Purpose of the Test

Purpose of the Test

The testing program is designed to measure general academic ability, comprehension of scientific information, and perceptual ability. While all dental schools require examinees to participate in the Dental Admission Testing Program, test results are only one factor considered in evaluating the admission potential of an examinee.
Contact Information
ADA Department of Testing Services
211 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 600
Chicago, IL 60611
800-232-1694
Email:  datexam@ada.org 

Step 5: Score Reports

All U.S. dental schools require official DAT scores for each examinee.  Official scores are reported electronically to the dental schools you select on your DAT application. When you select dental schools to receive your official scores, you grant the Department of Testing Services permission to release your official scores to the dental schools you selected on your DAT application.
Additionally, when you select dental schools on your DAT application that participate in a standardized application service (ADEA AADSAS or TMDSAS), the Department of Testing Services will report your official scores to the application services. If your DAT application has no dental schools selected, then you have not granted permission to the Department of Testing Services to release your official scores and your official scores will not be forwarded to the standardized application services. 
Schools selected at the time of application are included in the DAT fee regardless of the number of schools selected. You can also request that a score report be sent to your predental advisor at no charge at the time of application. The Department of Testing Services will accept updates to the schools you selected if you submit the update prior to your testing appointment. To update your selections, complete the form below under Addtional Score Reports.
At the completion of your testing appointment, you will receive an unofficial score report at the Prometric Testing Center. Your test responses are audited for accuracy before official scores are reported to the dental schools requested on your DAT application.
Beginning in 2012, the unofficial score report provided at Prometric Test Centers will include standard scores only. The percentile information will no longer be computed or reported. This change means that the score report information provided at Prometric Test Centers will be consistent with the scoring information received by dental schools, AADSAS and TMDSAS.
Please retain the unofficial report given to you at the Prometric Test Center; otherwise you must pay for an additional copy.  

Additional Score Reports    

When you request an additional score report for dental schools and other institutions, an official score report is sent. When you request an additional score report for yourself, you will receive an unofficial score report.There is a fee as noted in the DAT Guide for each report. Processing of additional score report requests requires approximately four weeks. Designate where to send an additional score report on the electronic form below or download and complete the PDF document below. 

• Request Score Report (Electronic)
• Request Score Report (PDF)      

To have your examination results audited, complete the form below and submit the appropriate fee:

• Audit My DAT (PDF)

Step 4: Take the Test at a Prometric Test Center

Prometric Test Centers begin replacing current markers and dry erase boards with laminated note boards and low-odor fine tip permanent markers as supplies are depleted. Erasers will not be provided; however, examinees will receive two laminated note boards and two permanent markers. Examinees may raise their hand to notify the  proctor for additional note boards and markers.

Examinees who experience concerns about scheduling issues, testing conditions, or any unresolved problem should inform the Test Administrator before leaving the test center and record this information in the appropriate section of the post-test survey. For issues requiring further action, examinees must contact the Dental Admission Testing Program within five business days of the testing appointment. 

Tutorial

The link below provides online access to the DAT Tutorial and a preview of the DAT format.

• DAT Tutorial  

Helpful Prometric Links

Prometric Privacy Policy  

Prometric Frequently Asked Questions
 Prometric Biometric Enabled Check-In

• Overview
• What to Expect  
• What to Expect on Test Day
• What to Expect on Test Day  (You-Tube Video)

Step 3: Schedule a Time to Take the Test

You must apply to take the test with the ADA and receive your eligibility letter prior to scheduling your testing appointment with Prometric. Tests are administered year-round at Prometric Test Centers in the United States, it's territories including Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada.

Advanced Scheduling

To increase the likelihood you will receive your first choice of date, time and location, you should schedule 60 to 90 days before the desired test date. Please remember, you may schedule your testing appointment with Prometric only upon receipt of your eligibility letter.

Rescheduling Testing Appointments

Rescheduling your testing appointment will result in a rescheduling fee.

Canceling Testing Appointments

Canceling your testing appointment will result in a complete forfeiture of your testing fee (as noted in Step 2 above, testing fees are nonrefundable).

Test Preparation Material

The Dental Admission Testing Program does not endorse any commercial test preparation courses and has no information on the content or efficacy of test preparation courses designed to prepare examinees to take the DAT. The Department of Testing Services urges individuals considering participating in test preparation courses to review carefully the course materials to ensure that they reflect the current content of the DAT.
The DAT program offers a complete DAT Practice Test. The DAT Practice Test is available in both a Web-based and print format; both are the 2009 edition. The Web-based is a timed test (four hours and 30 minutes in length) which reflects the actual DAT testing time. If the time expires before you complete the DAT Practice Test, it must be purchased again. Immediately upon conclusion of the practice test, the test-taker will receive a printout of the number of correct answers (raw scores). The report includes the total number of items as well as the number of correct responses (raw scores) for each of the four tests and the three sections (biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry) under the Survey of Sciences (SNS).
Test-takers are encouraged to review the DAT Tutorial (located under Step 4) before taking the DAT. The tutorial provides some sample items and information about navigating through the test.
Before you purchase the Web-based DAT Practice Test, review general information about the test. Then, click on the link below and submit the appropriate fee with a valid credit card. Download Prometric's recommended computer system requirements here.

