U.S. National Board exam vs. Canadian National Board Exam. Same or diff?

Please comment on Toronto college of Dental hygiene and Auxilaries,I am going to apply for that.

this is all very helpful..i am taking the written next week. Any other helpful advise as to what to really study..

for the content of the exam, study everything. You will need to know nutrition, and I mean cellular nutrition, for example what vitamin is responsible for cellular maintainence of the gingiva. Periodontology- know your dy..
periodontal fibers and what they connect to, stages of gingivitis for example initial lesion and time frames!!, types of pockets, etc. and how to identify them radiographically, know all the oral patholoy and specific associations w/ syndromes, know all your drug classifications and know them wel, examlpe : this was an actual question- what would you tell a pt not to use if they were taking disulfurum- listerine. another question related to this was what antibiotic would you not prescribe to someone taking disulfurm- metronodazole (flagil)- and forgive my spelling on these, know your cellular immune reponse, know your dental materials, they actaully have a question related to placing an amalgam filling, know your microbes assciated w/ perio, know your instruments, know medical emergencies, just know everything from A&P to the process of learning. It's all on there. and bring a magnifying glass because radiographs are hard to see what they are asking for. And a little tip- when you get your book for the National board exam- read the back. 2 example questions were on the boards.

this is what i meant to post...this was very helpful.. any other last minute things to study while craming :)

I have found this web site very helpful but have yet to hear from a CANADIAN RDH practicing and graduated in Canada looking to write the U>S Boards.

Anyone fit this criteria???

I am about to take the US board this tuesday... wish me luck!! lol.. and soon after I want to take the Canadian board since I used to live in Toronto. Anyone in the same boat??

Actually I did survey CANADIAN BUSINESS COLLEGE and found them to be an exellent School. They have an Articulation Agreement Minnesota State University for Dental Hygiene.

Their Board Exam results are good and they are registered with the Government as College that offers Financial Aid.

www.ndhcb.ca/en/forms.php

Research in Toronto, Ontario said: January 2009 - Aggregate DH School Results on the NDHCE
Camosun (01-101) 1 * $30-35k - Loans YES
New Caledonia (01-102) 1 * $30-35k - Loans YES
VCC (01-103)$35-45k Loans NO
VCDH (01-104) 96% $35k Loans YES
UFV (01-105)Loans YES
VIU (01-106) Loans YES
U Alberta Loans YES
SIAST ?
U Manitoba Loans YES
Algonquin $30k Loans Yes
Boréal 40% Loans Yes (KEEP AWAY BAD)
Cambrian Loans YES
Canadore Loans YES
Confederation Loans YES
Durham Loans YES
Fanshawe Loans YES
George Brown $30-35k Loans Yes
Georgian Loans Yes
La Cité Loans Yes
Niagara Loans Yes
St.Clair Loans Yes
CIDH 74% - $35-$40k Loans NO
CADH $35-40k Loans No
Accredited Schools Average 84%
Aplus 80% $30k Loans NO
Oxford 70% $35-40k Loans NO
Regency 76% $40-45k Loans NO
CCDH 90% $35-$40 Loans NO
ODEI ?
CNIH 13% Loans No (Bad)
Yorkville 71% Loans Yes
George Yonge 42% Loans No (Bad)
CBC 69% Loans Yes
Oxford North 18% Loans No (Bad)
Xincon 33% Loans No (Bad)
Kent 56% Loans (Bad)
Trillium-Oshawa 23% Loans Yes (Bad)
OCOHP ?
Maxwell 54% Loans No
Medix (bad)
Huron 33% Loans No (Bad)
London College 88% Loans No
Trillium Kingston 60%
ABMT ?
Chicoutimi ?
FX Garneau ?
John-Abbott ?

Lets just say that there is no survey in the world that can show the true colors of CBS College.

loan or no loan, if you want to spend your 2 years of school in hell go to CBS College.

I have been a hygienist for over 10 years and haven't yet met an RDH that "enjoyed" their schooling - it is something we all endured. School prepares us for the world of picky patients and demanding dentists. It toughens us for the real world.

Plakattaka in Aurora, Ontario said: I have been a hygienist for over 10 years and haven't yet met an RDH that "enjoyed" their schooling - it is something we all endured. School prepares us for the world of picky patients and demanding dentists. It toughens us for the real world.

I went to school in Victoria BC about 7years ago. I had a very positive experience with the program. I felt it prepared me well for the profession. I think there is a really discrepancy between schools which the profession needs to address.

