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The Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge (AFK) is the first step in the NDEB Equivalency Process for Internationally Trained Dentists (IDPs) seeking Canadian dental registration. ~200 multiple-choice questions across the breadth of clinical dentistry, basic sciences, and dental public health. Delivered via Prometric. After AFK comes the Applied Clinical Knowledge Examination (ACK) and Performance Examinations. An AI-adaptive question bank mapped to the NDEB AFK Examination Specifications.
Full NDEB AFK bank, AI Tutor and timed mocks — $29/month or $99/year. All paid exam banks included.
Approximately 200 multiple-choice questions across all major content areas of dentistry. Computer-based, delivered via Prometric test centres in Canada and internationally. ~4-hour appointment time including instructions.
Mapped to the NDEB AFK Examination Specifications. Content areas include basic sciences (anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology), clinical dentistry (operative dentistry, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, oral surgery, orthodontics, paediatric dentistry, oral medicine), and dental public health/ethics.
Candidates progress to the Applied Clinical Knowledge Examination (ACK) — a second written exam testing clinical decision-making. After ACK, candidates progress to Performance Examinations (an OSCE-style clinical exam and a laboratory/simulation exam) and the Restorative Dentistry Examination for full NDEB Certification.
Successful completion of all NDEB Equivalency Process steps awards NDEB Certification, allowing the IDP to apply to provincial dental regulatory bodies for licensure to practise in Canada. Each province may have additional jurisprudence requirements.
Open to Internationally Trained Dentists (IDPs) — those who hold a dental degree from a non-Canadian, non-American institution (and from outside the small list of accredited institutions in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland). Documentation of dental qualification and English/French proficiency required.
Multiple sittings per year via Prometric. Confirm 2026 dates and application windows on the NDEB website (ndeb-bned.ca). Demand is high; book early in popular centres.
Approximate distribution across the NDEB AFK Examination Specifications. The AFK tests breadth across basic sciences and clinical dentistry at the standard expected of a graduate from an accredited Canadian dental program.
Source: official National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) blueprint
Drawn from the NDEB AFK Examination Specifications, Canadian Dental Association guidance, and item density in iatroX. The AFK tests at the standard of a recent graduate from an accredited Canadian dental program.
Caries diagnosis and management — ICDAS classification, selective vs complete caries removal evidence, Hall technique in primary teeth, ICCMS framework, fluoride prevention (Canadian Dental Association guidance)
Endodontic diagnosis — pulpal status (normal, reversible pulpitis, symptomatic irreversible, asymptomatic irreversible, necrotic), periapical status (normal, symptomatic apical periodontitis, asymptomatic, acute abscess, chronic abscess). Routinely tested.
Periodontal classification (2017 BSP/EFP-aligned) — staging (severity I-IV) and grading (rate A-C), extent, complexity. Canadian periodontal society endorses similar framework.
Local anaesthesia — maximum safe doses (lidocaine 4.4 mg/kg up to 300 mg, articaine 7 mg/kg up to 500 mg), nerve block techniques, contraindications, recognising and managing systemic toxicity
Medical emergencies in dental practice — anaphylaxis (epinephrine 0.3-0.5 mg IM in adults), MI (300 mg aspirin, GTN), syncope, hypoglycaemia (glucose / glucagon), seizure, asthma
Indigenous oral health — recognising health inequities, working with Indigenous patients, residential schools and intergenerational impact on oral health, cultural safety, Calls to Action relevant to dentistry
Antibiotic stewardship in dentistry — Canadian Dental Association position on IE prophylaxis, antimicrobial use for acute dental infections, when antibiotics are and are not indicated
Dental jurisprudence and ethics — Canadian dental codes of ethics, consent, confidentiality, candour, scope of practice, regulatory bodies (provincial dental regulatory authorities)
Observations from IDPs sitting the NDEB AFK. Verify against the current NDEB AFK Examination Specifications and Canadian dental guidance.
Candidate-reported observations — not official guidance.
A pragmatic phased approach used by recent IDPs who passed the AFK first time.
A live item from the iatroX bank. Try it before launching a full session.
A 62-year-old has brief electric-shock facial pain triggered by touching the upper lip and brushing. Dental examination and periapical radiographs are normal, and episodes last seconds with pain-free intervals. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Why iatroX is built differently for NDEB AFK.
Every iatroX item is tagged to a blueprint topic, so your performance dashboard mirrors the structure of the exam itself.
The engine surfaces your weakest topics first, in real time, instead of marching you through a static syllabus.
Incorrect items return at increasing intervals to interrupt the forgetting curve and lock knowledge into long-term memory.
Timed full-length simulations that mirror the official exam structure under realistic conditions.
One iatroX subscription includes the NDEB AFK bank, the Socratic Tutor inside supported sessions, and every other premium iatroX exam bank.
Cancel anytime · 7-day money-back guarantee on annual
Internationally Trained Dentists (IDPs) — those who hold a dental degree from a non-Canadian, non-American institution (and from outside the small list of accredited institutions including some in Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland). The AFK is the first step in the NDEB Equivalency Process leading to Canadian dental licensure.
A four-step pathway for IDPs: (1) AFK — Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge (this exam); (2) ACK — Applied Clinical Knowledge Examination; (3) Performance Examinations — OSCE-style clinical exam and laboratory/simulation exam; (4) Restorative Dentistry Examination. Successful completion of all steps awards NDEB Certification, allowing application to provincial dental regulatory bodies for licensure.
Approximately 200 multiple-choice questions covering basic sciences and clinical dentistry. ~4-hour appointment time. Computer-based delivery via Prometric test centres worldwide.
A maximum of 3 attempts at the AFK under the standard NDEB Equivalency Process. Limited reapplications may be possible under specific circumstances. After exhausting attempts, alternative pathways (such as enrolment in a Canadian dental school qualifying program) may be considered.
Typically 2-3 years from AFK to full NDEB Certification, depending on attempt outcomes, application timing, and the availability of Performance Examination slots. Plan timelines carefully and confirm current waiting times on the NDEB website.
NDEB Certification is required for licensure but not the only requirement. Each Canadian province has its own dental regulatory body which sets additional licensure requirements (e.g. jurisprudence exam, language proficiency, criminal record check, professional conduct verification). After NDEB Certification, apply to the provincial regulatory body where you wish to practise.
Yes. A single iatroX subscription (£29/month or £99/year for UK users; $29/$99 elsewhere) includes the NDEB AFK bank alongside ORE Part 1, MFDS Part 1, MCCQE Part 1, and every other premium iatroX exam bank. No add-ons or per-exam fees.
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Reviewed by Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MSt MRCGP · Last reviewed 12 May 2026
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