Exam Resources

Protocols

The NDEB protocols provide all the essential information about the examination process. They outline the exam format, expectations, and evaluation criteria, offering a comprehensive guide to understanding the structure and requirements of the exam.

2026 AFK Protocol – Revised
2026 ACJ Protocol – Revised
NDECC Protocol
2026 NDECC Protocol *Effective June 15, 2026*
2026 Virtual OSCE Protocol – Revised

Preparation Resources

The materials available here are protected by intellectual property laws, and are provided for limited, non-commercial use only. The rules for their use are strictly enforced by the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB). Information on the NDEB’s intellectual property and the limits on how they may be used are set out in the introduction to certain study resources, and also in the NDEB Terms and Conditions.

Select an exam and start your preparation.

AFK and ACJ

ACJ Sample Questions and Answers

The question and answer sample for the ACJ provides an example of the formats commonly used in the ACJ. You are strongly encouraged to view the sample document in preparation for the ACJ.

Download the ACJ Sample Questions and Answers in PDF (Updated October 2024).

Electronic Exam Orientation

Watch the AFK and ACJ Electronic Exam Orientation video.

NDECC

NDECC Practical Guide

The NDECC Practical Guide contains information about the NDECC Test Centre and is designed to provide examinees with details about the facilities, instruments and materials provided, as well as answer frequently asked questions about the examination and Test Centre. This document will be updated when new information is available.

NDECC Practical Guide

NDECC Situational Judgement Reference List

The Situational Judgement component assesses skills required for managing issues that arise in the dental office. The purpose of this list of references is to help examinees prepare for the situational judgement component of the NDECC. It is understood that examinees would not read all the references on this list but would rather refer to some of the references to review certain topics. Download the NDECC Reference List / Liste de référence de l’EDNCC . Updated March 2026

Tips for taking the NDECC

Download Tips for the NDECC in PDF. Updated October 2025

NDECC Situational Judgement Example(s)

The NDECC Situational Judgment example document provides a sample situational judgement scenario and corresponding grading scheme. Download the NDECC Situational Judgement Station Sample in PDF. Revised October, 2023.

What to Expect in the NDECC

Consult our video on what to expect in the NDECC.

Candidate Orientation Videos – Clinical Skills & Situational Judgement

Our candidate orientation videos can be reviewed prior to your examination day. Consult the videos in the Video Library.

Virtual OSCE

Virtual OSCE Frameworks

The Virtual OSCE Frameworks provide an illustration of the case-based question formats generally used in the Virtual OSCE. The Virtual OSCE Frameworks do not represent the proportion of test items in the Virtual OSCE. All frameworks may not appear in a given form of the Virtual OSCE.

Download the Virtual OSCE Frameworks in PDF. Revised January 29, 2026

Virtual OSCE Orientation

This video should be watched by candidates planning to take the Virtual OSCE.

Other resources

Reference Texts

The list of reference texts contains material recommended in faculties of dentistry. Download the NDEB reference text list in PDF. (Updated November 8, 2021)

Released Question Bank

Download the released question bank in PDF.

Multi-Answer Multiple Choice Questions

Some NDEB examinations contain a question format described as multi-answer multiple-choice. This question type includes a question with one or more correct answers. The grade you receive on each question depends on if you select all the correct answers, some of the correct answers, or an incorrect answer. To see an example of responses of three different examinees and the score for each question based on their answers download the Multi-Answer Multiple Choice Questions Example in PDF.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) for a Beginning Dental Practitioner in Canada

This document lists the KSAs that are required for the safe and effective practice of a beginning dental practitioner in Canada.

Download the KSAs in PDF.