The examination consists of five (5) individual, skill specific Parts:  one (1) computer-based (National Board Exam Parts I and II), two (2) manikin-based, and two (2) patient-based examinations.  Each examination is listed below:

• Part I:  Computer-Based Examination (National Board Exam Parts I & II)

• Part II:  Manikin-Based Endodontics Examination

• Part III:  Manikin-Based Prosthodontics Examination

• Part IV:  Patient-Based Periodontal Examination

• Part V:  Patient-Based Restorative examination

All CITA examinations are identical in content and format and are administered in their entirety over the course of two (2) days to all eligible candidates.

The CITA examination is available as a pre-graduation examination to qualified students during the curriculum school year.  Juniors may take the manikin-based examination and senior dental students, post-graduate dental students and residents, and dental school graduates may take all or parts of the examination based upon testing site availability. 

Questions Regarding the CITA Dental Examination
 

1.  What is the filing deadline and filing fee for the CITA examination?

Relative to CITA's 2007-2008 examination cycle, the following rules apply:

• The application fee for CITA's Dental Licensure Examination is $1600.00
   

• All initial applications must be filed at least ninety (90) days before the date of the examination being applied for.  All retest applications must be filed at least thirty (30) days before the date of the application being applied for.
   

• Junior student candidates who wish to participate in a pre-graduation Manikin-Based examination must pay a filing fee of $1600 with the initial application.  Eight hundred dollars ($800) of that payment will be allocated to the initial manikin-based examination and the remaining $800 will be applied to any subsequent retest or to the Patient- Based examination taken during the following year.

 2.  If I fail any Part of the CITA Examination will I be able to carry forward the scores for the Parts passed and have the opportunity to retest on the failed Parts? 

Candidates can carry forward the scores for any Parts of the CITA examinations that he/she has successfully completed and retest on any Part or Parts which have been failed.  However, candidates failing one or both parts of the examination must complete all Parts within twelve (12) months after the candidates successful completion of any Part of the examination.  For junior students participating in the CITA examination, candidates must successfully complete all Parts of the examination within twelve (12) months after taking Parts IV and V of the examination.    Candidates failing one or more of the same parts of the CITA examination on three successive attempts must begin the entire examination process again and retake all parts of the examination.

It should also be noted that, candidates failing any one or more of the parts of the CITA examination on three successive attempts may be required by the state board in which they are seeking licensure to have completed a course in remediation prior to retaking the CITA examination or applying for licensure in that state.

3.  What is CITA's policy regarding re-examination and remediation requirements for licensing jurisdictions?

It is the responsibility of the candidate to obtain and complete all requirements for remedial education in accordance with the requirements of the licensing jurisdictions in which they seek to obtain licensure.  Any candidate applying for a re-examination should check with the appropriate state dental board regarding its remediation and re-examination require­ments.  CITA does not assume any responsibility in providing this information or in monitoring the completion of such requirements prior to an examination. 

4.  What is the fee if I need to apply for a retest(s)?

Candidates applying for any retest examination will be required to pay $800.00 for each Session where the candidate has failed either one OR both Parts of the Session

Session I

$800.00 Examination Fee
  (Parts II & III) - Manikin Endodontic and Prosthodontic Examination

Session II

$800.00 Examination Fee
 (Parts IV & V) - Patient-Based Restorative and Periodontal Examinations

For example, a candidate failing Part II of Session I, would be required to pay $800.00 and a candidate failing Parts II and III would also be required to pay $800.00.  However, candidates who fail one or both parts of BOTH Sessions must pay $1600.00 for the retest examinations.

5.  Is there any additional fees that I will be required to pay in order to take the CITA Curriculum Integrated Format or Traditional Examination?

A facility fee is often charged by the school where candidates take the examination.  Information concerning the dental school’s policies regarding fees, instruments, equipment, etc., will be transmitted to candidates by CITA as well as information regarding payment of such fees.  . 

6.   Do I need to obtain limited liability insurance?

No.  Effective for CITA examinations administered on or after February 5, 2008 candidates will not longer be required to obtain professional liability insurance before being allowed to take a CITA dental or dental hygiene examination.  CITA has purchased a blanket Professional Liability Insurance policy that covers all dental and dental hygiene candidates, and their assistants, for all CITA examinations.  The cost of that coverage is included in CITA’s examination fee.  Candidates who have purchased a policy in anticipation of an upcoming examination should contact their agent to see if a premium refund is possible. 

7. Are there differences in the Pre-Graduation Examination and Traditional Examinations?

Both the Pre-Graduation and Traditional Format examinations are identical in content, criteria and scoring.

8.  Who is eligible for the CITA Pre-Graduation Examination?

The entire Pre-Graduation examination will be available to senior dental students, post-graduate dental students and residents, and dental school graduates based upon testing site availability.  Qualified dental students in participating schools who are in their Junior year are also eligible to take the manikin-based examination.  

Junior or senior students  of record attending dental schools accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) or the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC), are eligible to apply to take this examination when the Dean (or designated school official) certifies, in writing, that the candidate is a junior or senior student of record and that the candidate is sufficiently prepared to participate in the examination.

