Hawaii Administrative Rules › Title 16 - DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS › Chapter 79 - DENTISTS AND DENTAL HYGIENISTS › Appendix A - Grading Criteria for The Practical Sections of the Hawaii Dental Licensure Examination

Current through June, 2024
RATING
SCORE
EXTERNAL OUTLINE
INTERNAL FORM/PULPAL PROTECTION
CAVITY REFINEMENT
S A T I S F A C T O R Y
IDEAL
5
Contiguous fissures and decalcification involving the
						  DEJ appropriately treated. Complete caries removal. Angle of departure at
						  90° on proximal. Appropriate cavosurface angle on occlusal. Gingival and
						  proximal contacts appropriately broken. Care of adjacent hard/soft tissue.
Appropriate extension for convenience, resistance, and
						  retention. Ideal pulpal wall depth 1.5 mm. Ideal axial wall depth 0.5 mm from
						  DEJ with a minimal gingival wall width of 0.9 mm. Complete caries removal.
						  Retention forms of appropriate depth and placement. Appropriate base placement
						  (when indicated).
Walls and margins smooth. Enamel walls parallel enamel
						  rod direction. No unsupported enamel. Well defined cavity preparation. No
						  debris present (toilet of the cavity).
SLIGHT ERRORS
4
Slightly over/underextended outline. Contiguous fissures
						  and decalcification involving the DEJ adequately treated. Complete caries
						  removal. Angle of departure slightly over/under 90°. Gingival and proximal
						  contacts broken. Care of adjacent hard/soft tissue.
Pulpal and/or axial walls slightly shallow/deep.
						  Complete caries removal. Retention forms of appropriate depth and placement.
						  Adequate base placement (when indicated).
Walls and margins slightly rough. Enamel walls parallel
						  enamel rod direction. No unsupported enamel. Defined cavity preparation. Slight
						  debris present.
MODERATE ERRORS
3
Moderately over/underextended outline. Contiguous
						  fissures and decalcification involving the DEJ minimally treated. Complete
						  caries removal. Angle of departure moderately over/under 90°. Gingival and
						  proximal contacts broken. Care of adjacent hard/soft tissue.
Pulpal and/or axial walls moderately shallow/deep.
						  Complete caries removal. Retention forms of appropriate depth and placement.
						  Minimally adequate base placement (when indicated).
Walls and margins moderately rough. Enamel walls
						  parallel enamel rod direction. No unsupported enamel. Minimally defined cavity
						  preparation. Moderate debris present.
N O T
S A T I S F A C T O R
						  Y
MARKED ERRORS
2
Markedly over/underextended outline. Marked failure to
						  remove contiguous fissures and/or decalcification involving the DEJ. Angle of
						  departure markedly over/under 90°. Failure to break gingival and/or
						  proximal contacts. Marked mutilation of adjacent hard/soft tissue.
Pulpal and/or axial walls markedly shallow/deep.
						  Incomplete caries removal. Retention forms excessive and/or inappropriately
						  placed. Inadequate base placement.
Walls and margins markedly rough, irregular, and/or
						  jagged. Enamel walls markedly unsupported and/or undermined. Marked debris
						  and/or base present on walls and/or in line angles.
GROSS ERRORS
1
Grossly over/underextended outline form. Gross failure
						  to remove contiguous fissures and/or decalcification involving the DEJ. Angle
						  of departure grossly over/under 90°. Gross contact of adjacent tooth. Gross
						  mutilation of adjacent hard/soft tissue.
Pulpal and/or axial walls grossly shallow/deep. Gross
						  caries remains. Retention forms excessive and/or inappropriately placed.
						  Failure to place base (when indicated).
Walls and margins grossly rough, irregular, and/or
						  jagged. Enamel walls grossly unsupported and/or undermined. Gross debris and/or
						  base present on walls and/or in line angles.
CRITICAL ERRORS
0
Critically over/underextended outline form. Critical
						  mutilation of adjacent hard/soft tissue. Total lack of concept of operative
						  dentistry.