• Web-based DAT Practice Test  2009 edition ($37 per single purchase)  

To purchase the print format DAT Practice Test, complete the PDF form below and submit the appropriate fee with a money order or certified check.

• DAT Practice Test Test Order Form (PDF)  Print format, 2009 edition ($27 + tax and shipping) 
• DAT Sample Test Items (PDF) 2007 edition (free download)

Step 2: Obtain a DENTPIN® and Apply to take the Test (No Refund)

Before you can apply to take the DAT or apply for admission to a dental school, you must obtain a DENTPIN.Click here for more information on DENTPIN®.
Testing fees are non-refundable and non-transferable (no exceptions). Your credit card will be charged when you submit your application.

• DAT Electronic Application    
• DAT Test Accommodation Request (PDF)


Electronic Notification of DAT Eligibility  
Upon processing of an examinee's DAT application, examinees will receive an e-mail notification of eligibility for testing and instructions for appointment scheduling. (Please check your Spam folder if unable to locate the notification, especially for Hotmail, Gmail, and Yahoo accounts.)

Step 1: Read the DAT Guide

Please review the Guide, specifically the Eligibility Requirements, Rules of Conduct, Test Regulations, Irregularities/Appeals, Testing Procedures, Testing Checklist and Frequently Asked Questions.   

During the application process you will be asked to confirm that you have read the Guide and agree to the rules and regulations contained within the document. Examinees are responsible for understanding the information contained within the Guide. Examinees that violate test rules or regulations may have their test scores voided and have to wait up to two years to retest.        

• DAT Guide (PDF)
• 2013 DAT Guide (PDF)   
• Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
• Arbitration Agreement (PDF)
• Test Day Checklist (PDF)

National Board Dental Examinations

DAT (Dental AdmissionTest) :

 The Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) administers several standardized tests to evaluate the preparedness of individuals for the study and practice of dentistry.
The purpose of the Part I, Part II, and Dental Hygiene examinations is to assist state boards in determining qualifications of dentists/dental hygienists who seek licensure to practice dentistry/dental hygiene. These  examinations  assess the ability to understand important information from basic biomedical and dental/dental hygiene sciences and also the ability to apply such information in a problem-solving context.
Specific dental and dental hygiene licensure requirements vary among jurisdictions, but all jurisdictions have three basic requirements: an educational requirement, a written examination requirement and a clinical examination requirement. You must complete all three for basic licensure requirements.
Before you can apply to take any of the examinations, you must obtain a DENTPIN®. For more information on DENTPIN, click here.
Contact Information
The Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations
211 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 600
Chicago , Illinois 60611-2678
800-232-1694

Taking care of teeth

Plaque

Most mouth woes are caused by plaque. Plaque is a sticky layer of bacteria, bits of food and other organic matter that forms on your teeth. The bacteria in plaque make acids that cause cavities. Plaque also leads to periodontal (gum) disease. This can become a serious infection. It can damage bone and destroy the tissues around your teeth.

The best defense is to remove plaque before it has a chance to build up and cause problems. Brushing removes plaque from the large surfaces of the teeth and from just under the gums. Flossing removes plaque from between your teeth. You also can use other tools to keep your mouth and teeth clean.

What is Good Oral Hygiene?

What is Good Oral Hygiene?

  Good oral hygiene results in a mouth that looks and smells healthy.
  This means:

• Your teeth are clean and free of debris
• Gums are pink and do not hurt or bleed when you brush or floss
• Bad breath is not a constant problem

If your gums do hurt or bleed while brushing or flossing, or you are experiencing persistent bad breath, see your dentist. Any of these conditions may indicate a problem.Your dentist or hygienist can help you learn good oral hygiene techniques and can help point out areas of your mouth that may require extra attention during brushing and flossing.

How is Good Oral Hygiene Practiced?

Maintaining good oral hygiene is one of the most important things you can do for your teeth and gums. Healthy teeth not only enable you to look and feel good, they make it possible to eat and speak properly. Good oral health is important to your overall well-being.

Daily preventive care, including proper brushing and flossing, will help stop problems before they develop and is much less painful, expensive, and worrisome than treating conditions that have been allowed to progress.

In between regular visits to the dentist, there are simple steps that each of us can take to greatly decrease the risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease and other dental problems

. These include:

• Brushing thoroughly twice a day and flossing daily
• Eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks between meals
• Using dental products that contain fluoride, including toothpaste
• Rinsing with a fluoride mouthrinse if your dentist tells you to
• Making sure that your children under 12 drink fluoridated water or take a fluoride supplement if they live in a non-fluoridated area.

Proper Brushing Technique
Tilt the brush at a 45° angle against the gumline and sweep or roll the brush away from the gumline.	Gently brush the outside, inside and chewing surface of eachtooth using short back-and-forth strokes.	Gently brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen breath.

Proper Flossing Technique
Use about 18" of floss, leaving an inch or two to work with.	Gently follow the curves of your teeth.	Be sure to clean beneath the gumline, but avoid snapping the floss on the gums.

Flouride

ScienceDaily (Dec. 22, 2011) — Yale researchers have uncovered the molecular tricks used by bacteria to fight the effects of fluoride, which is commonly used in toothpaste and mouthwash to combat tooth decay.