The above breakdown on different schools is inaccurate. The public schools in BC do not charge 30-45K on tuition and gov't loans and bursaries are available. The only school in BC that does charge 35-45k is the private one and I am not sure if students are eligible for gov't loans and bursaries..

moby in Winnipeg, Manitoba said: Hi rppj,

Did you write the Canadian exam recently? I am a DH in Florida and passed the U.S. Exam but I'm moving to Winnipeg and am studying for the Canadian Exam. I am studying a Saunders Review Book, 2nd Edition 2009, Scope, Practice Standards, Code of Ethics and a Dental Hygiene Deck. I'm studying the same way I did for the U.S. Exam. Who has written the Canadian Exam and what books did you study to pass?

Was the U.S. NBDHE really hard? any advice on what to focus on while studying?

Hi, can any one help me,giving me direction of great d.hygiene (english) in montreal.

thank's a lot.

DO you mean a school?
the only English dental hygiene school in Montreal is cegep JOhn Abbott college in saint Anne-de-bellveue.

I am a practicing hygienist from Michigan and will be writing the Canadian boards in 2 months. How do you think they compared to the state boards? I am using Mosby's review book and flashcards that I used for the states exam. Any specific advise? Thank you!
Jacqueline Detroit, MI

Rhema w in Big Rapids, Michigan said: Hey, I am a Canadian citizen that is taking Dental Hygiene in Michigan. I have dual so i decided to write both the board exams for the US and Canada (ontario). Here in Michigan there is also a clinical. I just finished writting the American Written National exam(which was pretty hard and i'm still waiting for the results!) i've already paid for my Canadian exam which i am going to write May 20th. I'm studying the same way as I did for the American one but i can't find any info on whether its different or not? other than the different tooth numbering system thats used in Ontario. has anyone written both exams or knows of any other differences that could help me with studying? THANKYOU!

DJL in Toronto, Ontario said: I am an Ontario dentist who had the dental training in Michigan. Good for you that you will be taking advantage of both the Canadian and American board examinations. Having the ability to practise on both sides of the border will give you the flexibility and opportunity to choose where you want to work. (I am assuming you are a Canadian student studying in MI).

I am currently teaching dental hygiene at a private college in Toronto, and I have come across other dental hygienist (instructors) who graduated in the US and took the Canadian board. They claimed that the American board (written) was harder than the Canadian, and the American board was more didactic focused, versus Canadian which took a more practical approach. Hope this will help.

Which private dental hygiene school are you currently working at? Are you involved with any of the ownership of the school..?

I am a resident of Michigan, and went to Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry. I graduated in 2008 so I have only been practicing for a year. I currently work out of a few private practices, but will be practicing in Ontario within the next year. I am using Mosby's review book and dental decks/flashcards. Are there any specific review books that your hygienists used? Thanks for the response.

Lily in Burnaby, British Columbia said: Hello Momo,
I am international candidate for the Canadian DH board exam.
I am DH in other country and need to write board exam to be Canadian DH.I have some question about the Canadian exam. I think most of Canadian exam question is case based. It was tricky and I found more than one correct answer. To choose the best answer, could you tell me how should I practice. Most of exam review book is American and the type of question is different from Canadian. could you tell me if the Mosby is good? Darby as well? Did you get any old NDHCB exam question from your school? I really need it but have no chance to find it yet. Please give me some good idea how to get CANADIAN style exam questions to practice. I need to get used to it.
Thank you!
Lily

Hello

Hi Lily,

www.rdhtutors.ca is an on-line preparatory tutoring seminar for candidates preparing to write both Canadian and US National Dental Hygien Examinations.
We offer an intesive 10 week, 3 hours a week review of Darby and Walsh and other resources including extensive questions with answers and rationales to each answer. We review large case studies with corresponding questions and answers.
We help you with study skills and a positive mind set.

Log on to www.rdhtutors.ca to view the weekly topics for review during the seminars.

Please feel free to e-mail us if you have any further questions at info@rdhtutors.ca

Best regards,

Judith

dd in Toronto, Ontario said: Im actually sstudying for the board exam.. Canadian is mostly focused on case studies. for example : what would you do if you had this patient.. a.b.c.d
you have pharm emergency perio .. Darby is mostly what you really need to study.. review pharmri and emergency a little bit of oral path and histology
thats all u need ..

