With the first ADAT testing period approaching, I wanted to provide an update with all of the new information that has been released. Since the last update, a list of programs requiring the ADAT, an ADAT guide, and a practice test have been released. Unfortunately, it does appear that some OMFS programs will require or accept the ADAT. There are quite a few presentations to read through, but I did my best to pick out the most important bullets and present them here.
First and foremost, a definitive time table for the administration of the ADAT and posting of test scores has been released. There will be three testing periods, the first to begin on May 16th and the final date on August 31st. Below, is the screenshot of the test periods and when the scores will be released or reported.
According to the ADA ADAT overview and ADAT Guide, scores will be initially reported as a percentile for your testing period. As each testing period passes, your percentile will change based on how others performed on the test. Then, once all testing windows have ended, a final, scaled score will be reported. What this means for the candidates of this application cycle is that scores will not be available until September 15th. This is past the date in which many candidates have already applied almost making it a null point for interview selections.
This then brings us to the OMFS programs that require or accept the ADAT. As of now (5/10/16), there are seven programs that will require the ADAT, seven programs that will accept the ADAT, and four programs that will not accept ADAT scores. The programs in each category are listed below.
ADAT Required:
- 6 Year Programs
King’s County Hospital Downstate Medical Center (Brooklyn, NY)
- 4 Year Programs
Brookdale Hospital Medical Center (Brooklyn, NY)Gunderson Lutheran Medical Center (La Crosse, WI)Howard University College of Dentistry (Washington D.C.)- Lincoln Medical & Mental Health Center (Bronx, NY)
University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine (San Juan, Puerto Rico)Woodhull Medical & Mental Health Center (Brooklyn, NY)
ADAT Accepted:
- 6 Year Programs
- New York Presbyterian Hospital at Weill Cornell (New York, NY)
- Saint John/ Detroit-Macomb-Oakland Hospital (Warren, MI)
- Saint Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center
- University of Nebraska
- University of Washington
- 4 Year Programs
- Denver Health Medical Center (Denver, CO)
- Montefiore Medical Center
- Nassau University Medical Center (East Meadow, NY)
- New York Presbyterian Hospital at Weill Cornell (New York, NY)
- UCLA (Los Angeles, CA)
- UCSF- Fresno Medical Education Program (Fresno, CA)
- University of Iowa College of Dentistry (Iowa City, IA)
- University of Minnesota
- University of Tennessee College of Dentistry (Memphis, TN)
- University of Texas Medical Branch Hospital (Galveston, TX)
- West Virginia
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry (Richmond, VA)
- Woodhull Medical Center
ADAT Not Accepted:
- 6 Year Programs
- Parkland Memorial Hospital (Dallas, TX)
- 4 Year Programs
- Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University (Augusta, GA)
- University of Cincinnati Medical Center (Cincinnati, OH)
- University of the Pacific Alameda County Medical Center/ Highland Hospital (San Francisco, CA)
I’m not sure why a list of programs that will not accept the ADAT is necessary. I would assume, by default, any program that does not fall into the category of requiring or accepting the ADAT, will not accept it. Someone please point out where I may be mistaken here. Other than that, it looks like the majority of OMFS programs interested in the ADAT are programs in New York. I am curious to see if four-year programs move to the ADAT in the future since they seem to be the ones most interested in it. However, it is still early, and a very small data set, so only time will tell.
The official ADA updated ADAT program participant list is here. Make sure to check with individual programs about their requirements.
A few other points of interest include the ADAT Practice Test, reference texts, and retesting policy. From looking at the practice test of 101 questions, it appears that many of the questions are similar in nature to part I of the dental boards. Most questions are written in a tier one format (i.e. this patient has (insert symptom), the diagnosis is what?). Basically, do you remember this? There are also quite a few case-based questions. For the most part, these are still very basic and in no way compare to the questions posed on the CBSE. No surprise either that the ADAT is heavily dental based. There are many questions about tooth anatomy, occlusion, and dental materials. Although this is very relevant to many dental specialties, personally I think the CBSE is a better test for OMFS applicants due to the importance placed on critical thinking and medical knowledge.
As for reference texts, the list is very long. It’s over 100 books actually, which is not much help. There are also no ADAT test prep courses, books, or guides that I am aware of at this point. Based on the practice questions, I’d say your best bet would be to study a NBDE Part I and Part II test prep book, basic anatomy from Netter’s or other anatomy book, and the biostatistics section from USMLE First Aid. That’s only my best guess though, because the questions are all over the place. I’m sure it will be a year or two before the “UFAP” of the ADAT is developed.
Lastly, I wanted to address the retesting policy and cost of the exam. The ADA has released a retesting policy, which states that candidates are limited to taking the test two times per year, separated by a minimum of 45 days. As a whole, this is not terribly different from only being able to take the CBSE twice a year. Where it is drastically different though, is that you are limited to two testing attempts. If you wish to take the test more than two times, you must provide proof to that you are actively applying to advanced dental education programs. They don’t really provide any info about what constitutes proof, so that will be one more thing that will have to be found out over time. And finally, as mentioned in another post, the fee will be $250 for the pilot year, followed by an increase to $350.
Per usual, as more information becomes available I’ll continue to provide updates. The most important things I’m waiting to hear about are appropriate test prep material, how OMFS candidates felt about the test/scored, and what residency programs attitudes’ are about the ADAT. Fortunately, for those going through this application cycle, the ADAT is really not much of a concern. The CBSE will probably reign supreme for the foreseeable future.
For complete information about the ADAT, please visit the ADA ADAT page.