Preparing for the NDECC Clinical Skills exam is not just about knowledge and continuous practice — it's also about having the right guidance and technique. Many internationally trained dentists are not familiar with Typodont teeth and the protocol given by the examining body for evaluation.
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. Using inappropriate or unfamiliar instruments can lead to avoidable mistakes such as rough margins, over-preparation, or poor restoration finishing. Being well-equipped ensures:
- Consistency in clinical outcomes
- Efficiency under timed conditions
- Confidence when handling simulated patients
Cassette with Instruments
Hu-Friedy MH7 + MIR5HD Mirror
Hu-Friedy XP23/QOW6 Thin Williams colour coded explorer/probe
Hu-Friedy DP2 College dressing pliers
Hu-Friedy DP18L 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
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 & MT296 Margin trimmers
Hu-Friedy CP15/166 or 15/16 Hatchet
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 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
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
Other Materials
Acteon Mini L.E.D OEM Handpiece Curing light 02710
SDI Ultramat 2 Amalgamator (set to 7 seconds, non-adjustable)
SDI Permite alloy regular set & slow set 2-spill
Harmonize Composite shade A3 Enamel
Tofflemire Matrix band (standard) 0.0015" thickness, 1/4" width
Henry Schein Articulating paper — thin blue 71 microns
3M finishing & polishing strips (coarse/medium — Regular & Narrow width)
Garrison Composi-tight sectional matrix system
Cotton rolls, gauze, alcohol wipes, Vaseline
Wedge Update (September 2025): Waterpick Wizard Wedges have been discontinued. They are replaced by Premier Sycamore Wood Wedges (UT Orange, 13XT Neutral, 13T Green) starting September 22, 2025.
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 based on the sequence you want to perform.
- Label trays clearly — So you can quickly access what you need under pressure.
Can I bring my own instruments? NO — you cannot bring your own instruments into the NDECC exam. The only exception is dental loupes.