top of page
Search

NDECC Exam Guide: Clinical Skills Requirements and Situational Judgement Format (2026)

A complete guide to the NDECC exam based on the 2026 protocol. Covers the seven clinical skills requirements, Situational Judgement station format, grading criteria, and passing standards for internationally trained dentists.

For many internationally trained dentists, the NDECC phase feels different from the previous stages of the equivalency process. Earlier exams usually focus on theoretical review, interpretation, and application of knowledge. On the other hand, the NDECC evaluates broader skills, such as how candidates think, communicate, prioritize, and perform in situations that resemble real dental practice.


According to the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB), the NDECC is designed to assess the “clinical competence and judgement” of dentists trained in non-accredited programs. (ndeb-bned.ca) The examination combines two separate but connected components: Clinical Skills and Situational Judgement. Together, they assess whether candidates can perform according to current Canadian standards under realistic conditions.


Some candidates approach NDECC preparation the same way they prepared for earlier stages, focusing on review and note-based study. The exam assesses competency through performance, decision-making, communication, and consistency under pressure. Therefore, the preparation process becomes less about passive review and more about structured rehearsal, simulation, and guided feedback.


The NDECC is a two-day examination. The Clinical Skills component is a full day; candidates perform seven clinical requirements on a simulated patient (manikin). The Situational Judgement component is a half day, with ten stations completed in a separate session. The two components may run on either day one or day two. Together, they assess clinical skills and techniques alongside Patient-Centred Care, Professionalism, Communication and Collaboration, Practice and Information Management, and Health Promotion. Understanding that structure is the first step toward building a more effective preparation strategy.


The shift in exam format can feel unfamiliar at first. With a structured preparation plan and repeated, guided practice, the transition becomes manageable as skills are rehearsed instead of being tested for the first time on exam day.


NDECC Situational Judgement: Competencies and Format

One of the most common misunderstandings about the NDECC Situational Judgement component is the assumption that it is primarily an ethics exam. While ethical reasoning is certainly part of the assessment, the actual scope is much broader.

The NDECC Situational Judgement component evaluates five competency areas:

• Patient-Centred Care

• Professionalism

• Communication and Collaboration

• Practice and Information Management

• Health Promotion

Within these categories, candidates may be assessed on treatment sequencing, referrals, informed consent, documentation, communication with staff, interpretation of medical histories, social determinants of health, and evidence-based decision-making.


The Situational Judgement component consists of ten stations. All stations are video and/or voice-recorded. The exam is designed around judgment and application rather than isolated recall.


The grading structure also reflects this. The NDEB describes the “minimally competent” category as the lowest acceptable range of competence required to pass a station. In one official grading example, candidates are expected to:

• summarise the patient problem

• provide more than one treatment option

• explain advantages and disadvantages

• verify patient understanding

• communicate information in an organized manner


This means that successful performance goes beyond choosing a correct idea and depends on clear sequencing and structured clinical communication. As a result, Situational Judgement preparation increasingly depends on repeated scenario exposure, guided discussion, and mock-based rehearsal rather than theory review alone.


To pass the Situational Judgement component, candidates must pass a minimum of six of the ten stations and at least one station in each of the five competency areas.


At Scholars Dental, the new NDECC Situational Judgement preparation formats were developed around those exact preparation needs:

• Theory + Live combines theory review with weekly guided sessions and ongoing practice.

• Mini Mocks focus on repeated scenario-based application and targeted feedback.

• 1-on-1 Full Mock sessions allow students to test their responses under realistic conditions while receiving individualized guidance.

Rather than functioning as isolated products, these formats support different stages of Situational Judgement preparation and performance refinement.


NDECC Clinical Skills: Seven Requirements and Grading Criteria

The Clinical Skills component has a distinct format and grading structure.

The official NDECC protocol includes seven practical requirements:

• Class II amalgam preparation

• Class II amalgam restoration

• Class II composite resin restoration

• Class IV composite resin restoration

• Endodontic access cavity preparation

• Crown preparation

• Provisional crown restoration


Candidates complete these projects while following strict infection control and safety procedures in a simulated clinical setting.


The grading criteria themselves reveal how detailed the evaluation process is. Across restorative projects, endodontic access, and crown preparation, the protocol assesses:

• outline form

• structural durability

• margin integrity

• occlusal function

• surface finish

• proximal contacts

• soft tissue damage

• procedural damage

• retention form

• infection control performance


Clinical Skills preparation involves more than knowing the procedure. It involves:

• developing procedural consistency

• improving precision under time pressure

• rehearsing workflow repeatedly

• adapting to exam ergonomics

• refining fine motor control

• reducing avoidable errors


Candidates are permitted two infection control and safety errors. Three or more errors, or a single critical error, result in a failing grade for the Clinical Skills component.

