General information on assessment for dentists

Assessment
To be able to work as a dentist in the Netherlands, you have to be included in the BIG register. If you have qualified as a
dentist outside the EEA or Switzerland, you cannot register directly. Your qualifications must first be recognized. You will
need to apply for a Declaration of Professional Competence. The Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport issues these
declarations on the advice of the Foreign Health Care Qualifications Commission (CBGV), an independent advisory
commission of health experts. Since 1 January 2007, the CBGV assesses professional competence on the basis of a set of
knowledge and skill tests. This reliable and standardized assessment of knowledge and skills not only ensures that everyone
has the same opportunities, but also safeguards the quality of the intake of healthcare providers in training and practice.

The assessment procedure consists of two parts: a general part and a professional competence part. The general part tests
the candidates knowledge and command of Dutch and English, ICT skills and knowledge of health care in the Netherlands.
The professional competence part assesses the candidate on the basis of the entire curriculum for recently graduated
dentists in the Netherlands. This is to ensure that the level of candidate is equivalent to that of a dentist trained in the
Netherlands. This is necessary for inclusion in the BIG register.

If the detailed assessment shows that the level of the candidate is not equivalent to that of a Dutch-trained dentist, it
enables specific advice to be given regarding extra training. In this way, candidates can make specific and effective choices
to ensure that they do reach the required level equivalent to that of a Dutch qualification in Dentistry.

Procedure in brief
The health minister receives an application and asks the CBGV for advice. The CBGV then asks the candidate to take the
general knowledge and skills test. If the candidate passes this assessment, he/she can then take the professional assessment
and the CBGV asks the candidate if he/she has a portfolio of prior learning competences. The portfolio provides more
information than can be acquired through the results of the assessment and can help in providing specific advice for extra
training. The portfolio must be submitted before the professional competence assessment is taken. The assessments are
based on the criteria for being awarded a Masters degree in Dentistry in the Netherlands. This enables an objective
comparison between the candidates expertise and the quality requirements for Dutch dentists. The final step in the
advisory procedure is an interview with the candidate by members of the CBGV. The final decision on applications lies with
the health minister, but the CBGVs advice is often decisive. The advisory procedure can be completed in six months, but
this will depend on the candidate and the results of the assessment. The assessment procedure is standardized, but the
result varies per candidate.


Assessment information

General knowledge and skills test (AKV)
The James Boswell Instituut (JBI), the language centre at Utrecht University, holds this test four times a year. The test
focuses on communicative skills, understanding and command of the Dutch language, English reading skills, ICT skills and
knowledge of dentistry in the Netherlands.

Professional assessment (BI test)
The professional assessment for dentists is held twice a year by the Academic Centre for Dentistry in Amsterdam (ACTA).
The ACTA is run jointly by the Universiteit van Amsterdam and the VU University Amsterdam. The professional assessment
consists of four tests:

Basic Medical Knowledge
Radiology and Science
Knowledge of Dentistry Part I
Theory test
Knowledge of Dentistry Part II
Dental cleaning
Excavation practice
Preparing a three-part bridge
Pre-clinical test
Endodontic treatment of a 2-channel element
Anamnesis Drafting an anamnesis with a prepared patient (actor)
Diagnosis, identifying
indications and planning
treatment
The clinical case is a test of integral dental knowledge, analytical capacity and solution-
seeking skills. The candidate is given two cases to deal with.
The procedure in five steps

Step I The application:
application form(CIBG);
original diploma (verification by Nuffic);
proof of professional competence from country of origin.

Step II General knowledge and skills test (AKV):
participation fee (500);
one re-sit possible, within 12 months.

Step III Professional competence tests:
participation fee(1500);
registration and 3-month optional preparation period at ACTA.

Step IV Completion of application procedure:
information and communication on test results;
advisory interview with members of CBGV.

Step V Advice:
Specific advice on basis of test results and advice from CBGV (three possibilities):
1. equivalent restricted inclusion in the BIG register (6-month introduction to the Dutch
healthcare system);
2. not equivalent, with a specific training advice of one, two or three years, leading to a Dutch
qualification in Dentistry;
3. not equivalent applicant will need to take full Dutch training in Dentistry.