Case Presentation Examination

I. Introduction

The Case Presentation Examination (CPE) is the third phase of a four-part Philippine Board of Pediatric Dentistry (PBPD) certification process and is designed to provide evidence toward validation of the candidate’s advanced training in pediatric dentistry.

The purpose of the Case Presentation is to assess the candidate's treatment planning ability and knowledge of various aspects of treatment after Pediatric Dentistry training. Comprehensive patient care must be documented.

II. Objectives

The Case Presentation Examination (CPE) offers each candidate the opportunity to demonstrate and document proficiency in the diagnosis and treatment of a broad range of clinical problems common to the contemporary practice of pediatric dentistry. The clinical judgment and skills demonstrated in the cases selected by the candidate must be of a standard expected from a Pediatric Dentist who aspires for Diplomate status. To achieve this end, the candidate must demonstrate:

  1. Sustained successful treatment results that are of high quality
  2. Excellence in patient records documentation; and
  3. Knowledge and ability to solve clinical cases in pediatric dentistry.

III. Application for Case Presentation Examination

A Candidate may apply for the Phase III Case Presentation Examination once she/he has passed the Phase II Qualifying Written Examination.

The application for Case Presentation Examination together with the examination fee must be submitted on or before April 15 of the current year when the Case Presentation is intended to be submitted. The Case Presentation must be submitted on or before June 15 of the same year via email and thumbdrive.

IV. Cancellation and Forfeiture of Fees

  • Cancellation prior to May 15 - forfeiture of 40% of the examination fee
  • Cancellation after May 15 - 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 application, a letter addressed to the PBPD Secretary must be submitted stating the reason for cancellation. Failure to do so could result in forfeiture of the whole examination fee.

V. Description of the Examination

The Case Presentation phase of the PBPD Board Certification is designed to offer the Candidate the opportunity to demonstrate and document proficiency in the diagnosis and treatment of a broad range of clinical issues common to the contemporary practice of pediatric dentistry. Candidates are required to submit four (4) cases from different categories that document comprehensive oral health care of a child including diagnosis, treatment plan, delivery of care, and follow-up evaluations.

There are 6 categories to choose from: trauma, periodontal therapy, orthodontic therapy, restorative therapy using general anesthesia or sedation, restorative therapy for a child with special health care needs, and restorative therapy without using general anesthesia or sedation. Within each category, there are a number of case options available to the Candidates.

The Case Presentation should be submitted in a standardized format. This mandatory format provides a template where Candidates can apply their clinical information (including photocopies of original records, photographs, and radiographs) and verify that they have met the requirements for submission of cases. Candidates are given very detailed instructions as to the preparation/presentation of each case. This uniform format eliminates unnecessary information from the case presentation and allows the case assessment to proceed in a clearer and more objective fashion.

Candidates may select cases from the following case categories:

  • Category 1 – Dental Trauma
    • Case 1A – Coronal Fracture of Permanent Incisor Involving Enamel and Dentin
    • Case 1B – Complete Avulsion of Permanent Incisor Treated with Replantation
    • Case 1C – Root Fracture of a Permanent Incisor
    • Case 1D – Crown Fracture or Luxation Injury of Primary Incisor Involving Pulp Therapy
  • Category 2 – Periodontal Therapy
    • Case 2A – Treatment of Generalized or Localized Pre-pubertal/Juvenile Periodontitis
    • Case 2B – Surgical Correction of a Mucogingival Defect
    • Case 2C – Treatment of Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis
    • Case 2D – Surgical Management of a Frenum
      • Option 1 – Surgical Management of a Labial Frenum
      • Option 2 – Surgical Management of Restrictive Lingual Frenum
    • Case 2E – Surgical Management of Fibrous Gingival Hyperplasia
  • Category 3 – Orthodontic Therapy
    • Case 3A – Interceptive Orthodontic Case – Correction of an anterior cross bite, posterior cross bite, anterior open bite, excessive over jet, deep bite or space regaining in the primary or early mixed dentition. Interceptive treatment must restore occlusion development to a normal pattern for the primary or mixed dentition.
    • Case 3B – Comprehensive Orthodontic Case – Correction of a complex malocclusion with comprehensive management required into the adolescent permanent dentition with utilization of orthodontic appliances. Overall treatment may involve multiple phases to include growth modification but must show final completion into the dentition.
  • Category 4 – Restorative Therapy using Sedation or General Anesthesia for Patient Management
    • Case 4A – Comprehensive restorative care involving the use of sedation to manage the patient. Interproximal caries must be restored in three sextants or more with at least one primary molar requiring a pulpotomy or pulpectomy and a stainless steel crown.
    • Case 4B – Comprehensive restorative care involving the use of general anesthesia to manage the patient. Interproximal caries must be restored in three sextants or more with at least one primary molar requiring a pulpotomy or pulpectomy and a stainless steel crown.
  • Category 5 – Special Health Care Needs with Emphasis on Restorative Therapy
    • Comprehensive restorative care for a child presenting medical, physical and/ or mental disabilities which require special management to accomplish comprehensive dental care. A letter from the primary physician or photocopy of the medical record describing the disability must be provided. Management may involve use of sedation, general anesthesia or non-pharmacological behavior techniques to accomplish the dental treatment. Interproximal caries must be restored in two sextants or more with at least one primary tooth requiring pulpotomy or pulpectomy and a stainless steel crown.
  • Category 6 – Restorative Therapy for a Child Without the Use of Sedation or General Anesthesia
    • Comprehensive restorative care in the primary or mixed dentition without use of sedation or general anesthesia to manage the patient. The use of nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation is acceptable. Interproximal caries must be restored in three sextants or more with at least one primary molar requiring a pulpotomy/pulpectomy and a stainless steel crown.

