Clinical board examinations: variation found in pass rates.

ABSTRACT

This study found significant variation in pass rates within and among state and regional dental board clinical examinations during 1979-1988. This suggests that factors other than the abilities of the candidates influence exam outcomes. As long as individual states can argue that there is currently no definitive system to assure the quality of dental care, states may remain reluctant to relax their restrictions on dentists' freedom of movement.