The Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) administers several standardized tests to evaluate the preparedness of individuals for the study and practice of dentistry and dental hygiene. They include the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) Part I and Part II, the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), and the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE), which is currently in development.

The purpose of the National Board Examinations is to assist state boards in determining qualifications of dentists and dental hygienists who seek licensure to practice dentistry or dental hygiene. These examinations assess candidates' ability to understand important information from basic biomedical and dental sciences and also the ability to apply such information in a problem-solving context.

Specific dental and dental hygiene licensure requirements vary among jurisdictions, but all jurisdictions have three basic requirements: an educational requirement, a written examination requirement and a clinical examination requirement. You must complete all three for basic licensure requirements.

The Joint Commission Of National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) is the body responsible for the development of both parts of the NBDE. In your journey to become a licensed dentist in the United States, taking the NBDE Part 1 is the first step.

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