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Is the Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT) the Metric Needed to Assist with Postgraduate Admissions? Two
Alec S Eidelman1, Thomas Whitmer2
1Mr. Eidelman is a Class of 2018 DMD-MPH student, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and is American Student Dental Association District 1 Advocacy Chair; Mr. Whitmer is a Class of 2018 DMD student, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. eidelmanalec@gmail.com.
Abstract:
In 2012, when the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) was changed from a numerical scoring system to pass/fail, advanced dental education programs lost a metric widely used for differentiating applicants to those programs. The American Dental Association (ADA) has developed the Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT) to address this issue. Implementation of the ADAT began in 2016 with a pilot program, which has not yet been widely accepted in the overall admissions process. This Point/Counterpoint explores the benefits and challenges of using the ADAT for postgraduate admissions. Viewpoint 1 supports use of the ADAT, arguing that the test provides a viable, long-term solution to this immediate need. In contrast, Viewpoint 2 questions the need for and appropriateness of this additional academic measure for postgraduate admissions.