Yes the board for canada is seem hard not to much for memory question most of the question you have to deal with DH practices and community is horrible.

I am a student in Ottawa, Ontario and I want to move to Montreal as soon as i am done with the course in ottawa. Where should my exam be ?? I am not planning to work in ottawa or ontario. Can someone guide me ??
Pls email me xxbrinthaxx@hotmail.com

sarah in Orlando, Florida said: hi there,
i was reading your response about the canadian board exam being more case based then the american one. Have u taken the canadian board exam recently? if so what study guide(s) did u use to help u study? i'm planning on taknig the canadian boards this year and i'm from the states and dont know where to start studying. any advice would be grateful.

Hi there, I just finished the Canadian dental hygiene exam and take it from me, read Darby and Walsh's "Dental hygiene theory and practice" from front to back. It is the best study material for the Canadian Board exam. I was also told that Williams & Wilkens, dental hygiene theory text book is an easier read and good for studying. Good luck!

Rachel in Kincardine, Ontario said: Hi there, I just finished the Canadian dental hygiene exam and take it from me, read Darby and Walsh's "Dental hygiene theory and practice" from front to back. It is the best study material for the Canadian Board exam. I was also told that Williams & Wilkens, dental hygiene theory text book is an easier read and good for studying. Good luck!

I believe it is Williams and "Wilkins"(Esther Wilkins).

Hi Sarah,

We have an online preparatory course that we do for the NDHCBE.
For more information, you can go to www.rdhtutors.ca or email us at info@rdhtutors.ca
We have many students (like yourself) writing the NDHCBE from the U.S
Our next course begins on November 2, 2009 for the January 2010 exam.

Christina

ramneek in Brampton, Ontario said: Hi,
Iam a regestered denatal assistant in canada,i want to take dental hygiene course in usa.Can some body help me with this please which school i should take.

I am currently in my second and last year in the DH program at Monroe Community College in Rochester. A very well know school for DH.
Lisa

Lisa in Rochester, New York said: I am currently in my second and last year in the DH program at Monroe Community College in Rochester. A very well know school for DH.
Lisa

I went to school there. Is Ms Forsyth still there? MCC also has dorms so that is a plus for Canadian students.

hyg sucks in Richmond, Virginia said: I went to school there. Is Ms Forsyth still there? MCC also has dorms so that is a plus for Canadian students.

Yes Mrs. Forsyth is still there!

Hi, i am student in toronto and i would like to know if i can work in New
York state as a Dental Hygienist after finishing my study.

Roopi in Brampton, Ontario said: Hi, i am student in toronto and i would like to know if i can work in New
York state as a Dental Hygienist after finishing my study.

Hi, Contact the Board of Registration in Dentistry: D.H. dept. You will probably need: National Board Exam, NERB, and a jurisprudence test for NY...Since you are not from the USA, you may need to do all of the above mentioned. Unfortunately, we don't have "reciprocity" even between states here. GL
Have all of your ?'s in front of you and also, try to google ?'s to obtain some of the answers , before contacting NY B.o.R. in Dentistry.

Thank you very much.

Rhema w in Big Rapids, Michigan said: I'm allowed to practice in the US because I have dual citizenship. if you dont, then you would have to geta working visa

Hi Rhema,

Which visa should, we have to work as a dental hygienist in USA? Will there be any agencies or hopitals which will help us get it?

maggie in Erie, Pennsylvania said: And for the content of the exam, study everything. You will need to know nutrition, and I mean cellular nutrition, for example what vitamin is responsible for cellular maintainence of the gingiva. Periodontology- know your periodontal fibers and what they connect to, stages of gingivitis for example initial lesion and time frames!!, types of pockets, etc. and how to identify them radiographically, know all the oral patholoy and specific associations w/ syndromes, know all your drug classifications and know them wel, examlpe : this was an actual question- what would you tell a pt not to use if they were taking disulfurum- listerine. another question related to this was what antibiotic would you not prescribe to someone taking disulfurm- metronodazole (flagil)- and forgive my spelling on these, know your cellular immune reponse, know your dental materials, they actaully have a question related to placing an amalgam filling, know your microbes assciated w/ perio, know your instruments, know medical emergencies, just know everything from A&P to the process of learning. It's all on there. and bring a magnifying glass because radiographs are hard to see what they are asking for. And a little tip- when you get your book for the National board exam- read the back. 2 example questions were on the boards.

