Qualifying Written Examination

I. Introduction

The Qualifying Written Examination (QWE) is the second 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 PBPD has defined the content to be tested. The candidate is expected to have an in-depth knowledge of all topics. The QWE must be successfully completed before the candidate can register for the Case Presentation and then for the Clinical Oral Review Examination sections.

II. Schedule of the QWE

The QWE is scheduled every third Monday of February or alternative dates in February at a venue to be announced.

III. Application for Qualifying Written

A Candidate will be allowed to sit for the Qualifying Written Examination upon passing the validation of credentials and submitting the requirements set forth by the Examination committee. He must submit the completed application and the examination fee by November 15 prior to the scheduled February exam. The Application form and proof of payment can be sent to the PBPD Secretariat office or submitted electronically to philboardofpediatricdentistry@gmail.com.

Cancellation and Forfeiture of Fees for the QWE

  • Cancellation prior to January 15 - forfeiture of 40% of the examination fee
  • Cancellation after January 15 - forfeiture of 60% of the examination fee
  • Failure to appear for exam - forfeiture of the entire examination fee
  • Examination fees paid cannot be applied for other schedules/year

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.

IV. Description of the Examination

The Qualifying Written Examination is composed of a total of 300 objective, single-best answer, multiple-choice items. The Candidate will have two (2) 4-hour sessions to complete the examination.

The QWE is intended to assess the Candidate’s understanding of the scientific and biological principles that support the practice of pediatric dentistry, as well as current literature relating to pediatric dentistry. The successful Candidate must demonstrate a well-rounded in-depth knowledge of pediatric dentistry. This examination is not intended to duplicate the clinical application of pediatric oral health care that will be tested during the other components of the certification process.

V. Examination Areas

The same degree of emphasis and in-depth level of knowledge are required in the following areas:

  1. Microbiology
    1. Biological etiology of caries
    2. Transmission of cariogenic bacteria
    3. Epidemiology and treatment of periodontal disease
    4. Immunology
    5. Research design
    6. Infection control
  2. Periodontology
  3. Prevention and anticipatory guidance
    1. Risk assessment
    2. Diet & nutrition
    3. Fluorides
    4. Remineralization
    5. Sealants
    6. Mouthguards
    7. Tobacco/substance abuse
    8. Infant/adolescent/pre-natal/pregnant oral health care
  4. Craniofacial growth and developing dentition and occlusion
    1. Anatomy and embryology
    2. Dental development and morphology
    3. Theories of growth
    4. Guidance of developing occlusion
    5. Cephalometrics
    6. Habits
    7. Space management
  5. Restorative dentistry and oral rehabilitation
    1. Dental materials
    2. Oral surgery
    3. Prosthetics
    4. Esthetic dentistry
    5. Operative dentistry
  6. Oral diagnosis/oral pathology/oral medicine
    1. Radiology and radiation hygiene
    2. Dental anomalies
    3. Epidemiology and treatment of oral diseases
    4. Temperomandibular disorders
  7. Medical emergencies in the dental office
  8. Hospital Dentistry
  9. Emergency Medicine
  10. Special health care needs
    1. Common findings and general medical considerations of congenital syndromes/diseases/disorders.
    2. Common findings and general medical considerations of acquired pediatric diseases/conditions.
    3. Oral manifestations of congenital and acquired pediatric medical conditions
    4. Implications of SHCN for delivery of oral health care
  11. Child development/behavior guidance
    1. Physical, psychological, and social development and assessment
    2. Principles of communication
  12. Anxiety and pain control
    1. Non-pharmacological behavior guidance
    2. Sedation and general anesthesia
  13. Pulp therapy/orofacial trauma
    1. Pulp biology and pathology
    2. Indications and rationale for pulp treatment
    3. Orofacial trauma
    4. Soft tissue injuries
    5. Child abuse and neglect
  14. Jurisprudence and Risk Management

VI. Recommendations for Preparation

The QWE is not based on a single resource. Candidates should focus on the scientific and biologic basis for pediatric dentistry and not on clinical practices. Listed below are the current potential resources for study that include textbooks on pediatric dentistry, pediatric medicine, craniofacial growth and development, dental trauma, and pulp therapy.

