{"id":48450,"date":"2025-06-06T18:33:42","date_gmt":"2025-06-06T18:33:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/?p=48450"},"modified":"2025-06-09T17:28:22","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T17:28:22","slug":"whats-tested-inbde-exam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/inbde\/whats-tested-inbde-exam\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s Tested on the INBDE? (2025)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Passing the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) is a crucial step to becoming a licensed dentist in the United States. The INBDE is a comprehensive dental licensing exam that will test your knowledge of biomedical, clinical, and behavioral sciences to assess your dental cognitive skills. By understanding what&#8217;s tested on the INBDE exam and preparing effectively, you can increase your chances of passing and achieving your dream of becoming a dentist. In this guide, we\u2019ll break down everything you need to know about what\u2019s tested on the INBDE, including the exam format, content, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<div  style='background:#f9f9f9;color:#000000;border-color:#bcbcbc;' class='av_promobox  0 avia-button-yes   avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_heading  avia-builder-el-first '>\t\t<div class='avia-promocontent'><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#ab0c78\"><strong>3-DAY FREE TRIAL<\/strong><\/h4>\n<h3 class=\"has-col-240-f-6-e-color has-text-color\">INBDE Exam Prep<\/h3>\n<p>Get free access to our INBDE prep, including a variety of Qbank questions, and learn from experts on demand. <\/p>\n<p>\n<\/div><div  class='avia-button-wrap avia-button-right ' ><a href='https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/pg\/signup?classid=30013210' class='avia-button  avia-color-theme-color   avia-icon_select-no avia-size-large avia-position-right ' target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class='avia_iconbox_title' >Sign Up<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>TABLE OF CONTENTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"#why\"><strong>Why is the INBDE exam important?<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#tested\"><strong>What\u2019s tested on the INBDE in 2025?<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#format\"><strong>INBDE Exam Format<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#acronyms\"><strong>INBDE Acronyms and Abbreviations<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#prepare\"><strong>How to Prepare for the INBDE<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><strong><a href=\"#practice\">INBDE Practice Questions<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"why\">Why is the INBDE exam important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The INBDE is a digital, multiple-choice board examination that determines whether licensure candidates possess the skills needed to practice entry-level dentistry. Passing the INBDE is a requirement to earn dental licensure in the U.S. Please refer to your state\u2019s dental board website to review any additional requirements you may need to become a licensed dentist.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"tested\">What\u2019s tested on the INBDE in 2025?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>On the 2025 INBDE, you\u2019ll face 500 questions or \u201citems\u201d over the course of two days. INBDE questions are designed to assess your ability to apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios and to make sound clinical judgments. The INBDE uses the Domain of Dentistry, which outlines the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of entry-level dentists. The Domain of Dentistry includes 56 Clinical Content areas and 10 Foundation Knowledge areas.<\/p>\n\n\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-1  el_after_av_promobox  el_before_av_heading  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >INBDE Clinical Content Areas<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The INBDE contains 56 Clinical Content areas that represent tasks performed by entry-level dentists. These Clinical Content areas are grouped into three categories: Diagnosis and Treatment Planning, Oral Health Management, and Practice and Profession. The table below depicts what percentage of the exam assesses each Clinical Content area.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Clinical Content Area<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Exam Percentage<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Oral Health Management<\/td><td>42%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Diagnosis and Treatment Planning<\/td><td>36.2%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Practice and Profession<\/td><td>21.8%<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_heading  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >INBDE Foundation Knowledge Areas<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to the 56 Clinical Content areas, the INBDE also tests ten Foundation Knowledge areas which represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the tasks in the Clinical Content areas. The table below gives an overview of the INBDE\u2019s Foundation Knowledge Areas. More information can be found on the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/jcnde.ada.org\/-\/media\/project\/ada-organization\/ada\/jcnde\/files\/foundation_knowledge_general_dentist.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">JCNDE site.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Foundation Knowledge #<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Foundation Knowledge Area<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Exam Percentage<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1<\/td><td>Molecular, biochemical, cellular, and systems-level development, structure, and function<\/td><td>12.2%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2<\/td><td>Physics and chemistry to explain normal biology and pathobiology<\/td><td>6.8%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3<\/td><td>Physics and chemistry to explain the characteristics and use of technologies and materials<\/td><td>8%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>4<\/td><td>Principles of genetic, congenital, and developmental diseases and conditions and their clinical features to understand patient risk<\/td><td>10.6%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>5<\/td><td>Cellular and molecular bases of immune and non-immune host defense mechanism<\/td><td>9%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>6<\/td><td>General and disease-specific pathology to assess patient risk<\/td><td>11.8%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>7<\/td><td>The biology of microorganisms in physiology and pathology<\/td><td>10.6%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>8<\/td><td>Pharmacology<\/td><td>10.6%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>9<\/td><td>Behavioral sciences, ethics, and