United States · Licensing examNBDHE prep, official and paid
| Option | Price | Free to use | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official | |||
JCNDE NBDHE sample questionsThe exam owner’s PDF of sample questionsWritten by NBDHE test constructors to show the question types and formats. The Technical Report says some released items may be outdated. | Free | The Candidate Guide says they’re available at no charge | |
JCNDE NBDHE practice testThe JCNDE’s timed practice modules, sold through Pearson VUEA full form has 180 items in 240 minutes, and you have 30 days to finish. Results are raw scores, and the JCNDE says they haven’t been correlated with NBDHE scores. | $100 for a full form, or $20 to $75 a module | Not free | |
JCNDE Candidate Guide and reference textsThe rules, the test specifications and the source booksThe guide is updated each year. The reference texts list shows the books question writers used. | No charge listed | Posted as PDFs on the JCNDE’s site | |
Pearson VUE NBDHE tutorialA walk-through of the test softwareIt needs a Windows PC and won’t run on a Mac. A 15-minute version is offered at the test center too. | No price shown | Pearson VUE posts it as a download | |
| Board reviews | |||
StudentRDHOnline NBDHE board review, with a book in its VIP PackageIt shows the VIP price as reduced from $1,113 and lists six months of access with unlimited extensions. It says it includes 5,000+ practice questions and full mock boards. Its pass rate claims are its own. | $397 On-Demand, $497 VIP, $97 case studies | It offers free mini-reviews by email | |
AndyRDH Board ReviewsAndyRDH’s Dental Hygiene Academy: a three-day seminar, in person or streamed, plus online coursesIts Premium packages carry a money-back guarantee, with terms on its site. Some packages include three simulated mock NBDHE exams. | $199.99 to $499.99 for 2027 packages | A 14-day free trial | |
| Books | |||
Dentin NBDHE ebooksDentin’s study guide and drill book, as ebooksDentin lists the drill book as 1,001+ High Speed Drills for the NBDHE. | $135 NBDHE ebook, $125 High Speed Drills ebook | Not free | |
Prices and ratings checked November 2026.
Start with the JCNDE’s own study material
These come from the people who write the exam. They aren’t a course, but they tell you what’s tested and which sources the questions draw on:
- The NBDHE Candidate Guide, with the test specifications for your test date
- The reference texts list, which shows the books subject matter experts used when writing questions
- Recent and Forthcoming Updates, which says which guidelines the questions follow, such as the 2017 periodontal classifications
- The acronyms and abbreviations list, for the short forms that may appear on screen
Which dental hygiene board review suits you?
The options below work in different ways, so match them to how you study. These descriptions are the companies’ own, from their pages in November 2026.
- A live seminar: AndyRDH runs a three-day board review, in person or as a virtual live stream, with recordings in some packages.
- Self-paced online: StudentRDH’s On-Demand Package gives six months of online access, with practice questions and full mock boards.
- Online plus extras: StudentRDH’s VIP Package adds a printed book, case studies and webinars.
- A book or ebook: Dentin sells NBDHE ebooks, and StudentRDH’s NBDHE book comes in its VIP Package.
Both StudentRDH and AndyRDH advertise pass rates, and AndyRDH a money-back guarantee. Those are their own claims, with terms on their sites. The JCNDE publishes failure rates for everyone who takes the exam, not by review course.
Practice questions alongside your review
The JCNDE has its own timed practice test, sold through Pearson VUE, and a free PDF of sample questions. Review companies write their own questions as well. If you use both, keep in mind that the JCNDE says its practice results don’t predict your score.
A study path for the months before your test
The JCNDE doesn’t publish a study schedule. But its dates shape one: it tells you to book with Pearson VUE 60 to 90 days before the date you want, and you have six months from approval to test. Here’s one way to use that time:
- Check the test specifications for your test date in the Candidate Guide.
- Work through the content areas with your course notes, the reference texts or a board review.
- Leave time for patient cases. They make up 150 of the 350 questions.
- Take a timed practice form to get a feel for the pace.
- Book your date once your eligibility email arrives, so you aren’t squeezed by the six months.
Remembered questions and “recalls”
Be careful with sets of questions people say they remember from the exam. The Candidate Guide says obtaining, using or sharing exam questions is strictly prohibited, including memorized ones posted online. The Department of Testing Services investigates reports, and results can be voided. If you’re sent real exam content, the JCNDE asks you not to look at it and to email testsecurity@ada.org.
Sources: JCNDE · StudentRDH · AndyRDH and 5 more. Checked November 2026.
- JCNDE: Prepare for the NBDHE ↗
- JCNDE: NBDHE 2026 Candidate Guide, updated September 17, 2026 (PDF) ↗
- JCNDE: NBDHE reference texts (PDF) ↗
- JCNDE: Recent and Forthcoming Updates (PDF) ↗
- StudentRDH: NBDHE board review options ↗
- AndyRDH: Board review packages ↗
- Dentin: NBDHE study guides ↗
- StudentRDH: Case Studies Package ↗
Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.
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