I can't tell you enough how helpful this information is. Thank you so much. I'm writing my Boards in July this year 2010. This helps.
Thanks, Lisa

Hi, I am planning to get into dental hygiene and I was wondering, if I'm licensed in Ontario and I want to work in California; How can I be licensed in California, as well?

No you will not be granted license in US. You have to redo the Amarican National Dental Hygiene Board and may be clinical as well.

I would strongly recommend you to think well before you start hygiene. Its not like it used to be. Theres no jobs due to flood of dental hygienists in the market.

KH in Vadodara, India said: Please comment on Toronto college of Dental hygiene and Auxilaries,I am going to apply for that.

not very good.

Rhema w in Big Rapids, Michigan said: Hey, I am a Canadian citizen that is taking Dental Hygiene in Michigan. I have dual so i decided to write both the board exams for the US and Canada (ontario). Here in Michigan there is also a clinical. I just finished writting the American Written National exam(which was pretty hard and i'm still waiting for the results!) i've already paid for my Canadian exam which i am going to write May 20th. I'm studying the same way as I did for the American one but i can't find any info on whether its different or not? other than the different tooth numbering system thats used in Ontario. has anyone written both exams or knows of any other differences that could help me with studying? THANKYOU!

This is an old post....but I just wanted to comment on something she says and I quote...." other than the different tooth numbering system thats used in Ontario....." ??? Can someone explain to me what is this regarding in Ontario....? The Province of Ontario seems to have been doing quite a few things with regards to DH practice/employment....what is it doing with regards to "its tooth numbering system".....? shheesh.....

It is the US that uses the different numbering system (1-32) Ontario uses the quadrant system quads 1-4 teeth numbered 1-8 first number indicates the quadrant the second number indicates the tooth. It is so long since I was in school that I can't remember the correct name for the different systems! Saying that made me feel stupid so I looked it up - US uses the Universal Tooth Numbering System, Ontario and I think the rest of Canada use the International Tooth Numbering System. I think the US also uses the Palmer system sometimes where lines indicate the 4 quadrants with teeth numbered 1-8 shown on the lines in the appropriate quadrant.

hey all i want to prepare for dental hygiene exam can any one pls suggest me good books to read for starting to prepare and get good score in the exam i am a forein trained dentist from india planning to give national board dental hygiene exam

I am an international candidate who is going to write Canadian DH board exam. I need to get some information.
Could you tell me about the Darby and Walsh. Is is really helpful?
The Mosby is the must as well? How about the Sanders?
Thanks,

For all foreign educated dental hygienists who wish to practice dental hygiene in the United States:

www.adha.org/careerinfo/foreign_trained.htm

Foreign hygienists wishing to work in Canada:

www.ifdh.org/workabroad/canada.shtml

Feb 2010 American Dental Hygiene Association's comparisons of regional hygiene exams for licensure:

www.adha.org/downloads/edu/REGIONAL_EXAM_COMPARISON.pdf

The National Dental Hygiene Certification Board website that lists eligibilty reguirements and also has an online sample test as well as how to study for the test to become a Canadian Dental Hygienist.

www.ndhcb.ca/en/exam_eligibility.php

Always get your information from the horse's mouth, if possible. That way it is current and accurate.

www.Dentalhygienedecks.com makes a great flashcard deck for the American national board test for dental hygienists.

FlossBoss in Oceanside, California said: Foreign hygienists wishing to work in Canada:

www.ifdh.org/workabroad/canada.shtml

Thank you FlossBoss,

I am looking for many review questions for Canadian board exam.
I got sample questions and practice test from NDHCB but need more.
I got some books from the NDHCB's reference but I could not get
review questions which were similar to the Canadian board exam.
Canadian exam is very tricky and contain two possible Ans sometime
but these books don't explain that. I think there are more review books
which help the US board exam. Do you have Darby Walsh review questions?
I don't get them. Are they good review questions?

Is there anyone who has Darby Walsh review questions?
I would like to know if it is good.

I just need to pass the exam to get Canadian Certificate.

Thanks

I have heard that the American test is more fact based and the Canadian one more case based. That's why there are two answers which could both be correct and you have to pick the best one. Just getting answers to questions won't help you pass your test.

I found this site on the internet which seems geared toward case based dental hygiene exams:

rdhtutors.com/course/ndhcbe.shtml

Good luck!