jurisprudence<\/td><td>10.6%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>10<\/td><td>Research methodology and analysis, and informatics tools<\/td><td>9.8%<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"format\">INBDE Exam Format<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The INBDE exam is a computer-based exam administered over two days. The second test day must occur within seven days of the first test day. All items on the INBDE are multiple-choice, each with only one correct answer. The following table breaks down the INBDE exam format so you know what to expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td>INBDE Test Day 1<\/td><td>300 standalone items, 60 case items<\/td><td>8 hours 15 minutes<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>INBDE Test Day 2<\/td><td>140 case items<\/td><td>4 hours 15 minutes<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><\/td><td><strong>Total items: 500<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Total exam time: 12 hours 30 minutes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_heading  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >How long is the INBDE exam?<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The INBDE is a long exam that covers a lot of material, which is why it is divided into two days. The total time is 12 hours and 30 minutes, which includes all 500 test questions, scheduled breaks, optional tutorials, and the post-exam survey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"acronyms\">INBDE Acronyms and Abbreviations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/jcnde.ada.org\/-\/media\/project\/ada-organization\/ada\/jcnde\/files\/common_acronymsandabbreviations.pdf?rev=0b9bffb0029845f180ba530e6be4aad9&amp;hash=5F9A2738B104E543AC3E00A981C4E4F9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the JCNDE,<\/a> there are some frequently used acronyms and abbreviations on the INBDE that you should review ahead of test day:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>AED: <\/strong>Automated external defibrillator<\/li><li><strong>BOP:<\/strong> Bleeding on probing<\/li><li><strong>ASA: <\/strong>Anterior superior alveolar branch of the infraorbital nerve<\/li><li><strong>BP:<\/strong> Blood pressure&nbsp;<\/li><li><strong>CAL:<\/strong> Clinical attachment level<\/li><li><strong>CBCT:<\/strong> Cone-beam computed tomography<\/li><li><strong>CEJ:<\/strong> Cementoenamel junction<\/li><li><strong>CPI: <\/strong>Community periodontal index<\/li><li><strong>CPAP: <\/strong>Continuous positive airway pressure device<\/li><li><strong>CPR:<\/strong> Cardiopulmonary resuscitation<\/li><li><strong>DEJ:<\/strong> Dentinoenamel junction<\/li><li><strong>DNA:<\/strong> Deoxyribonucleic acid<\/li><li><strong>dmft:<\/strong> Decayed, missing, and filled primary teeth<\/li><li><strong>DMFT: <\/strong>Decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth<\/li><li><strong>dmfs: <\/strong>Decayed, missing, and filled surfaces (for primary teeth)<\/li><li><strong>DMFS:<\/strong> Decayed, missing, and filled surfaces (for permanent teeth)<\/li><li><strong>EMS: <\/strong>Emergency medical services<\/li><li><strong>GBR:<\/strong> Guided bone regeneration<\/li><li><strong>GTR: <\/strong>Guided tissue regeneration<\/li><li><strong>HbA1c:<\/strong> Hemoglobin A1c<\/li><li><strong>HIPAA:<\/strong> Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996<\/li><li><strong>HIV:<\/strong> Human immunodeficiency virus<\/li><li><strong>IAN:<\/strong> Inferior alveolar nerve<\/li><li><strong>MRI:<\/strong> Magnetic resonance imaging<\/li><li><strong>MSA:<\/strong> Middle superior alveolar branch of the infraorbital nerve<\/li><li><strong>OSHA: <\/strong>Occupational Safety and Health Administration<\/li><li><strong>PDI: <\/strong>Periodontal disease index<\/li><li><strong>PDL: <\/strong>Periodontal ligament<\/li><li><strong>PHP:<\/strong> Patient hygiene performance index<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-4  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_heading  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Abbreviations for Tooth Surfaces<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Note that these abbreviations may be combined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>B:<\/strong> Buccal<\/li><li><strong>D:<\/strong> Distal<\/li><li><strong>F:<\/strong> Facial<\/li><li><strong>L:<\/strong> Lingual<\/li><li><strong>M: <\/strong>Mesial<\/li><li><strong>O: <\/strong>Occlusal<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"prepare\">How to Prepare for the INBDE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Preparing for the INBDE can seem daunting. Set yourself up for success and pass the exam on your first try by taking advantage of Kaplan\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/inbde\">INBDE prep<\/a> options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/inbde\/qbank\"><strong>INBDE Qbank:<\/strong><\/a><strong> <\/strong>Get realistic practice with 3,100+ image-based INBDE practice questions on the topics you\u2019ll most likely encounter on the exam. Review in-depth answer explanations and get detailed performance reports to see where your strengths and weaknesses lie.<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/inbde\/courses\/inbde-on-demand-prep\"><strong>INBDE Videos On-Demand:<\/strong><\/a> Study for the INBDE on your schedule with on-demand videos taught by top dental faculty. These lessons will cover every topic on the JCNDE blueprint so there are no surprises on test day.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"practice\">INBDE Practice Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>How would you do on the INBDE exam? Test your knowledge by answering free INBDE practice questions. Then, review the detailed answer explanations to ensure you understand the correct answer.<\/p>\n\n\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_toggle_container  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >INBDE Practice Question #1<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>This first INBDE practice question includes a patient box, something you\u2019ll frequently see on the exam. Use the provided patient information to answer the question below.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screenshot-2025-02-05-191210.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-48485\" width=\"946\" height=\"385\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The patient likely ingested a substance that acts by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A) antagonizing NMDA receptors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>B) binding to benzodiazepine receptors and enhances the effects of GABA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>C) blocking the reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>D) simulation of mu, kappa, and delta receptors in the CNS.