For those of you who are curious the National Board Exam is split into two parts. The first part my classmates and I took right after our first year of school, (I wrote a blog about it if you're curious about it) the second part is taken after our third year of school. The second part is 400 questions the first day over everything you need to know about dentistry, including endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, orthodontics, pedodontics, oral surgery, pharmacology, pathology, you get the point. The second day is 100 case questions, giving you a patient's chart, x-rays, and sometimes some photos. Then you must take all the information gathered and answer questions based on this specific "patient". The test is 8 hours the first day and 4 the second, although you can leave early if you finish them all sooner.
After three months of studying every night after clinic, no weekends, and not sure if I could ever know everything I would be tested on, I took the second National Board Dental Exam on June 12th & 13th. Waiting is the worst part after the exam is over. It usually takes 2-4 weeks to receive the results for the test that just consumed ones life for literally months. I felt pretty good leaving the testing center, but there is always that doubt that I didn't know enough, I answered that question wrong, and I didn't know what that question was asking. Yesterday I found out that the scores were posted and this is what I saw
I passed! I am so relieved and excited that I have completed both parts of this rigorous, stressful, and challenging test! Now, a lot of people think is the last exam I have to take, that I can be a dentist now, but unfortunately I have to take another test...
This fall I will take the written part of my licensure exam, similar to the second day of the test I just took. After I pass that I will take a practical type exam, completing fillings, a root canal, and scaling and root planing in live patients in the spring before I graduate. Then, and only then, will I be able to be a dentist.
This next year is my last year of school before I graduate next May as Dr. Deacy. This year I will be completing all my graduation procedure requirements, going on four external rotations to Wisconsin, Kansas twice, and Sedalia, all lasting a month, and looking for my first real JOB. I'm excited for what I will learn this last year of school and the improvements I will make skill-wise and knowledge-wise.
One last little tidbit of insight. While getting this exam result is an amazing and overwhelming feeling of happiness, excitement, and relief, nothing compares to the everlasting joy I have inside of me because Jesus Christ lives in me. The happiness from passing this test will fade, but having faith in Jesus will never fade. He is eternal, alive, and able to do immeasurably more than we could ever hope or imagine. Many will think that I am just smart that they had no doubt that I would pass this test, but I will be the first to tell you that I prayed every single day about this test. Whether it be to remind me of life balance, knowing what to study, or giving me peace, I prayed for help. Many, many prayer warriors joined in on this request to God Almighty. I am not able, I am not amazing, it is Jesus. God is the one who led me to dentistry, has given me the talent, the knowledge, and the ability to perform the responsibilities I am required in this incredibly difficult and challenging career.
"God is within her, she will not fail." Psalm 46:5
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