School of Dentistry dean elected chair of Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations

Peter M. Loomer, BSc, DDS, PhD, MBA, FACD, FICD, dean and professor at the UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry, has been elected as chair of the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE). 

“I had been encouraged by a colleague to volunteer, and since joining the committee, it has continued to present me with opportunities to work with several colleagues from all sorts of scientific and educational backgrounds.”

Loomer has been a committee volunteer with the commission since 2008 and will serve as chair for a one-year term. 

The JCNDE is responsible for creating and overseeing the National Board Dental Examinations. These exams are designed to ensure that dental professionals have the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to provide safe and effective care.

The results of exams help determine if candidates are qualified to earn a dental or dental hygiene license, subsequently confirming only qualified professionals are licensed to care for patients.

Representatives of the 16-member commission include those from dental schools, dental practices and dental examining boards, as well as dental hygienists, students and the general public. The commission functions with independent authority to oversee dental licensing examinations within the American Dental Association (ADA).

Groups of committee members from different specialty areas are brought together through the commission and divided into distinctive working groups based on the content of the examinations. Questions are thoughtfully developed by each group and vetted through the committee to test basic science and clinical knowledge.

“As a test constructor, you learn how to build strong testing questions that are unambiguous and structured properly and not too wordy, as well as writing answers that are not too obvious,” Loomer said.

Volunteer test constructors for the committee at JCNDE do not have to be a licensed dentist. Faculty members, medical practitioners, dental hygienists, dental practitioners and basic and behavioral scientists can apply as volunteers. 

Learn more about becoming a volunteer test constructor at jcnde.ada.org.