I. Introduction
The Clinical Oral Review Examination (CORE) is the last phase of the four-part Philippine Board of Pediatric Dentistry (PBPD) certification process and is designed to validate the candidate’s advanced training in pediatric dentistry. The PBPD assesses the candidate's treatment planning ability and knowledge of various aspects of treatment.
II. Eligibility for Application
Candidates have to successfully complete Phase III- the Case Presentation before they can apply for the CORE.
III. Application for Clinical Oral Review Examination
This is currently offered annually every third Monday of November. Space is limited and will be filled on a first-come first-served basis.
An applicant for the CORE must submit the completed application and the examination fee on or before August 15 of the year the CORE will be taken.
IV. Cancellation and Forfeiture of Fees for CORE
- Cancellation prior to November 01 - forfeiture of 40% of the examination fee
- Cancellation after November 01 - forfeiture of 60% of the examination fee
- Failure to appear for exam - forfeiture of the examination fee
- Examination fees are not transferable from one year to another
To cancel the application, a letter addressed to the PBPD Secretary must be submitted stating the reason for cancellation. Failure to do so may forfeit the whole amount of application fee.
V. Description of the Examination
The Clinical Oral Review Examination is designed to assess the Candidate’s clinical knowledge and judgment. The candidate should be able to demonstrate proficiency in diagnosis, treatment planning and clinical care in pediatric dentistry. The examination is conducted only in English.
VI. Examination Blueprint
The examination is composed of two 75-minute sessions with a 30-minute break between the two sessions. Each session consists of 4 clinical vignettes that are presented to the candidate successively for discussion. Each clinical vignette is discussed in 15 minutes and is administered by a group of two examiners from the PBPD.
Clinical vignettes focus on:
- Behavior Guidance
- Prevention (caries risk assessment and detection, preventive dentistry)
- Management of the Developing Occlusion
- Comprehensive Care (diagnosis and treatment planning)
- Hospital Dentistry
- Oral Pathology
- Special Health Care Needs
- Trauma
The Candidate is expected to quote literature references to support his/her statements on the following topics during the examination:
- Radiographic Examination
- Subjective and Objective Examination
- Diagnosis
- Etiology
- Pathogenesis
- Application of Biological Principles
- Treatment
- Complications of Treatment
- Medical History
- Prognosis
The Candidate will be presented a brief introduction of the case to be discussed, followed by a series of questions regarding the patient's medical/dental history, diagnosis and treatment options. Many, but not all, cases will include images projected on a flat-panel monitor. The Candidate can ask questions about the patient and request that an image or images be revisited.
Examiners utilize "open-ended questions" to assess the Candidate's knowledge and skills. Candidates will benefit by giving evidenced-based answers and occasionally citing references to support rationale. Candidates will be expected to have evidenced-based knowledge of all currently acceptable therapy whether they perform the procedures in practice or not and in all types of pediatric patients.
VII. Recommendations for Preparation
While there is no standard method to prepare for the Clinical Oral Review Examination, Candidates should consider reviewing the AAPD Reference Manual, attending continuing education preparation courses, reviewing their favorite pediatric dentistry textbook and atlas, keeping current by reading contemporary journals and/or oral examination role-playing with colleagues.
Resources/References:
- Oral Health Policies and Clinical Guidelines in the AAPD Reference Manual (current edition)
- The Handbook of Pediatric Dentistry, AAPD (current edition)
- Review recent studies, clinical reports and articles.
- Cameron, Widmer. Handbook of Pediatric Dentistry (current edition)
- Millet, Wellbury. Clinical Problem Solving in Orthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry (current edition)
- Dean, McDonald, Avery. Dentistry for the Child and Adolescent (current edition)
- Casamassimo, Fields, McTigue, Nowak. Pediatric Dentistry: Infancy Through Adolescence (current edition)
VIII. Day of the Examination
While the examination consists of a two-hour time period, check-in and identification procedures, and pre-exam orientation will require Candidates to be prepared to spend a total of up to three hours for the entire process.
No support materials will be allowed at the candidate's examination station. No communication between and among Candidates will be allowed during the examination. Each session must be completed according to the time schedule for that session.
Personal items including but not limited to cellular phones, computers, PDA, recording devices, reference materials, purses, backpacks or briefcases cannot be brought to the registration, orientation, or testing center. The presence of any of the above devices will be cause for immediate dismissal from the examination and an automatic failure.
IX. Confidentiality Agreement
All Candidates are required to sign a confidentiality agreement. The application cannot be submitted for processing if left unchecked. The information and cases presented as part of the Oral Clinical Examination are confidential and copyrighted. The Candidates must agree not to discuss or in any way disseminate information regarding the content of the examination.
If PBPD is informed that a Candidate has breached the confidentiality agreement, an investigation will be initiated by the Ethics Committee. If the Candidate is guilty, sanctions will be imposed on the Candidate.
X. Grading
The PBPD utilizes the following criteria for scoring. Questions and acceptable answers are developed for each Skill Sets of a vignette. Each Skill Set shall be scored:
- Data Gathering
- Diagnosis Management
- Treatment Planning Treatment Variations/Complications
The Scoring Categories are as follows:
| 4 | Demonstrates full and in-depth understanding of the application of the skill within the context of the case. |
| 3 | Demonstrates use of the skill appropriately within the context of the case. |
| 2 | Demonstrates less than full understanding of the application of the skill to the case. |
| 1 | Demonstrates wrong or inappropriate understanding of the application of the skill to the case. |
The Examiners independently score each Skill Set based on the Candidate's response. Examiners do not discuss scores or come to a consensus.
To assure valid and reliable examinations, the Examiners are not allowed to give Candidates any feedback on their responses.
Candidates are encouraged to apply knowledge to a clinical situation, defend a point of view in a convincing manner and not use stalling tactics by being excessively slow in response leading to insufficient information in the time allotted.
XI. Re-examination Policy
The candidate who fails the CORE may retake the examination annually within their six-year eligibility period. If the Candidate fails to successfully complete the CORE in the 6-year period, his Qualifying Written Examination and Case Presentation Examination scores are forfeited and he must start the process over.