ASDA is pleased to report that after years of advocating for the removal of human subjects in live clinical testing scenarios, external agencies are releasing non-patient based alternatives. 

In 2015, ASDA Past President Christian Piers submitted a request for the ADA Council on Dental Education and Licensure (CDEL) to develop a business plan to create an OSCE exam. Five years later and the ADA announced expedited plans to release the Dental Licensure Objective Structured Clinical Exam (DLOSCE) in light of this national crisis. This is a huge win for dental students and the dental community. 

Additionally, the Central Regional Dental Testing Service (CRDTS) announced their release of an all-manikin exam that can be administered for licensure. ASDA is also in communication with all other testing agencies that have plans to fast-track the development of their own manikin exam. 

However, there is still work to be done. Each state dental board needs to accept these as pathways to licensure. That’s why ASDA is working on a state by state strategy with chapter advocates to advance reform. 

ASDA believes that an ideal exam should include a manikin assessment, an objective structured clinical exam and a portfolio. However, we see these recent developments as critical in paving the way to achieve our ideal. 

We will be holding a COVID-19 Licensure Update Town Hall on Tuesday, April 7 at 7:30 pm CT to answer all questions and look forward to you joining. In the meantime, stay safe and celebrate these advancements in licensure reform. 

Sincerely, 

Sydney Shapiro

2020-21 ASDA President

ASDA is aware of the issues you face as a dental student during these difficult times. We continue to monitor the developments around COVID-19 and are respecting the guidelines and mandates from the federal government and the CDC. Our first priority is the health, safety and well-being of everyone.

ASDA remains focused on COVID-19 ramifications that are affecting dental students. We have been in contact with the American Dental Association (ADA), American Dental Education Association (ADEA) and American Association of Dental Boards (AADB) about the following issues:

• The postponement of graduation and clinical examinations aimed at protecting the health and safety of everyone
• Concern about loans and losing the loan deferment period due to the postponement of several licensure exams

ASDA is advocating for regional testing agencies and state dental boards to endorse a licensure process involving a manikin-based assessment along with a diagnostic skills assessment, available for fourth year dental students when schools re-open.

ASDA is also recommending testing agencies and state boards consider providing 2020 graduates of CODA-accredited programs with preliminary licensure, allowing graduates adequate time to prepare for a clinical examination. Please review the correspondence that has been distributed to the ADA, ADEA, AADB, Dental School Deans, Regional Testing Agencies and State Dental Boards. 

ASDA sent a letter to House and Senate leaders, encouraging them to consider deferring interest on federal student loans for dental students while in dental school, or a residency and deferring all monthly payments on federal student loans for all health care professionals, including dentists, without penalty. Please review the letters. 

Regarding future national meetings, the ASDA April 3-5, 2020 Spring Council and Board meeting has been postponed until a later date. ADA Dentist and Student Lobby Day has been cancelled. We will refund registrations that we received for this meeting. 

Please check our website for updates on these issues.  ASDA continues to advocate on your behalf.  

Regards,

Sydney Shapiro
President
American Student Dental Association