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POLICIES & RESOURCES
The 2026 Candidate Guides provide a comprehensive overview of the ABDPH Examination process and should be reviewed by all Candidates prior to application for the ABDPH Examinations. The guides should be referenced throughout the examination process. If a Candidate has questions after reviewing the guide that corresponds with their exam, they should reach out to the Executive Director via email at executive.director@abdph.org for further assistance. The American Board of Dental Public Health focuses on the 10 Core Competencies of Dental Public Health when developing the Board Examinations. |
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Qualifying Examination
The Application for the Qualifying Examination will be released no later than September 1 of the year prior to the Examination and is due no later than 11:59 pm ET on December 1 of the year prior to the Examination (for example, if the Candidate intends to take the Exam in 2025, the application is released by 9/1/2024 and is due by 12/1/2024 at 11:59 pm ET). No exceptions will be made for applications that are incomplete or not submitted by the deadline.
The 2025 Qualifying Exam will be administered on the ExamSoft Platform (virtually) on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 from 10 am - 2 pm ET. An exam orientation will be held virtually approximately 2 weeks prior to the examination. The link for the orientation will be distributed via email to Candidates.
Helpful Resources for the Qualifying Examination:
Certifying Examination
Once a Candidate has successfully completed the Qualifying Examination, they have 5 Years to apply for the Certifying Examination. The American Board of Dental Public Health releases it's revised Candidate's Guide annually. Applications for the 2026 Certifying Exam are due no later than October 21, 2025. Candidates are informed of their eligibility to sit for the Examination no later than November 17, 2025. If eligible, Candidates are expected to submit two (2) written project reports no later than 11:59 pm ET on December 1, 2025. Project reports are scored by at least two Board members and Candidates are informed of their score on this portion of the Examination no later than February 15, 2026. Candidates who successfully complete the written project report section will move to the oral defense of project reports and the assigned problem. This portion of the exam will be held in-person, June 22-25, 2026 at the AIME Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.
2026 Certifying Examination Candidate's Guide
Helpful Resources for the Certifying Examination:
Rubrics:
Candidates will be notified of their specific testing slots 60 days prior to the examination. A mandatory, virtual Exam Orientation will be held a few weeks prior to the examination. An email with the link to join this meeting will be sent to candidates.
 Dental Public Health (DPH) is one of the dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA). The American Board of Dental Public Health (ABDPH) is the certifying board for dental public health specialists. | Contact Us19 Colonnade Way, Email: executive.director@abdph.org | Quick Links |