Variables that predict success on the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination

The purpose of this research was to determine which, if any, of students' academic variables (high school grade point average [GPA], ACT scores, grades in college biological, physical, and behavioral sciences, dental hygiene GPA and college cumulative GPA as well as demographic variables [age and marital status]) were useful in predicting a passing score on the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE). The entire population of 1983-86 graduates from three associate degree granting dental hygiene programs (N = 219) served as subjects. Information was obtained from the students' records retained at the schools. The research showed that grades in college anatomy, nutrition, sociology, chemistry, and physiology are the best predictors of the dental hygiene GPA. The best predictors of pass/fail status on the NBDHE are dental hygiene GPA, ACT social studies, sociology, general psychology, and anatomy.