9.  How is test site availability allocated?

In some instances there are more applicants for an examination than there are seats available at a test site.  When that occurs seating is assigned for both the Pre-Graduation and Traditional examinations in the following order of priority:  (1) eligible students of record enrolled in the undergraduate program at the Dental School at which the examination will be given; (2) eligible students of record enrolled in a graduate (post-graduate) program at the Dental School at which the examination will be given; (3)  eligible students of record enrolled in an undergraduate program at a Dental School located in another CITA Member State t; (4) eligible students of record enrolled in a graduate (post graduate) program  at a Dental School located in another member CITA state (5) graduates who are citizens of a CITA member state (6) all other eligible students currently enrolled in dental school (7) all other dental school graduates. 

10.  If I am in a residency program, what type of documentation do I need to submit with my initial application as proof of graduation?

If you are currently enrolled in a residency program in a dental school accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) or the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC), which will qualify you for licensure in one of the CITA served states, you will need to submit a sealed letter from the Registrar's office of the dental school you graduate from.  The letter must state the date you graduated, the degree you received and contain the registrar's signature and school seal.

11.  Do I have to send my National Board Scores to the CITA office?

Yes, once you have successfully completed the National Board Examination, you will need to have the National Board office in Chicago ((312) 440-2678) forward your scores to the CITA office.  Photocopies and/or your copies are not acceptable. Please have scores sent to:  15300 Weston Parkway, Suite 106, Cary, NC  27513.  Both the CITA office and the State Board of Dentistry in the state you plan to apply for licensure will EACH need a copy of your National Board Scores.

FAQ's
Patient-Based Examinations
 

1.  Do the teeth selected for the perio portion of the exam have to be contained in the same quadrant or can they come from more than one quadrant?  If so is there a concern regarding anesthetic and amounts given?  

The teeth do not need to be in the same quadrant. Delivery of anesthetic and proper dosing for patient welfare is always of concern and the candidate should apply their knowledge and skill in making decisions on administration of anesthetics.  

Anesthetic will need to be approved for each separate section of the examination.  Within each section administration of anesthetic to patients utilized in the examination process will be monitored.

2.  What are we going to do about the need for glossy photo paper for radiographs and some sort of stamp for verification?  

The paper requirements are to facilitate diagnostic capabilities of all parties involved in the examination process. The school of dentistry, dental supply companies, or photographic/radiographic supply companies are reasonable sources for glossy photographic paper which would meet the requirements for this examination. 

Students will need to complete a “Radiograph Certification Form” (provided by CITA) to verify that the x-rays are those of the patient(s) being presented and that the radiographs have not been altered in any way.  This requirement will satisfy the requirement in the manual referring to a school stamp.

3.  Will students be able to share patients for the various parts of the exam?  

Sharing of patients is a student decision that should be made after careful consideration is given to the patient’s health history and examination protocols.

4.  When will the “Medical History and Pathosis” forms be available? 

Forms will be mailed to the candidates from the CITA office.

5.  Can the mouth be partially scaled prior to the exam, with the understanding that any teeth being treated for the exam have no previous history of treatment?  

There is not a prohibition in the CITA exam protocol regarding partial or selective scaling prior to presentation of the patient for  case acceptance; however, CITA recommends that patients not be pre-scaled prior to approval for treatment selection as this may jeopardize the treatment selection being accepted. 

6.  If a tooth has a probing depth greater than 6 mm is the tooth automatically disqualified for the perio exam?  

Surfaces should not be selected for calculus removal which are involved in pockets greater than 6 mm.

7.  Are third molars allowed?  If a third molar has drifted into a second molar position and is within 2 mm of the first molar is it allowed?

Teeth which are in a typical third molar position should not be used for the examination. Third molars which are relocated in the typical position of second molars, or first molars, may be selected by candidates for treatment selection requirements. Candidates should be advised that the utilization of third molars which are in a mesially relocated position may subject the candidate to examiner discretion as to their suitability for treatment.  Examiner decisions in this regard will be final.

8.  Are the probing depths that we are being tested on examined before or after the scaling procedure?  Are the sites selected for probing depth evaluation the same teeth selected for scaling?  A 6mm pocket before scaling could easily turn out to be a 7 or 8 mm pocked after the calculus is removed during instrumentation.  So should candidates record their probing depths after instrumentation or are they being evaluated beforehand?   

Probing assignments will be made on teeth which are NOT part of the scaling assignment and the twelve surfaces selected for calculus removal.  Refer to the manual for examination protocol.

9.  It states in the Patient-Based manual that for digital radiographs, periapicals and bitewings must each be a 4" x 6" image with both images printed on one sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" premium quality photographic paper.  However, I am having trouble fitting two 4" x 6" images on one sheet, do they have to be 4" x 6"?

CITA prefers the images to be 4" x 6"; however, if you are having problems fitting both images on one sheet, you may make the images smaller but they MUST be of diagnostic quality.