The American Board of Dental Examiners has completed its first administration of the ADEX Dental Examination in Saudi Arabia, according to the board. The examination was conducted during the first week of January 2026 at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah.
According to the board, the administration marked the first time the ADEX Dental Examination was delivered in Saudi Arabia following nearly three years of collaboration between ADEX and King Abdulaziz University. The university is one of two Commission on Dental Accreditation-recognized dental education programs operating outside the United States, which positioned it as an international site for the examination.
“This examination represents the culmination of nearly three years of planning, collaboration, and shared commitment to excellence,” said Dr. Benjamin Wall, director of examinations for ADEX. “The facilities, faculty support, and operational readiness at King Abdulaziz University met the rigorous standards required for the ADEX examination.”
According to the board, preparation for the examination included multiple site visits, infrastructure validation, examiner preparation, and operational testing. These steps were taken to ensure the examination met established psychometric, clinical, and security standards.
“We are deeply grateful to the leaders at KAU for their dedication and collaboration in bringing the ADEX examination to Saudi Arabia,” said Dr. Mark Armstrong, chair of ADEX. “This expansion represents a meaningful step forward in furthering our mission and contributing to international dental competency standards that may ultimately protect public health and safety worldwide.”
The ADEX Dental Examination is not required for licensure within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. According to the association, candidates may pursue the examination for professional distinction and for its acceptance by U.S. licensing jurisdictions. The board stated that completion of the Saudi Arabia administration reinforces the examination’s role as an internationally used measure of clinical competency.
Saudi Arabia joins other international locations where the ADEX Dental Examination is administered, including Canada, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and Mexico, according to the board. ADEX continues to work with academic institutions, regulators, and examiners to maintain consistent standards while expanding access to licensure assessments.
The American Board of Dental Examiners is a not-for-profit organization established in 1969 that supports dental boards through independent competency examinations developed and approved by representatives of state dental boards. According to the association, its examinations are accepted or required by law in 51 U.S. jurisdictions and serve as the initial licensure pathway for most dental and dental hygiene candidates nationwide. More information is available at adextesting.org.
