Program Credentials & Effectiveness

Dental Hygiene Program Accreditation

The program for Dental Hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements”). The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation may be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.

If you have a documented disability and believe you may be eligible for accommodations for the Health Professions Admissions Exam, you should contact the Office of Specialized Services (OSS). OSS is located in Room L – 115 of the Pitkin Education Center.

The United States Department of Education (USDE) procedures require accrediting agencies to provide an opportunity for third-party comment, either in writing or at a public hearing (at the accrediting agencies’ discretion) with respect to institutions or programs scheduled for review. All comments must relate to accreditation standards for the discipline and required accreditation policies.

Signed or unsigned comments will be accepted, names and/or signatures will be removed from comments prior to forwarding them to the program, and comments must pertain only to the standards for the particular program or policies and procedures used in the Commission’s accreditation process. A copy of the appropriate accreditation standards and/or the Commission’s policy on third-party comments may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, or by calling 1/800-621- 8099, extension 4653.

All comments submitted must pertain only to the standards relative to the particular program being reviewed or policies and procedures used in the accreditation process. Comments will be screened by Commission staff for relevancy. Signed or unsigned comments will be considered.

Dental Hygiene Licensure Exam Pass Rates

    2019

  • Number of candidates who took the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE): 36
  • Percentage of candidates who passed first time: 88.9%
  • Percentage of candidates who passed second time: 11.1%
    2019

  • Number of Candidates who took the Commission on Dental Competency Assessment (CDCA), formerly known as the American Dental Hygiene Licensing Examination and the Northeast Regional Board Examination (ADHLEX/NERB): 36
  • Percentage of candidates who passed both the Patient Treatment Clinical Examination (PTCE) and/or the Computer Simulated Clinical Examination (CSCE) first time: 80.6%
  • Percentage of candidates who passed either the Patient Treatment Clinical Examination (PTCE) and/or the Computer Simulated Clinical Examination (CSCE) second time: 19.4%
    2018

  • Number of candidates who took the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE): 40
  • Percentage of candidates who passed first time: 100%
  • Percentage of candidates who passed second time: N/A
    2018

  • Number of Candidates who took the Commission on Dental Competency Assessment (CDCA), formerly known as the American Dental Hygiene Licensing Examination and the Northeast Regional Board Examination (ADHLEX/NERB): 40
  • Percentage of candidates who passed both the Patient Treatment Clinical Examination (PTCE) and/or the Computer Simulated Clinical Examination (CSCE) first time: 87.5%
  • Percentage of candidates who passed either the Patient Treatment Clinical Examination (PTCE) and/or the Computer Simulated Clinical Examination (CSCE) second time: 10%
    2017

  • Number of candidates who took the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE): 33
  • Percentage of candidates who passed first time: 97%
  • Percentage of candidates who passed second time: 3%
    2017

  • Number of Candidates who took the Commission on Dental Competency Assessment (CDCA), formerly known as the American Dental Hygiene Licensing Examination and the Northeast Regional Board Examination (ADHLEX/NERB): 33
  • Percentage of candidates who passed both the Patient Treatment Clinical Examination (PTCE) and/or the Computer Simulated Clinical Examination (CSCE) first time: 90.9%
  • Percentage of candidates who passed either the Patient Treatment Clinical Examination (PTCE) and/or the Computer Simulated Clinical Examination (CSCE) second time: 9.1%
    2016

  • Number of candidates who took the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE): 38
  • Percentage of candidates who passed first time: 100%
  • Percentage of candidates who passed second time: N/A
    2016

  • Number of Candidates who took the Commission on Dental Competency Assessment (CDCA), formerly known as the American Dental Hygiene Licensing Examination and the Northeast Regional Board Examination (ADHLEX/NERB): 38
  • Percentage of candidates who passed both the Patient Treatment Clinical Examination (PTCE) and/or the Computer Simulated Clinical Examination (CSCE) first time: 81.6%
  • Percentage of candidates who passed either the Patient Treatment Clinical Examination (PTCE) and/or the Computer Simulated Clinical Examination (CSCE) second time: 18.4%

The National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) is an eight hour comprehensive written examination administered electronically at a testing center. The yearly pass / fail results are reported in our Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) Self Study, which was prepared for our site visit in 2019. These results were also reported in Dental Hygiene Program Review which was prepared in 2019.

The North East Regional Board Examination (NERB), also known as the American Dental Hygiene Licensing Examination (ADHLEX) and currently as Commission on Dental Competency Assessment (CDCA) is a two part examination. The Patient Treatment Clinical Examination requires direct patient care at a dental school or dental hygiene school testing center and the Computer Simulated Clinical Examination (CSCE) is a two hour written examination administered electronically at a testing center. The yearly pass / fail results are reported in our Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) Self Study, which was prepared for our site visit in 2019. These results were also reported in our Dental Hygiene Program Review which was prepared in 2019. Candidates are permitted to retake either or both parts of the examination up to three times before remediation (additional education) is required for retesting.

Both examinations require a minimum passing score of 75. Both examinations are required as part of the licensure requirements to become a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) in 49 of our 50 states. Each state/jurisdiction may also require other courses/examinations as part of the licensing process.