Does the dental hygiene clinical examination include procedures on a clinical simulator?

The assertion that the dental hygiene clinical examination does not include procedures on a clinical simulator is founded in the understanding of how these practical assessments are structured. Typically, clinical examinations for dental hygiene licensure are designed to evaluate a candidate’s hands-on skills and patient care capabilities in real-life scenarios.

Clinical simulators, while useful for training and practicing techniques in a controlled environment, do not provide the direct patient interaction and assessment needed during the licensure examination. The purpose of the clinical exam is to ensure that candidates can competently carry out procedures on actual patients while adhering to infection control standards and demonstrating the ability to manage real clinical challenges.

In this context, using a simulator might be beneficial for educational or preparatory purposes, but it falls outside the scope of the official evaluation criteria for licensure examinations in dental hygiene. This delineation is crucial, as it reinforces the fact that assessments are ultimately focused on real-world performance rather than simulated scenarios.