Is there a correlation between performance on dental and medical board examinations?

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a correlation exists between passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 (USMLE) on the first attempt and performance on National Board Dental Examination Part I (NBDE).

Questionnaires were sent to program directors of 52 dual-degree oral and maxillofacial surgery programs. The information requested concerned residents of each program from 1990 to 2000 and included NBDE scores and number of attempts each resident took to pass the USMLE Step 1. Also included was the number of years of medical school each program required, as well as time given to USMLE Step 1 study preparation. The data were analyzed to determine if a relationship exists between NBDE Part I score and pass rate on the USMLE Step 1 on the first attempt. Data presented are the mean +/- SD.

Questionnaires were received from 26 of 52 (50%) dual-degree oral and maxillofacial surgery programs regarding 426 residents. The overall average of NBDE Part 1 was 92.55 +/- 3.62 (range, 83 to 99). The average NBDE Part I score for those candidates who passed the USMLE Step 1 on the first attempt was 93.75 +/- 3.02, and for those who did not pass the USMLE Step 1 on the first attempt, it was 89.12 +/- 2.93. The average NBDE Part I score is significantly higher for those subjects who passed the USMLE Step 1 on the first attempt (P <.001). A candidate with an NBDE Part I score of 95 to 99 is 75 times more likely to pass the USMLE Step 1 on the first attempt than is a candidate with a score of less than 90. A marginal association was found with study preparation time and amount of medical school completed during residency.

A significant correlation exists between NBDE Part I score and pass rate on the USMLE Step 1 examination.