COMPONENT II CANDIDATE STUDY GUIDE DENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH Introduction The intent of this guide is to provide the candidate with an understanding of the format used for the Component II of the National Dental Specialty Examination (NDSE). The example questions are intended for candidates in Dental Public Health and are meant to demonstrate the various styles of questions that may appear in the exam. The content is meant for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as an example of the difficulty level of the examination. For information on examination content please refer to the Examinations Component II section for your specialty. Component II Examination Questions The Component II Examination is a test of decision-making. Specifically, the ability to assess, treat and understand probable population outcomes. The cases used in the Component II Examination tend to be typical cases that a Graduate Student would be exposed to during their training program, and are consistent with the accreditation requirements of each specialty. These questions are casebased. A typical case protocol contains a hypothetical dental public health situation (a vignette) developed from actual cases. The candidate is then questioned on how he/she will manage the case, emphasis is placed on population oral health decisions, as if the candidate was caring for a population in a particular region. 2016 The Royal College of Dentists of Canada Page 1
As part of their preparation, it is highly recommended that candidates gain as much experience as possible working through case-based oral examination questions. For example, in many specialty programs candidates get the opportunity to present their own clinical cases to mentors and fellow Graduate Students; this helps the individual become more familiar and comfortable with the oral exam format. While preparing for the oral examination it is also helpful to have other Graduate Students and/or mentors present the candidate with cases using the NDSE format. It is better still if the candidate is provided cases that they have never seen before or are unfamiliar with. Here is a general description of a Component II case protocol; this is followed by a number of example questions. Once again it should be stressed that the content used in these sample questions are used for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as an example of the level of difficulty or content of the examination questions. 2016 The Royal College of Dentists of Canada Page 2
DENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH OVERNIGHT TAKE HOME PROBLEM 100 points The written problem statement below will be given to each candidate, who will have until the next day to prepare a response. Candidates will have 20 minutes to verbally present a plan (PowerPoint is permitted) Examiners will then ask further questions (25 minutes) based on the problem below. You are the dental director in Happy Valley Health Unit. Size 750,000 people. The health unit is part of a large metropolitan area, which has and continues to experience a high level of refugee and third world immigration. There are First Nation pockets within the Health Unit. The Metropolitan area is currently facing hard times due to a recession and high unemployment. Housing is very expensive and in short supply. There are overcrowding situations. A public health nurse returns from a visit to a well baby clinic held in Happy Valley. She reports concerns with feeding patterns amongst many of the participants. She reports to you that several of the children had poor dental habits and some had front teeth which appear to be "rotten down to the gums." 1. How would you respond to this information? 2. Please outline the steps you would take. GENERAL COMPETENCIES 100 points Is a 60-minute oral examination that evaluates general competencies in Dental Public Health and could consist of questions such as: Question 1 25 points You have just noticed an article in the national dental journal on smoking in young adults. The article compares smoking to dental visits. The odds ratio for the likelihood of non-smokers being regular dental attenders has a confidence interval of (1.5 to 3.2). What does this mean? Would you be fairly confident in saying that young adults who don t smoke are more likely to be regular dental visitors? How does this compare to the survey results you just analyzed? What might you advise the dental associations about setting up in-office smoking education programs? Question 2 25 points In the delivery of oral health care for First Nations, Who are the key players? What are their roles? What pressures do they face? 2016 The Royal College of Dentists of Canada Page 3
ROYAL COLLEGE OF DENTISTS OF CANADA NATIONAL DENTAL SPECIALTY EXAMINATION IN DENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH: POLICY ANALYSIS COMPONENT Policy Analysis Question Purpose of Question To respond to a mock oral health policy question in the context of the oral health care needs in an Ontario Health Unit. The Issue The Board of Health has recently asked the Medical Officer of Health in an Ontario Health Unit to review oral health services and, to determine what measures could be put in place to better meet the needs of the children in the Health Unit. You will be provided with the appropriate documents and have 3 hours to prepare a maximum two page summary of a policy paper as outlined in the document "The National Dental Specialty Examination in Dental Public Health Policy Analysis Template." (see attached) In addition to the two page policy summary, two optional appendices (2 page maximum each) can be included; one outlining why the situation arose (epidemiology and causes of problem) and the other outlining rational and listing the scientific literature to justify the recommendations in the policy paper summary. The summary policy paper with appendix will be used as part of a 45 minute Oral Presentation and Defense of your policy analysis. 2016 The Royal College of Dentists of Canada Page 4
[MAXIMUM 2 PAGES] The National Dental Specialty Examination in Dental Public Health Policy Analysis Template TITLE 1. Verification, definition, and scope of problem 2. Criteria to be used to assess the solution 3. Evaluation of Potential solutions - advantages and disadvantages 4. Evaluation of Potential solutions - advantages and disadvantages (cont d) 2016 The Royal College of Dentists of Canada Page 5
5. Recommended options for course of action or policy 6. Justification of that course or policy over the alternates 7. Recommended monitoring and evaluation strategy if that course or policy were implemented 2016 The Royal College of Dentists of Canada Page 6
Appendix A [Optional 2 page (maximum) summary for Bonus Marks] Why the situation arose (epidemiology and causes of problem) 2016 The Royal College of Dentists of Canada Page 7
Appendix B [Optional 2 page (maximum) summary for Bonus Marks] Rationale and scientific literature chosen to justify recommendation 2016 The Royal College of Dentists of Canada Page 8