VI. Examination Blueprint

The CASE PRESENTATION section requires submission of FOUR (4) separate categories of pediatric dental patient care documented with specific criteria for presentation. The FOUR (4) CASE SUBMISSIONS must be selected from the six (6) major Case Category options. A brief discussion of the four (4) cases will be required upon submission.

In the presentation of case materials for each of the case categories, the candidate must submit a formal written discussion to document the diagnostic and treatment aspects of the individual patient. This case presentation includes meeting the specific CASE CATEGORY CRITERIA for each of the individual case selections and documentation of COMPREHENSIVE ORAL HEALTH CARE of the child including diagnosis, treatment planning, delivery of care, and follow-up evaluations. The documentation requires a minimum follow-up assessment period for the practitioner and the Board to determine treatment outcomes in the comprehensive care provided for that patient.

VII. Recommendations for Preparation

  1. Case categories cannot be combined within a single patient record. Four individual cases representing FOUR SEPARATE PATIENTS from FOUR different categories must be presented. All four case Presentations must be submitted at one time for evaluation.
  2. The PBPD endorses the current American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s Definitions, Oral Health Policies and Clinical Guidelines (www.aapd.org/policies). The candidate should be familiar with and adhere to these guidelines and criteria.
  3. The PBPD Handbook for Case Presentation that will be provided is the guide to be used in preparing for the Case Presentation. Please refer to the Handbook for Case Presentation for instructions on how to prepare for submission.

VIII. Day of Submission

Completed cases will be submitted no later than 5:00 PM of June 15 to the PBPD Secretariat. All submitted materials will be the property of the PBPD.

IX. Grading

Each case submission is graded independently according to STANDARD EVALUATION AREAS which assess specific criteria appropriate to the case category and the comprehensive care provided to the patient. The specific and general evaluation topics for each category are formatted on standard grade sheets which mirror the typical formats outlined on the Candidate's Case Presentation Worksheet for each of the separate case categories (enclosed). Cases are objectively graded using these evaluation topics with each separate case receiving a PASS or FAIL assessment.

  • Any case scored as a "PASS" is credited to the Candidate toward fulfillment of the three case requirements for the duration of the six -year certification period. The candidate is informed of the "PASS" assessment for the specific category. A candidate must receive a "PASS" evaluation in three cases to successfully complete the Case Presentation Section.
  • A case determined as a "FAILURE" is judged for failure to meet either the case specific criteria and/ or the comprehensive care requirements using the grading standards as described. A "FAILURE" may also result from commission of a Critical Error (see section on Critical Errors, page 6). The candidate shall be informed in writing as to the reasons for the FAIL assessment. Any case judged as a "FAILURE" cannot be resubmitted; a new case in the same category should be submitted.

Results of the examination will be conveyed to the candidate within 60 days after the test is administered. Candidates who get a passing grade may go on to take Phase IV, Clinical Oral Presentation Examination (CORE) section.

IX. Re-examination Policy

Candidates who fail the Case Presentation section may retake the examination annually within their 6 -year eligibility period. The eligibility period begins when the candidate sits for his/her initial Qualifying Written Examination regardless of the outcome and terminates on December 31 of the 6th year.

However, the Candidate who fails the Case Presentation three times within the six-year eligibility period must show evidence of further training and/or educational experiences before reapplying. The evidence will be reviewed by the Appeals Committee.