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FAQs

What does the OSCE look like?

There are two types of OSCE stations: interactive and quiet stations.

The interactive stations will each have a scenario that denturists encounter in daily practice.  In each room, an assessor and a patient will be present. The candidate will be required to discover and describe the best possible outcome through treatments or procedure(s) presented by the scenario and the patient. You will not be required to be physically invasive with the patient, but models and tools may be present in the scenario to help you find a solution to the situation.  In interactive stations, the assessor will have two standardized rating forms in front of them. One form will be a checklist of items that a candidate (or an entry-level practitioner) would be expected to say or do in response to the scenario provided. The second form is a Global Rating Scale which assesses the candidate’s professional conduct and communication skills.

The second type of OSCE station is referred to as a quiet or non-interactive station.  In these stations, there is a task (or tasks) to complete but there will be no patient or assessor in the room. Instead you will be working with materials provided to you. You will address questions related to the materials and provide responses on the forms found in the room. Your responses will be subsequently scored using a pre-determined scoring guide.

How do I prepare for the OSCE?

The OSCE process reflects what happens in everyday practice and patient interaction. Candidates for the examination are encouraged to review and strictly adhere to proven and recognized protocols for denture fabrication. The curriculum and techniques taught at accredited institutions are based on best practice, defensible, credible research and theory. Candidate assessment in all OSCE stations will be based on best practice procedures. A specific and/or focused preparation for the OSCE is difficult because the nature of OSCEs is to assess the culmination of knowledge and skill that has been developed over years of their entire education. In short, OSCEs respect a candidate’s education and evaluates their ability to express their professional judgment.  Candidates are encouraged to consult the national competency profile and exam blueprint for specific direction in exam preparation.

When will the exam results be available?

There are number of analytic processes involved between a candidate sitting the exam and the release of the results. The typical time frame for release of the results is 6-8 weeks after the running of the examinations.

What happens if I pass the MCQ and not the OSCE or vice versa?

The registration examination in Alberta has two components: the multiple choice question (MCQ) and the objectively structured clinical examination (OSCE).  If a candidate is not successful on a component, they are required to retake the component(s) again on which they were not successful. A candidate may attempt each component a maximum of three times.

If the candidate has a provisional practice permit, they must remain on the permit until they successfully pass both components or for one year (whichever comes first).  For further details and clarification, please contact the College.

College of Alberta Denturists
405, 10408 124 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
T5N 1R5

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