  1. Andreasen, Andreasen, Anderssen. Textbook and Color Atlas of Traumatic Injuries to the Teeth.
  2. Casamassimo, P.S., Fields, H.W., McTigue, D.J., & Nowak, A.J. Pediatric Dentistry: Infancy Through Adolescence.
  3. Dean, McDonald, Avery. Dentistry for the Child and Adolescent.
  4. Feldman, Robert S. Child Development
  5. Hallonsten, A.L., Jensen, B., Raadal, M., Veerkamp, J., Hosey, M.T., Poulsen, S. EAPD Guideline on Sedation in Pediatric Dentistry
  6. Hargreaves & Cohen. Cohen's Pathways of the Pulp.
  7. Harris and Christen. Pirmary Preventive Dentistry.
  8. Hennekam, Krantz, & Allanson. Gorlin's Syndromes of the Head and Neck
  9. Hiatt, J.L., & Gartner, L.P. Textbook of Head and Neck Anatomy.
  10. Jones KL: Smith's Recognizable Patterns of Human Malformation.
  11. Kliegman, Behrman, Jenson, & Stanton. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics.
  12. Little, James W., Fallace, Donald, Miller, Craig, Rhodus, Nelson L.. Dental Management of the Medically Compromised Patient.
  13. Neville, Damm, Allen, & Bouquot. Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology.
  14. Nowak, A.J., & Casamassimo, P.S., AAPD Handbook
  15. Oates, John and Grayson, Andrew Cognitive and Language Development in Children
  16. Pinkham, JR, et al: Pediatric Dentistry: Infancy through Adolescence.
  17. Profit, Fields, & Sarver. Contemporary Orthodontics.
  18. Regezzi JA and Sciubba JJ: Oral Pathology: Clinical Pathological Considerations
  19. Scully C and Welbury R: Color Atlas of Oral Diseases in Children and Adolescents.
  20. Stanley F. Malamed. Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office
  21. Stanley F. Malamed. Sedation: A Guide to Patient Management.
  22. Wei, Stephen. Pediatric Dentistry: Total Patient Care
  23. Weintraub, Douglass and Gillings: Biostats data analysis for dental health care professionals.
  24. Widmer, & Cameron. Handbook of Pediatric Dentistry.
  25. Wright, Gerald Z., and Ari Kupietzky. Behavior Management in Dentistry for Children
  26. AAPD Reference Manual: Definitions, Oral Health Policies, and Clinical Guidelines (updated annually)

VII. Day of the Examination

On the day of the examination, the candidate shall register at the testing site with the test permit. The notarized Nondisclosure Agreement Form and Waiver will be collected at the registration area. These documents shall be emailed to the candidate after receipt of the examination fee. It is the responsibility of the candidate to have these documents notarized upon submission. Candidates with incomplete documents will not be allowed to sit for the examination and will have to reapply.

The candidates are not allowed to talk about the examination process and questions to anyone. You will be signing a waiver that inhibits you from these kinds of discussion. Failure to abide by this rule will result in cancellation of your candidate or diplomate status.

No support materials will be allowed at the candidate's examination station. No communication between or among candidates will be allowed during the examination. Failure to comply may invalidate the candidate's examination results and prompt referral to the Board's Ethics Committee. Each session must be completed according to the time schedule for that session.

VIII. Grading

The examination will be scored Pass/Fail – one score for the entire examination. Results of the examination will be conveyed to the candidate within 30 working days. Candidates who get a passing grade may go on to take the Case Presentation Examination.

IX. Re-examination Policy

Candidates who fail the Qualifying Written Examination may retake the examination after re-application and submission of all requirements. Candidates have six (6) years to complete the 3-part Diplomate examination process starting from the time the QWE is first taken.

The Candidate who fails the QWE 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. Examples of further training and education experiences include but are not limited to attendance at review courses, continuing education programs, and study clubs.