Hello TTD friends,
Today, let’s discuss Written and OSCE.
Passing the Equivalency process is a huge accomplishment ! Congratulations! You have crossed the biggest hurdle (ACS) and it is a huge burden off your shoulders. I started gathering study material for this exam a week after my ACS exam, ( no you won’t jinx it by starting reading for the next exam too soon). I bought the latest version of Dental Decks part 2 for written part of the exam. For OSCE I looked at as many clinically relevant pictures as I could and joined The Golden target training centre to do mock OCSE exams, I am glad I did.
For written exam, read dental decks part 2 and solve all the released questions. Find study partners and discuss the released questions so you know that you have the right answers. Some questions are just test questions, they don’t have one correct answer and it is impossible to agree on one answer, if you get a test question in the exam, don’t worry everyone will get the same score for that particular question. Try to keep an eye on the time during the, don’t get stuck on one question. Don’t leave any question unanswered as there is no negative marking. Released questions are available on NDEB website, you will remember most of these questions from your AFK preparation.
https://ndeb-bned.ca/sites/ndeb/files/pdf/Resources/ndebreleasedquestions_2019_1.pdf
The OSCE questions are usually very long and there are up to 15 choices, there is negative marking just like ACJ exam, it doesn’t matter if you picked 5 correct options, but if you pick one wrong option with them, the whole answer gets a zero score. So, only pick the choices that you are a 100% sure about.
Be very careful with the prescription writing questions, read the question carefully, look for allergies, contraindications etc then write everything carefully. There is a sample of prescription format available on NDEB website.
You will be required to evaluate preparations and restorations for OSCE. Don’t evaluate them like you would your ACS work. Just look for very obvious preparation or restoration mistakes and that is sufficient.
Practice looking at lots of X-rays, I used White and Pharoah. For Oral Pathology, I used Neville, and went over oral conditions and treatment. You will remember most of this stuff from your ACJ preparation.
You also need to read Medical emergencies in dental office by Malamed and Handbook of Local anaesthesia by Malamed. You should be able to recognize signs and symptoms of medical emergencies and know the protocols and treatment for every emergency. Also remember your basic CPR And first aid training.
OSCE tests the basic competencies of a beginner dentist, it will be sum total of everything you have learned in dental school and equivalency process.
The day you finish your Written and OSCE, you will be the happiest person alive! Spend time with your family and relax and unwind before you jump into registration with provincial regulatory bodies.
Hope this helps , if you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact me.
Yours Truly,
The Travelling Dentist