r/nbdhe

Ask me anything you want to know about the NBDHE

I took the Canadian boards today and let me tell you, I’m almost 100% sure I failed. I searched up at least 40-50 of the questions I got on the exam and they were ALL wrong. Not to mention, the questions I don’t even remember I probably got them wrong too. I feel DEFEATED. I’m genuinely so sad and disappointment. I don’t even know where to go from here..

im feeling very discouraged and disappointed. i left the exam with at least 30-40 questions flagged every 100 questions. case studies were slightly better but still not too sure how those went. i used Andy mostly but idk if that prepared me or if anything else would’ve prepared me. it was so oddly specific questions and questions ive NEVER heard of. most of my classmates used Andy and have passed so im feeling like if i used the same material i feel like i should be fine???

ugh im hoping and praying this is a universal experience and there’s an insane curve bc it was a MESS

I took my exam last week and I’m stressed. Trying to ease my mind but I want to know how the curve works and how the grading system works and also how many tests versions there are.

I’m feeling really overwhelmed by how many questions I’m getting wrong on the NBDHE apps. I’ve been studying for the past two months using StudentRDH, and over the last month I bought several other resources for extra practice questions, including the NBDHE app, AndyRDH, DHS, and Booster Prep.

Booster Prep makes me feel the most confident because the rationales are clear, easy to follow, and actually help me understand the material. The AndyRDH app has probably been the most frustrating because the rationales barely explain why answers are right or wrong. With DHS, I feel like a lot of the questions are way outside of what I’ve reviewed so far.

At this point, I’m wondering if I overwhelmed myself by using too many different study sources and question banks. I’m honestly starting to freak out a little.

Hi guys! I took my NBDHE and passed and used NBDHEBooster but didn't use it for long, fortunately I had a pause membership token so there is 72 days left on the account. I previously offered it to a classmate of mine but she doesn't need it anymore. Is anyone interested?

Hi everyone! I’m taking my exam this Wednesday the 20th in Arlington Texas! I was wondering if anyone else would be there?! I’ve been using the Andy’s and booster prep but still feel underprepared🥺 any advice would help!!!

I’m considering getting it to prepare for my dental hygiene boards. I’ve heard very good things about it but I’m not sure if it’s worth getting it as I’m tight on money

Hi everyone i just need to rant because I took my NBDHE on 05/12/2026. I used ANDYRDH the premium package, and went to the seminar. I studied on and off for 2months, and studied hard the week before my exam. I mostly relied on the subject and mock board practice test questions on andy’s app and read the book twice throughout the weeks before I took my boards.

My school is 100% pass rate and when I asked my friends who have taken the boards they were saying how easy it was and they felt prepared, and saying it was very straight forward.. However, When I took the first 100 I felt pretty good about it , But when I took the last 100, I felt HORRIBLE.. I was flagging so many questions that I thought I would have time to go back and review but I looked at my exam and realized I was running out of time.. Thats when I started feeling very doubtful and anxious.

The case studies, I also didn’t feel confident in and I felt like it was a little difficult because of the staging and grading, I had to rely on pocket debts and radiographs. Also ASA, when I am given a patient who is diagnosed with something and it is controlled with medication I would assume you put ASA 2 because it is CONTROLLED, but then their blood pressure would be elevated so I assume I would automatically put them at ASA 3 because their blood pressure ISN’T controlled.. Idk, I honestly feel horrible about this exam and I feel like I failed because I was alway stuck on 2 answers and felt like I was guessing on majority :(

Hi guys,

I just failed my NBDHE for the 4th time I feel so dumb i study for hours everyday, I take tutorials I really do my best I just keep failing I just want to give up I realize I don’t really know how to pass this test and I’m afraid if I keep taking it I will keep failing because I feel like I’ve giving it my all already idk what to do anymore. I’ve never really see anyone here posting abt failing the test 4 times. I’m feeling like I’m alone in this. I feel very embarrassed abt this. I’m looking for advice and maybe a study partner. Please help me.

For how much I’ve used this subreddit for the past 6 months I feel like I’m obligated to post my experience!!

I just got my results yesterday that I passed the NBDHE!!

I “began” studying in December 25 when I attended DHS in person in Orlando. This was a great experience to attend in person but wouldn’t say it’s needed. For me, I’m a very visual and auditory learner. So hearing the information, while seeing the words, was great. It was nice to hear the information from someone else that was not our regular instructors. They had different insights and way of explaining things that really set concepts in stone for me. Being in person and not watching them just on video online, forced me to take in the information. It was a good refresh of all 1st year information and a good prequel to my last semester.

