INBDE: Exam Content

The Joint Commission approved INBDE test specifications is based on a Model of the Domain of Dentistry, which includes:

65 clinical content areas determined through practice analysis to be at least �moderately important to patient care.�
10 areas of Foundation Knowledge for the General Dentist based on science

Clinical Component Area:

Represent the knowledge in each area as applied by the dentist to aid in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of oral disease and to promote and maintain oral health.
The clinical competencies are grouped into three sections:

Diagnosis and treatment planning
Oral health management
Practice and profession

Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

1	Interpret patient information and medical data to assess and manage patients.
2	Identify the chief complaint and understand the contributing factors.
3	Perform head and neck and intraoral examinations, interpreting and evaluating the clinical findings.
4	Use clinical and epidemiological data to diagnose and establish a prognosis for dental abnormalities and pathology.
5	Recognize the normal range of clinical findings and distinguish significant deviations that require monitoring, treatment, or management.
6	Predict the diagnostic result given available patient information.
7	Interpret diagnostic results to inform understanding of the patient�s condition.
8	Recognize the manifestations of systematic disease and how the disease and its management may affect the delivery of dental care.
9	Recognize the interrelationship between oral health and systemic disease and implement strategies for improving overall health.
10	Select the diagnostic tools most likely to establish or confirm the diagnosis.
11	Collect information from diverse sources (patient, guardian, patient records, allied staff, and other healthcare professionals) to make informed decisions.
12	Formulate a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan for patient management.
13	Discuss etiologies, treatment alternatives, and prognoses with patients so they are educated and can make informed decisions concerning the management of their care.
14	Understand how patient attributes (e.g., gender, age, race, ethnicity, and special needs), social background and values influence the provision of oral health care at all stages of life.
15	Interact and communicate with patients using psychological, social, and behavioral principles.

Oral Health Management

16	Prevent, recognize, and manage medical emergencies (e.g., cardiac arrest).
17	Prevent, recognize, and manage dental emergencies.
18	Recognize and manage acute pain, hemorrhage, trauma, and infection of the orofacial complex.
19	Prevent, diagnose, and manage pain during treatment.
20	Prevent, diagnose, and manage pulpal and peri radicular diseases.
21	Prevent, diagnose, and manage caries.
22	Prevent, diagnose, and manage periodontal diseases.
23	Prevent, diagnose, and manage oral mucosal and osseous diseases.
24	Recognize, manage, and report patient abuse and neglect.
25	Recognize and manage substance abuse.
26	Select and administer or prescribe pharmacological agents in the treatment of dental patients.
27	Anticipate, prevent, and manage complications arising from the use of therapeutic and pharmacological agents in patient care.
28	Diagnose endodontic conditions and perform endodontic procedures.
29	Diagnose and manage the restorative needs of edentulous and partially edentulous patients.
30	Restore tooth function, structure, and esthetics by replacing missing and defective tooth structure, while promoting soft and hard tissue health.
31	Perform prosthetic restorations (fixed or removable) and implant procedures for edentulous and partially edentulous patients.
32	Diagnose and manage oral surgical treatment needs.
33	Perform oral surgical procedures.
34	Prevent, diagnose, and manage developmental or acquired occlusal problems.
35	Prevent, diagnose, and manage temporomandibular disorders.
36	Diagnose and manage patients requiring modification of oral tissues to optimize form, function, and esthetics.
37	Evaluate outcomes of comprehensive dental care.
38	Manage the oral esthetic needs of patients.

Practice and Profession

39	Evaluate and integrate emerging trends in health care.
40	Evaluate social and economic trends and adapt to accommodate their impact on oral health care.
41	Evaluate scientific literature, integrate new knowledge, and best research outcomes with patient values and other sources of information to make decisions about treatment.
42	Practice within the general dentist�s scope of competence and consult with or refer to professional colleagues when indicated.
43	Evaluate and utilize available and emerging resources (e.g., laboratory and clinical resources, information technology) to facilitate patient care, practice management, and professional development.
44	Conduct practice activities in a manner that manages risk and is consistent with jurisprudence and ethical requirements in dentistry and healthcare.
45	Recognize and respond to situations involving ethical and jurisprudence considerations.
46	Maintain patient records in accordance with jurisprudence and ethical requirements.
47	Conduct practice related business activities and financial operations in accordance with sound business practices and jurisprudence (e.g., OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and HIPAA (Health insurance Portability and accountability)).
48	Develop a catastrophe preparedness plan for the dental practice.
49	Manage, coordinate, and supervise the activity of allied dental health personnel.
50	Assess one�s personal level of skills and knowledge relative to dental practice.
51	Adhere to standard precautions for infection control for all clinical procedures.
52	Use prevention, intervention, and patient education strategies to maximize oral health.
53	Collaborate with dental team members and other health care professionals to promote health and manage disease in communities.
54	Evaluate and implement systems of oral health care management and delivery that will address the needs of patient populations served.
55	Apply quality assurance, assessment, and improvement concepts to improve outcomes.
56	Communicate case design to laboratory technicians and evaluate the resultant restoration or prosthesis.

Foundation Knowledge Component:

Represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities that are required to successfully perform tasks. Knowledge in each area is applied by the dentist to aid in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of oral disease and to promote and maintain oral health.

Foundation Knowledge Areas

1	Molecular, biochemical, cellular, and systems-level development, structure, and function
2	Physics and chemistry to explain normal biology and pathobiology
3	Physics and chemistry to explain the characteristics and use of technologies and materials
4	Principles of genetic, congenital and development diseases and conditions and their clinical features to understand patient risk
5	Cellular and molecular bases of immune and non-immune host defense mechanism
6	General and disease-specific pathology to assess patient risk
7	The biology of microorganisms in physiology and pathology
8	Pharmacology
9	Behavioral sciences, ethics, and jurisprudence
10	Research methodology and analysis, and informatics tools

Test Specifications:

The Domain of Dentistry serves as the key reference for the INBDE test specifications, which indicate the percentage of items allocated.The INBDE Test specifications provide information concerning how examination questions (items) are allocated across areas of a content domain. These specifications show the percentage of examination items allocated to each clinical component section and each Foundation Knowledge Area.Through this approach the clinical relevance of examination content is maximized. The table below shows how items are allocated within each section and area.

Clinical Content Area Test Specification:

Foundation Knowledge Area Test Specification:

Updated Aug 17, 2022.