Representatives of the national dental exam program told the Dental Board Aug. 14 that the practical licensure exam is changing significantly after a recent occupational analysis and that California dental schools continue to perform at or above national averages on the hands-on sections.

What changed: Presenters described targeted updates to exam content based on a nationwide job-task analysis that governs test outlines. The updated analysis will replace some traditional crown tasks (for example, cast-metal and PFM criteria) with assessments of posterior zirconia crowns for premolars and molars and retain a full-porcelain anterior crown task. The analysis also confirmed that entry-level dentists still need to complete three-unit fixed bridges.

A major addition: For the first time in nearly two decades, periodontal scaling, calculus detection and probing made the occupational-analysis cut. The practical exam will add a more comprehensive calculus-detection and removal scenario and require probing measurements as part of the evaluation. The testing body said test scoring and case design were overhauled to reflect clinical practice and workforce changes; those periodontal-related changes take effect this academic cycle.

Exam performance and pass rates: The presenter said endodontics remains the most-challenging station on the practical exam, and overall failure rates after retakes remain low. California school cohorts generally matched or exceeded national first-time and ultimate pass rates on hands-on components.

Why it matters: The expanded periodontal component responds to shifts in practice and workforce expectations that now more commonly require dentists to perform pocket depth measurement and management tasks. The changes may also affect dental-school curricula and student preparation.

Quote from the meeting: The presenter summarized the change this way: "For 18 years, periodontal scoring, scaling, and probing has not made the occupational analysis for dentists. However, this year it did," and described the updated station as "totally overhauled" with calculus detection and surface-by-surface removal required.

Next steps: Test vendors and schools will implement the revised stations and scoring; the board will continue to monitor exam outcomes and school performance.

Sources: Aug. 14, 2025 Dental Board meeting, presentation by Guy Champagne and ADEX/assessment staff.