If you have failed the Assessment of Clinical Skills (ACS), you may submit a written appeal to the NDEB within three months of the release of results. During an ACS Appeal, a panel of three Appeals Committee members will look at the procedures under appeal and determine if the grading criteria was applied correctly.
ACS Appeal
Step 1 – Submitting an Appeal
Participants who have failed the Assessment of Clinical Skills (ACS) can make a submission in writing to the Appeals Committee outlining the grounds for requesting to have a grade(s) changed.
- You must complete and submit the online ACS Appeal Submission Form within three months of the release of results.
- Submissions can include photographs to illustrate the reason for a grade change, but the Appeals Panel will only assess the actual work performed during the examination.
- The cost of the ACS appeal is determined annually by the Board. The appeal fee must be paid through your online profile before you submit an appeal.
- When the NDEB has received your appeal submission, you will receive notification of receipt by email.
- You have seven (7) days from the date of your original submission to provide additions or changes to your submission. If your additions or changes are received more than seven (7) days after the original submission, your appeal may be deferred to the next meeting of the Appeals Committee. Additions or changes received after the Appeals Committee has reviewed the appeal will not be considered.
Step 2 – Review by the Appeals Committee
Before the Appeals Committee meets, the Committee will be provided with your appeal record which may consist of the following documents:
- Your appeal submission
- Report of Results for the grades under consideration
- Typodonts with all Assessment teeth in position
- Identification Card
- Invigilator Notes for Participant
- Time Delay forms
- Any photographs taken during the evaluation of your typodonts. Note, there is no requirement to take photographs during the evaluation
If you have appealed a change of grade for
- Infection Control, the Infection Control Grading Form will be included.
- Record of Procedure, the Record of Procedure Grading Checklist will be included.
- Dental dam, the Dental Dam Requirement Grading Form will be included.
Appeal submissions are reviewed anonymously. Personal information such as name, gender, or country of origin will be removed.
A three-member Panel of the Appeals Committee will review the appeal record, verify if the work submitted was graded in accordance with the grading criteria for the ACS, and determine if any of the grades under consideration should be changed to a higher grade.
The Panel may use resources when considering your appeal, including but not limited to NDEB correspondence, notifications, protocols, policies, typodont viewing forms, etc.
The Appeals Committee will not take health issues or unanticipated extenuating circumstances beyond your control, such as medical or equipment issues, into consideration when reviewing your appeal submission. These are considered compassionate appeals and should be submitted according to the By-laws regarding compassionate appeals.
Step 3 – Results of the Appeal
The Panel will provide a Report of the Appeals Panel to NDEB staff. The report will then be circulated to you by email. Any grade changes will be updated and accessible in the “Results” section of your online profile.