<\/p>\n\n\n<div  class=\"togglecontainer   toggle_close_all  avia-builder-el-6  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_hr \" ><section class=\"av_toggle_section\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\"  >    <div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  >        <p data-fake-id=\"#toggle-id-1\" class=\"toggler \"  itemprop=\"headline\"    role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"toggle-id-1\">Answer Explanation<span class=\"toggle_icon\" >        <span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p>        <div id=\"toggle-id-1\" class=\"toggle_wrap \"  >            <div class=\"toggle_content invers-color \"  itemprop=\"text\"   ><p><b>The correct answer is C.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The patient is presenting with stimulant toxicity (either cocaine-related toxicity or amphetamine-related toxicity). Cocaine primarily acts by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Conversely, amphetamines primarily act by increasing the release of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Stimulant toxicity is associated with tachycardia, diaphoresis, mydriasis, hypertension, hyperthermia, and agitation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The dissociative anesthetic, ketamine, is used for anesthesia, pain management, and treatment-resistant depression. It acts by antagonizing NMDA receptors <\/span><b>(choice A).<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It can cause hallucinations, nystagmus, depressed reflexes, and cognitive deficits.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam and alprazolam, act by binding to benzodiazepine receptors and enhancing the effects of GABA <\/span><b>(choice B).<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Benzodiazepine toxicity is associated with respiratory depression, stupor, drowsiness, and incoordination.&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Opioids, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and heroin, act by stimulation of the mu, kappa, and delta receptors in the CNS <\/span><b>(choice D).<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> They cause respiratory depression, nausea\/vomiting, miosis (not mydriasis), sedation, and incoordination.<\/span> <\/p>\n            <\/div>        <\/div>    <\/div><\/section><br><\/div>\n<div   class='hr hr-default   avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_toggle_container  el_before_av_heading '><span class='hr-inner ' ><span class='hr-inner-style'><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-8  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_toggle_container  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >INBDE Practice Question #2<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Which of the following is NOT considered a bloodborne pathogen of concern within a dental treatment environment?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A) Hepatitis B<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>B) Hepatitis C<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>C) Hepatitis D<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>D) HIV<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>E) SARS-CoV-2<\/p>\n\n\n<div  class=\"togglecontainer   toggle_close_all  avia-builder-el-9  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_hr \" ><section class=\"av_toggle_section\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\"  >    <div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  >        <p data-fake-id=\"#toggle-id-2\" class=\"toggler \"  itemprop=\"headline\"    role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"toggle-id-2\">Answer Explanation<span class=\"toggle_icon\" >        <span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p>        <div id=\"toggle-id-2\" class=\"toggle_wrap \"  >            <div class=\"toggle_content invers-color \"  itemprop=\"text\"   ><p><b>The correct answer is E.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The worldwide acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic of 2020 affected virtually every aspect of daily life for all Americans, including dentists. Direct person-to-person transmission is believed to be the main transmission route for this virus. It is believed to occur through close-range contact, primarily through respiratory droplets, since the virus is released in respiratory secretions. Thus, a person positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection who coughs, sneezes, or even speaks can infect other persons nearby (approximately 6 feet). The virus is also believed to be transmitted when a person touches an infected surface and then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets typically do not travel more than six feet (about two meters). Since SARS-CoV-2 is a respiratory virus, the likelihood of bloodborne transmission leading to COVID-19 disease is believed to be very low. Generally, respiratory viruses are not commonly transmitted through the bloodborne route.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hepatitis B <\/span><b>(choice A),<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> hepatitis C <\/span><b>(choice B),<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> hepatitis D <\/span><b>(choice C),<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and HIV <\/span><b>(choice D)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are all spread similarly through blood and bodily fluid contact, sexual contact, intravenous drug use, and healthcare accidents.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n            <\/div>        <\/div>    <\/div><\/section><br><\/div>\n<div   class='hr hr-default   avia-builder-el-10  el_after_av_toggle_container  avia-builder-el-last '><span class='hr-inner ' ><span class='hr-inner-style'><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Written by Kaplan experts, reviewed by John Bloodworth, M.D., Senior Director, Content Development, Kaplan Medical. John earned his M.D. from Ross University School of Medicine in 2010, joining Kaplan full-time soon after.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Passing the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) is a crucial step to becoming a licensed dentist in the United States. The INBDE is a comprehensive dental licensing exam that will test your knowledge of biomedical, clinical, and behavioral sciences to assess your dental cognitive skills. By understanding what&#8217;s tested on the INBDE exam and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":48456,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1232],"tags":[1233],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48450"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=48450"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48450\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":48519,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48450\/revisions\/48519"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/48456"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48450"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=48450"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=48450"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}