-domains of dental public health. The domains are: Critical Appraisal and Evidence based Practice; Oral Diseases; Community Oral Health Interventions; Dental Public Health Program Planning and Evaluation; Health Status Monitoring; Oral Health Promotion; Health Program Management; Ethics and Jurisprudence; and Current Public Health Issues.

Purpose

Successful completion of the examination (NDSE) may lead to Fellowship in the College. The RCDC Fellowship in Dental Public Health recognizes competence in the practice of Dental Public Health. Fellowship is the highest professional achievement for a public health dentist. Fellows in the RCDC are currently working throughout Canada in health agencies, dental faculties, for government, and in administrative and clinical practice. The process of achieving Fellowship tests a candidate's knowledge of Dental Public Health principles and public health issues in Canada. Candidates are also required to demonstrate competency in project reports, computer and data analysis skills, and presentation of a response to an assigned Dental Public Health problem. Awarding of an RCDC Fellowship is thus the ultimate professional designation for a specialist in Dental Public Health in Canada. Fellowship in the RCDC is the Canadian equivalent of diplomate status in the American Board of Dental Public Health. .

The examination in  Dental Public Health consists of two components

COMPONENT I - 2 PARTS

COMPONENT I: PART 1: Written Exam - 3 hours

The written exam is a three (3) hour exam on basic dental epidemiological principles and Dental Public Health issues in Canada. Questions are all short-answer type. No multiple-choice questions are asked. Candidates are expected to be concise in their responses. A calculator may be used. The nine domains, as listed below, and their subdomains will be examined:

1. Critical Appraisal and Evidence-Based Practice
2. Oral Epidemiology: Measurement and Methods
3. Oral Disease in the Community
4. Community Oral Health Interventions
5. Health Status Monitoring
6. Dental Public Health Program Planning, Implementation and Evaluation
7. Oral Health Promotion
8. Health Program Management and Financing of Dental Programs/Care
9. Ethics and Jurisprudence


COMPONENT I: PART 2: Computer Analysis - 2 hours

This component consists of a computer based analysis of dental epidemiologic data that are provided in a format similar to what would be collected using WHO Oral Health Surveys, Basic Methods . A data set will be provided and a series of questions given to test the candidate's data analysis skills. The candidate may use one or more of the following software programs: EpiData; SPSS; Microsoft Access; or Microsoft Excel. However, please note that the data for analysis may be made available in EpiData format only. It is the responsibility of the candidate to convert the data into the preferred format. After two (2) hours, the candidate will submit his/her solution.

Candidates must pass Component I, Part 1 and Part 2 to proceed to Component II.


COMPONENT II - 3 PARTS

COMPONENT II: PART 1: Assigned Hypothetical Dental Public Health Problem (overnight)

A written problem statement will be given to each candidate, who will have until the next morning to prepare a response.

Presentation and Defence of Take Home Problem - 45 minutes

A projector will be available for the presentation. The candidate will be given twenty (20) minutes to present his/her solution. Questions from examiners will follow (25 minutes). The candidates may bring written notes or presentation aids to this examination for reference while presenting the solution. This part of the examination is designed to evaluate the candidate's ability to understand a problem in relation to the information provided, and formulate a reasonable solution. Candidates are asked to present rational solutions and alternatives based on the available information. Candidates are asked to give their rationale for selecting the choice of approach, and the effectiveness, reasonableness and practicality of the choice of solution in regard to timing, resources, public and professional acceptance, legal and ethical considerations, cost-effectiveness and justification of the resources required.

Examiners will use the following criteria in marking the assigned problem:

1. Candidate's ability to understand the assignment in view of the information and assumptions provided.
2. Candidate's ability to identify the significant problems embedded in the assignment.
3. The options that were considered as choices for solving the various problems.
4. The rationale for selecting the choice of approach.
5. The reasonableness and practicality of the choice of solutions in regard to effectiveness, resources, public and professional acceptance, legal and ethical considerations, cost effectiveness and sustainability.
6. Justification of the resources required (budget and personnel).

The assigned problem will be independently scored by examiners according to each of the above criteria.


COMPONENT II: PART 2: Written Examination of Policy Analysis Project and Subsequent Presentation and Defense- 3 hours and 45 minutes

Written Examination of Policy Analysis Project (3 hours)

Component II: Part 2 is a written examination to assess the candidates ability to adsorb information provided in a written document and develop appropriate (consistent with the context, effective, likely affordable) written oral health policies to deal with the problems identified in the document.


Oral Presentation and Defence (45 minutes)

The candidate will be given twenty (20) minutes to present his/her solution. Questions from examiners will follow (25 minutes).

Each defence will be independently scored by examiners using a template. The template will be made available with the supplementary material provided to eligible candidates who have been successfully credentialed.

Oral Presentation:

Was the presentation style clear and effective? Were the main findings evident and supported? Were the candidate's responses organized, thoughtful and coherent? If the candidate didn't know an answer, did he/she admit not knowing rather than responding with irrelevancies?

Familiarity with the project:

Was the candidate able to explain all components of the project accurately? Was the candidate able to demonstrate general knowledge of the project's subject area?

Methods:

Did the candidate understand the appropriate use of research tools (statistical and epidemiological) or administrative methods used in the project?

Judgment:

Did the candidate exercise good judgment when discussing the choice of alternatives? Did the candidate include important factors in justifying a selected course of action?

COMPONENT II: PART 3: Viva Voce Examination on General Competencies in Dental Public Health - 1 hour

The third part of Component II is a 60-minute oral examination:

Questions are broad and require discussion of responses.
The final part examines the general competencies in Dental Public Health. The questions relate specifically to Canadian Dental Public Health issues.
The questions on Dental Public Health Competencies are drawn from the nine domains and their sub-domains

The questions are general and designed to elicit comprehensive, in-depth answers that demonstrate a candidate's understanding of the subject rather than specific facts or definitions. Each area above will be graded with a requirement of an overall pass for this part.

For successful completion of the examination process, candidates must pass both components and all parts of the examination: Component I Part 1 and Part 2; Component II Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

*  Critical Appraisal and Evidence based Practice

*  Oral Diseases

*  Community Oral Health Interventions

*  Dental Public Health Program Planning and Evaluation

*  Health Status Monitoring

*  Oral Health Promotion

*  Health Program Management

*  Ethics and Jurisprudence

*  Current Issues in Dental Public Health