by
Jane Weiner, RDH
PREPARING FOR THE FLORIDA DENTAL HYGIENE STATE BOARDS
by
Jane Weiner, RDH
This is a trying time in anyone's life and I hope that the following tips prove helpful to allay the stress that all candidates for the boards are under.
COURSES NECESSARY BEFORE TAKING THE BOARDS INCLUDE :
A course on Medical Errors of 2 hours duration. (Home Studies Institute http://www.healthstudies.com/)
These courses can be taken through the mail or in person at a Board Approved Course and can be taken in any state so long as it is a Fl. Board approved course.
NOTE: In order for one's license to be valid one must be certified in CPR with training in the external defibrillator and the ambubag. It is advisable to have current CPR within two weeks of having taken the boards if not before. It is the Health Care Provider CPR course that is necessary
ALL APPLICANTS MUST HAVE MALPRACTICE INSURANCE
Some companies include:
Marsh Affinity Group: 1-312-427-1441
HPSO: 1-800-982-9491 or http://hpso.com
Tell the company representative it is only to be for the boards, as it is not mandatory in the state of Fl. to have malpractice insurance in order to practice, although I advise having it.
HOTEL INFORMATION FOR BOARD WEEK RESERVATIONS
Gainesville Hotels...
Cabot Lodge Inn : ( 352 ) 375 - 2400
Hampton Inn : ( 352) 371 - 4171
Days Inn - University : ( 352 ) 376 - 1211
Comfort Inn of Gainesville:( 352 ) 373 - 6500
Ft. Lauderdale Hotels...
Holiday Inn Express: (954) 472-5600
Be sure to make the reservations for enough days/nights as the boards can range from a two night stay to a four night stay and you can always cancel if you don't need the extra nights. Also be sure to let them know at the time of making the reservation that you will be in town to take the Hygiene Boards.
TYPICAL BOARD SCHEDULE
The first day is the orientation for the clinical exams. At that time anything you need to know about the clinical procedure will be explained to you. It is usually a 1 hour meeting.
Then your clinic will be either the AM or PM clinic of any of the following two - three days .
You will receive your clinic date and time approximately 2-3 weeks before the boards. This is why I cannot stress that you make a reservation for as many nights stay at a hotel as you might need in the event that you pull the last clinic. Remember you can always cancel a reservation, but getting one at the last minute is virtually impossible.
When you book the computerized law test be sure to allow enough time either before your clinical or after it. Also check with the company as you might be able to take the law test in your own state or area either before the boards or after.
SUPPLIES AND INSTRUMENTS
It is advisable to have a dental supply dealer with whom you have a relationship as they can be most helpful to you during your boards.
Reputable people I deal with are:
Faoud Taslimi : Sullivan Schein 1 (800) 488-6113 ext.352 Evenings call (352) 378-2894
Sullivan Schein School Division: (352) 378-5750
Wayne Yemma : Schein Dental (407) 829-8511, Evenings call: (352) 372-1927
Elliot Rabin and Becker Parkin (954) 402-3882, email: Elliotbp@aol.com
You will need to provide the following :
A handpiece
Check-in instruments ( you will need 3 sets minimum )
Grading instruments ( you will need 1 set of these )
Any disposable supplies you will need - and be sure to ask which supplies your will need.
Air/water tips (sani tips) - three for checkin, once for grading, and at least two or three for your clinical procedure are recommended.
NEW! If the candidate chooses to use an ultrasonic, they must provide the equipment and tips themselves.
THE IDEAL BOARD PATIENT FOR FL. STATE DENTAL HYGIENE BOARDS
Must have minimum of 20 natural teeth ( no deciduous teeth accepted)
Should have visible calculus from 22-27 lingual, 18 & 31 lingual, 3 & 14 buccal - they ask for generalized supragingival calculus.
Must have pockets of 4 - 6 mm. in depth ( recommend mostly 5's and then you are safe for check-in).
Pick root planing teeth carefully... 1 multirooted tooth must have an adjacent, abutting (proximal) tooth and then 3 other teeth to plane.
Try to pick the root planing teeth either in the same quadrant or on the same side of the mouth ( hoping to get contracted for only half a mouth this way )
Remember to also pick four other teeth for root planing as backups!!!
You are given three chances to be seated for the board.
DO NOT TAKE A BLEEDER.
DO NOT TAKE PERSON WITH CROWNS.
DO NOT TAKE MEDICALLY COMPROMISED PATIENT.
Try to take a patient who is not HYPER SENSITIVE to scaling.
Look at bite wings before choosing patient...you want some sub but you want it not to be TENACIOUS...look for spicules of calculus that will flick right off
Try to probe with a PSR and if it sinks to the black line then you are definitely safe for check in
NEVER and I mean NEVER PRE SCALE...
If there are any other questions just email me at rdhjw@aol.com and I will be happy to assist you.
WRITTEN LAW TEST (Computerized)
The written test is usually a multiple choice test ( about 40-60 questions ) on the laws and rules in the law book ( State Statutes ) that the board sends you about a month before the test. My course can be taken at anytime through the mail so that you have a heads up on the laws and rules once the Statute book comes.
The review I provide is through the mail with online clarifications and/or telephone conference.
For more information on this course e-mail me at: rdhjw@aol.com or visit my web site at http://janewrdh.com
I also follow up with the participants of the course.
Florida Board of Dentistry Phone Number: (850) 245-4474
Remember... If you fail one portion of the test you can retake that portion within 13 mos. but if you fail more than one part of the prophylaxis or both the clinical and laws both parts must be retaken. No one to date who has taken my course has failed the law test. The clinical is dependent upon what type of a clinician you are and only YOU know that.
If I can be of any help to anyone please feel free to contact me via e-mail: rdhjw@aol.com and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
I hope that this has been informative and is helpful to you.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL WHO SIT FOR THE BOARDS!!!
CLICK HERE to visit
my website. Jane Weiner