The following reference texts are recommended to assist candidates in Canada with the dental hygiene examination preparation:

• Darby, M. & Walsh, M. (2003). Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice. 2nd Ed., St
Louis, Saunders.

• Haring, Joen I. & Lind, Laura J. (1993) Radiographic Interpretation for the Dental
Hygienist. Login Brothers.

• Wilkins, E. (2004). Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist. 9th Ed, Baltimore:
Williams & Wilkins.

• Daniel, S. & Harfst, S. (2002) Mosby’s Dental Hygiene – Concepts, Cases and
Competencies

• Weinberg, M (2001) Comprehensive Periodontics for the Dental Hygienist

Hi FlossBoss,

So, here is a question for you. If a Canadian Dental Hygienist from an accredited DH university passes the National Board Exam in Canada, and moves to Alaska, for example.....what does she have to do in order to practice Dental Hygiene in Alaska....? She is from an accredited program, current, has two years experience (1000 hours per year)....etc....what does it take for her to be able to go up to Alaska and possibly do some locum work for a DDS up there.....??

Plakattaka in Aurora, Ontario said: I have been a hygienist for over 10 years and haven't yet met an RDH that "enjoyed" their schooling - it is something we all endured. School prepares us for the world of picky patients and demanding dentists. It toughens us for the real world.

Totally disagree. If you have an IQ more then 50 then you would think this way..
Dental Hygiene private colleges are horrible in Canada. I come from a 10 years experience in Europe. The philosophy of being private means that you should offer more then public colleges.. Indeed they charge more tuition then public schools and the quality of teaching is miserable. I dont understand how can you accredit these colleges in Canada. Everyone that i have meet says that they had to memorize the subject and therefore by the time student finish school they dont remember anything.. It is a known fact that memorizing is not useful method of learning.. Students have to understand the material not to memorize it.
A few facts that i have experienced my self. ( no names)
1-They have incompetent teachers ( dental hygienists who have no idea or qualifications on how to teach) Remember teaching is ART.. You can be the best brain surgeon but that doesnt mean you know how to teach....
2- The owners of the college are greedy to make more money of the students and they make it hard so a few of them will eventually fail and will have to repeat the semester paying another 7000$ per semester.
3- dental hygiene is not hard. A good school or a good instructor is the one that tries to make the hard subject easier for the students and not vice verse.
Enough you have money and you can get a dental hygiene school license in Ontario.. This is not the right way to do it.

There are hundreds of dental hygienists who come out of schools in Ontario every year. Where are they going to work?? These schools need to be shut down.

It looks according to the Alaska State Dental Board that one cannot get a dental hygiene license by credentials to do locum work but maybe for care to underserved areas???? Not sure if this is the same for hygienists not licensed in the United States. Check out the website below for more information.

commerce.state.ak.us/occ/pden12.htm

Getting a dental hygiene license in the state of Alaska would require passing the WREB. (Western Regional Examiners Board) The Canadian hygienist would have to bring probably at least two patients and expect to pay for their room and board during the exam period. A separate anesthesia test would have to be taken as well.
Information on the WREB is on the these websites.

www.adha.org/downloads/edu/REGIONAL_EXAM_COMPARISON.pdf

www.wreb.org

One would need to contact the Alaska State Dental Board to see if an accredited school of dental hygiene in Canada would be accepted as part of the requirements for taking the WREB.

commerce.state.ak.us/occ/pden12.htm

Here is the Alaska Dental Hygienists Association website. She might want to contact them for more information as well.

www.asdha.com

It looks as if this would not be inexpensive and unless a hygienist expected to remain in the states for a fairly long period, it may not be worth it. The good news is that the WREB is accepted in many parts of the southwestern United States for state licensure.
Be sure to check this forum for job availability in any state that she is interested in because the situation is different in each area.

Lily in Burnaby, British Columbia said: I am an international candidate who is going to write Canadian DH board exam. I need to get some information.
Could you tell me about the Darby and Walsh. Is is really helpful?
The Mosby is the must as well? How about the Sanders?
Thanks,

i have a disk ful of review questions that i'm selling, it's mosby's dental hygiene review questions chapters 1-22. get back to me if interested, it helped me a lot.

if you plan on taking the course in ontario, give GEORGE BROWN A SERIOUS CONSIDERATION. REGENCY,TDI AND SOME OTHERS ARE EXPENSIVE INSTITUTION WITH NOT AS QUALITY TEACHING AS SHOULD BE FOR THE MONEY YOU PAY.