I started my second semester of my last year of hygiene school in January. I did what most hygiene students do and set a study schedule. Did I follow it? Of course not. I started the first week strong and it went downhill from there. Each week went by where I’d tell my self I’d study the next and I didn’t. I would review information here and there but I never sat down to study for hours.

It got to the point I was a month out from my exam (April 30th) and I attempted to study a little bit more. I’d put on DHS videos while I was getting ready for the day or making dinner. My roommate was also in the program and we would ask each other questions randomly. Before I knew it I was 2 weeks from my exam. It really hit me.

I got an ad for booster on instagram and briefly heard another classmate talking about it. I accessed all the free portions of it and really liked it. I decided to bite the bullet and pay for it with only 2 weeks to go. It was on sale at the time so I got it for $140. I figured I’d rather pay that than have to pay $600 to retake the exam.

I went through all the questions and flagged everything I didn’t know. I then went through the notes and copied everything I didn’t know by heart (so a lot). The last 2 weeks I spent 1-6 hours a day in a local coffee shop, so I wouldn’t be tempted to procrastinate by doing other chores or activities at home. Every night I would read through ALL my notes from the start. Studying before bed is great for memory retention!!

I didn’t study at all the day before. Test day came and I was nervous but felt content with what I knew. During the exam, I flagged many questions. If there was a question I didn’t know and knew I wouldn’t figure out, I’d do my best to pick the best option and move on. If I didn’t know it, I didn’t know it and it was the best educated guess. Move on, don’t stay stuck or get in your head about one question!! I knew the basics and after the exam I felt confident but still nervous like everyone else.

When it comes down to it, it depends on who you are as a learner. I procrastinated everything in hygiene school, but I felt like I couldn’t get something done if I didn’t have a little bit of pressure. Once I really understood a topic, it was hard for me to forget about. Focus on the topics you know least about first and nail those down. For me it was pharmacology, path, and nutrition. Then, move on to the topic you know more about and review them. Write down the weak points.

As far as booster vs. DHS. Pick based on your learning style. I used quizlet all through hygiene school and it was great for me. Even though DHS has questions, I felt like they were almost too easy, repetitive and didn’t give great explanations. Booster excelled in these areas and I learned so much. Try the free trial and see if it works for you! It also looks exactly like the NBDHE as far as format goes. It doesn’t have any mock exams, but I got that from DHS.

Thank you to everyone who’s posted on this subreddit!! Just reading other peoples experiences has given me so much confidence and encouragement these past few months. Good luck, you can do it!! :)))))

Its already such a dominating feeling leaving that exam, theres nothing really that can prepare you for it. I studied for hours, weeks, and still I left there quite sad. At first, I thought it went okay.. then I googled many questions and realized I got the answers wrong! I was so annoyed with how they sort of confuse you... I had been told it wasnt the case. But, I beg to differ. Anyway, to keep some sanity forget googling stuff.. you cant do much now and the stress does not need to add up!

For those who took the NBDHE, do you have any tips? Or was there anything you wished you studied that showed up on your exam that you weren’t expecting?

so ive been using andyRDH to study and ive been scoring pretty well (80-90s) on his course questions, app questions, and even the online modules he has. how similar are the questions on the NBDHE from Andy??? i still feel like i need to prepare more 🥲 any tips i should focus more on? I also use the DHS app periodically but i feel like they get very nitty gritty sometimes. i use the NBDHE app too.

not sure if anyone has done momwifeteeth sessions and if u have any experience with her lmk too. i just bought a session with her soon just so ik if im on the right track.

alsoooo what are the MUST haves on the cheat sheet, ik bp, meds, etc but one are something’s i should put on there that are not common?

anything helps thank you!!

Hi! I have 47 days remaining on my NBDHE Booster Prep and I found out today I passed!!! Selling the remainder of my subscription for $50

How many questions can you miss and still pass the nbdhe like a rough estimate because I took it today and I feel I’m around the border likes 50/50 idk

I need some words of encouragement right now. I’m starting to feel anxious about the exam and doubting my knowledge. I’ve been reading my DHS book, quizzing myself with Andy’s questions, and reviewing some of Darby’s questions as well. I’m afraid that once I’m in the exam, I’ll panic and forget how to critically think through the questions.

Hi everyone, my exam retake is tomorrow and I'm trying to practice writing information down for my cheat sheet, and for some reason I'm struggling trying to remember the eruption dates. Can anyone help me out, please and thank you.
Also I'm very nervous and hope I can pass this second time.