Repeated exposure to simulated workflows, realistic equipment setups, and structured feedback can help students become more comfortable operating under exam conditions rather than simply reviewing procedural theory.


To pass the Clinical Skills component, candidates must obtain a passing grade on all seven clinical requirements.


How Does Simulation-Based Practice Improve NDECC Performance?

One of the major shifts candidates notice during NDECC preparation is that performance quality is often influenced by environment and repetition as much as by theoretical understanding.


Simulation-based practice environments help candidates rehearse:

• procedural flow

• workstation organization

• infection control habits

• positioning and ergonomics

• timing

• practical consistency under pressure


At the Scholars Dental Skills Centre, preparation is structured around simulation-based clinical rehearsal and guided performance feedback. The facility includes:

• A-dec® stations designed to resemble exam conditions

• simulation-based clinical settings

• live demonstrations

• instructor-guided work checks

• daily practice access

• infection control-focused workflow training


Instructor feedback also becomes important at this stage. Small adjustments related to hand positioning, preparation design, occlusal form, workflow sequencing, or infection control habits may affect overall consistency during the exam. Structured work checks and mock-based review help candidates identify those patterns earlier in their preparations.


This is particularly important in competency-based exams where repeated small omissions or workflow inconsistencies may affect performance across multiple requirements.


How Can You Build a Structured NDECC Preparation Plan?

Because the NDECC evaluates both judgement and clinical execution, preparation often becomes more effective when approached as a system rather than a collection of disconnected study activities.

A more structured preparation framework may include:

• theory and competency review

• repeated scenario application

• simulation-based clinical practice

• timed mock exposure

• personalized feedback

• ongoing performance refinement


Different students may need different combinations of these elements depending on their preparation stage, confidence level, and areas requiring improvement. Some candidates may need a stronger foundation in Situational Judgement competencies and communication frameworks. Others may benefit more from repeated mock exposure, one-on-one review, or extended clinical simulation practice.


This is why preparation formats have increasingly evolved toward layered support systems rather than single-format courses alone.


At Scholars Dental, the current NDECC preparation structure combines:

• competency-based Situational Judgement learning

• repeated mock practice

• simulation-focused clinical rehearsal

• A-dec®-based Skills Centre training

• instructor-guided feedback and work checks


The intention is to help candidates prepare not only for the information being assessed, but for the conditions and performance expectations surrounding the exam itself.


NDECC Exam Overview: Format and Requirements

The NDECC is not only a knowledge assessment. It is a competency-based examination designed to evaluate how candidates think, communicate, prioritize, and perform within realistic dental practice situations.


The official protocol reflects this through:

• practical clinical projects

• competency-based Situational Judgement stations

• structured grading rubrics

• infection control evaluation

• communication and decision-making requirements


As a result, preparation strategies often become more effective when they move beyond passive review and incorporate structured practice, realistic simulation, and guided performance feedback.


The NDECC often represents a new stage in the equivalency journey, especially because it evaluates judgement and clinical execution together. When preparation includes simulation-based practice, realistic exam-style rehearsal, and ongoing feedback, candidates steadily improve their performance under exam conditions and move closer to meeting the required competencies.

For internationally trained dentists approaching the NDECC phase, understanding this shift early can influence how preparation time is organized and prioritized.

Students interested in Situational Judgement preparation formats, simulation-based Skills Centre training, or mock-based practice options can explore NDECC preparation courses on the Scholars Dental website.


Frequently Asked Questions

How many times can you take the NDECC?

The NDECC may be taken any number of times within 60 months of passing the ACJ, or from the date the NDECC was introduced, whichever applies.

What happens if you fail only one component?

If you fail either the Clinical Skills or Situational Judgement component, you are only required to retake the failed component.

How many stations do you need to pass in the Situational Judgement?

You must pass a minimum of six of the ten stations and at least one station in each of the five competency areas.

How long is the NDECC exam?

The NDECC is a two-day examination. The Clinical Skills component is a full day and the Situational Judgement component is a half day.

What are the seven clinical requirements?

Class II amalgam preparation, Class II amalgam restoration, Class II composite resin restoration, Class IV composite resin restoration, endodontic access cavity preparation, crown preparation, and provisional crown restoration.


Sources:

bottom of page