Preparing for the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDECC) Clinical Skills exam is not just about knowledge and continuous practice— it’s also about having the right guidance and right technique. Many internationally trained dentists are not familiar with Typphodont teeth and protocol given by the examining body for evaluation of exam. This blog will walk you through the strategies or planning needed for success in the NDECC Clinical Skills exam.
Why Having the Right Instruments Matters
The NDECC is designed to test not only your technical ability but also your clinical judgment, ergonomics, time management and standards of infection control during patient treatment. Using inappropriate or unfamiliar instruments can lead to avoidable mistakes such as rough margins, over-preparation, or poor restoration finishing. On the other hand, being well-equipped ensures:
- Consistency in clinical outcomes.
- Efficiency under timed conditions.
- Confidence when handling simulated patients.
LIST OF INSTRUMENTS AND MATERIALS
Cassette with Instruments
Hu-Friedy MH7 + MIR5HD Mirror
Hu-Friedy XP23/QOW6 Thin Williams color coded explorer/probe
Hu-Friedy DP2 College dressing pliers
Hu-Friedy DP18L or Cotton college dressing pliers locking Henry Schein 1048441
Henry Schein A2-J Lever Amalgam Carrier 3/5 Medium/ X-Large double end
Premier Dental Amalgam Carrier Regular/Large Double End Each
Hu-Friedy PLGH16 H1 Hollenback Amalgam plugger double end
Hu-Friedy PLGH2 Amalgam plugger Hollenback Double End
Hu-Friedy CD3/67 3/6 Discoid-Cleoid carver
Hu-Friedy CVHL1/27 1/2 Hollenback carver
Hu-Friedy MT286 Margin trimmer
Hu-Friedy MT296 Margin trimmer
Hu-Friedy CP 15/166 or 15/16 Hatchet
CP15/16 or CP15/169
Hu-Friedy GK7 #7 Black Gold Foil Knife
Hu-Friedy BB21B6 21B burnisher
Hu-Friedy BB27/297 27/29 Football burnisher
Hu-Friedy WA Amalgam well
Waterpik 20016453 Waterpik Original Tofflemire II Matrix Retainer Universal
Hu-Friedy TNBBL3 3 Ladmore burnisher, XTS composite instrument
Hu-Friedy TNCIGFT3 3 Goldstein Flexi-thin composite instrument
Garrison FXP01 Composi-tight 3D fusion ring placement forceps
Garrison FX500 Composi-tight 3D ring(s) soft-face in small box
Hu-Friedy EXDG167 DG16 Endodontic explorer
Hu-Friedy EXC32L6 32L Endodontic excavator
Hu-Friedy CS246 24 Spatula
Hu-Friedy S16 16 Goldman-Fox curved scissors
Hu-Friedy APF2 Articulating paper forceps
Hu-Friedy H2 2 Curved Kelly hemostat
Hu-Friedy SH5/339E2 Jacquette Scaler #9 EverEdge
Equipment and Materials
KaVo air-driven handpieces:
KaVo MASTERtorque Mini M8700L High speed
KaVo 460LED MULTIflex LUX Coupler
KaVo SMARTmatic S20K Low-speed contra-angle (latch)
KaVo SMARTmatic S80K Low-Speed (friction grip)
KaVo SMARTmatic S10K Low-Speed (straight)
KaVo INTRA 181K AirMotor Low-Speed
Acteon Mini L.E.D OEM Handpiece Curing light 02710
Amalgaator SDI Ultramat 2 (The amalgamators are set to 7 seconds and cannot be adjusted)
Permite alloy regular set 2-spill
Permite alloy slow set 2-spill
Tofflemire Matrix band (standard) 1 0.0015” (thickness)1/4” (width)
Waterpick Wizard Wedges assorted wooden matrix wedges (These wedges have been discontinued and will no longer be offered after September 15, 2025). They will be replaced by: Premier Sycamore Wood Wedges wooden matrix wedges (UT Orange, 13XT Neutral, 13T Green) (Will be offered starting September 22, 2025)
Henry Schein Articulating paper sheet thin blue 71 microns
Mylar celluloid matrix strips straight 0.002
Palodent sectional matrices standard
Henry Schein disposable bendable micro applicator
Harmonize composite shade A3 Enamel
Unidose composite gun-dispenser
3M finishing & polishing strips coarse/medium – Regular width
3M finishing & polishing strips coarse/medium – Narrow width
Henry Schein Retreat K retraction cord knitted plain cotton size 0
Henry Schein VP mix putty fast set
Henry Schein Dispos-a-Brush disposable brushes standard bristles
Pentron Clinical dispenser gun for temporary material 1:1 50 mL
Voco Structur Premium A2 Fast Set
Kerr Herculite ultra flow syringe A3.5
Prebent dispensing tips Black 19 Gauge
Cotton rolls
Gauze
Alcohol wipes
Henry Schein ACCLEAN floss unwaxed
Vaseline petroleum jelly
Buffalo Lab knife no 6 green handle
Henry Schein lab Muslin buff 1" thickness, 4” diameter polishing wheels
Meta Dental Pink compound polishing bar
Henry Schein Laboratory Pumice Medium/Fine
Maintaining infection control isn’t just about safety—it’s also evaluated during the exam.
How to Organise Your Instruments for Exam Day
Many candidates struggle not because they lack instruments but because they fail to organise them properly. Follow these strategies:
- Practice setups in advance – Mimic exam conditions at home or in a simulated environment.
- Categorise by procedure – Keep instruments grouped separately based on the sequence of procedure you want to perform in the exam.
- Label trays clearly – So you can quickly access what you need.
A Common Question: Can I use my own instruments in the NDECC exam?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions by candidates. The answer is: NO, you can bring only dental loups,
Final Thoughts
Success in the NDECC Clinical Skills exam is not just about knowledge—it’s about preparation, precision, and practice with the right instruments. By investing in reliable tools, practising consistently with them, and organising them effectively, you can significantly improve your confidence and outcomes.