ASDA, along with the ADA, ADEA, SPEA, and many other dental organizations and school administrations believe that in order to protect the public, maintain the integrity of the profession, and ensure only competent graduates earn a dental license, performing exams on human subjects must end.

ASDA’s L-1 policy: Initial Licensure Pathways, outlines ASDA’s exact ideal alternative exam, as follows:

ASDA understands alternatives that are preferable to the current process exist, however the Association believes an ideal licensure exam:

• Does not use human subjects in a live clinical testing scenario
• Is psychometrically valid and reliable in its assessment
• Is reflective of the scope of current dental practice
• Is universally accepted

The American Student Dental Association (ASDA) believes demonstration of both kinesthetic and clinical decision-making competence is necessary to obtain initial dental licensure. ASDA believes this should be demonstrated through the following:

• Manikin-based kinesthetic assessment,
• A non-patient based Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and
• Submission of a portfolio of comprehensive patient care.

ASDA is a founding member of the Coalition for Modernizing Dental Licensure (CMDL). The mission is to ensure patient safety, increase access to care, and promote professional mobility by modernizing the dental licensure process. There are 75 coalition member organizations, which are national, state and local organizations and agencies committed to and actively engaged in advancing the mission and goals of the Coalition.