Mechanical pulpal exposure. Pulpal and/or axial wall
						  critically shallow/deep. Critical caries remain. Total lack of concept of
						  operative dentistry.
Walls and margins critically rough, irregular, and/or
						  jagged. Preparation undefined. Enamel walls critically unsupported and/or
						  undermined.
GENERAL CRITERIA FOR AMALGAM RESTORATION HAWAII DENTAL
				LICENSURE EXAMINATION
RATING
SCORE
SURFACE QUALITY
MARGIN INTEGRITY
CONTOUR AND FUNCTION
S A T I S F A C T O R Y
IDEAL
5
Uniform smoothness of entire surface of restoration.
						  Devoid of pits or scratches. Dense condensation. Burnished.
Junction of tooth/restoration undetectable.
All contours and occlusal and proximal surfaces
						  appropriately restored. Proximal embrasures and proximal and occlusal contacts
						  appropriate. Care of hard/soft tissue.
SLIGHT ERRORS
4
Restoration exhibits slight roughness, pits, and
						  scratches. Dense condensation.
Slight detectable catches at tooth/restoration junction.
						  Margins closed.
Slight over/under contour of surfaces. Weak proximal
						  contact. Appropriate occlusal contact. Lack of care of hard/soft tissue.
MODERATE ERRORS
3
Restoration exhibits moderate roughness, pits, and
						  scratches. Dense condensation.
Moderate detectable catches at tooth/restoration
						  junction. Catches correctable at polishing.
Moderate over/under contour of surfaces. Minimal
						  proximal contact. Appropriate occlusal contact. Lack of care of hard/soft
						  tissue.
N O T
S A T I S F A C T O R
						  Y
MARKED ERRORS
2
Restoration exhibits marked roughness, pitting and/or
						  scratches. Soft condensation. Surface pieces flake off.
Open margin. Marked tooth/restoration junction
						  discrepancy. Marked interproximal overhang.
Absence of appropriate contour and anatomical form.
						  Excessive depth of carving in amalgam. Lack of proximal contact and/or
						  embrasure form. High occlusion. Hard and/or soft tissue damage.
GROSS ERRORS
1
Restoration exhibits gross roughness, pitting and/or
						  scratches. Soft condensation. Surface pieces flake off.
Gross open margin. Gross tooth/restoration junction
						  discrepancy. Gross interproximal overhang.
Gross absence of appropriate contour and anatomical
						  form. Grossly excessive depth of carving in amalgam. Gross lack of proximal
						  contact and/or embrasure form. Grossly high occlusion. Gross hard and/or soft
						  tissue damage.
CRITICAL ERRORS
0
Critically over/underfilled. Surface totally defective
						  or missing.
Open margin to DEJ. Critical interproximal overhang.
Fractured or displaced restoration. No concept of form
						  and function. Complete lack of proximal contact and/or embrasure form.
						  Excessive mutilation of hard and/or soft tissue. Complete or partial loss or
						  fracture of restoration.
GENERAL CRITERIA FOR CAVITY PREPARATION FOR COMPOSITE
				HAWAII DENTAL LICENSURE EXAMINATION
RATING
SCORE
EXTERNAL OUTLINE/OPERATIVE ENVIRONMENT
INTERNAL FORM/PULPAL PROTECTION/TOILET OF
						  CAVITY
S A T I S F A C T O R Y
IDEAL
5
Ideally extended for convenience of preparation, removal
						  of contiguous decalcification, and finish of enamel margins. Care of adjacent
						  hard/soft tissue.
Ideal extension of axial wall for complete caries
						  removal. Walls and margins ideally defined. Complete caries removal. Ideal base
						  placement (when indicated). No debris present.
SLIGHT ERRORS
4
Slightly over/underextended outline form. Contiguous
						  decalcification adequately treated. Care of adjacent hard/soft tissue.
Slightly over/underextended axial wall. Walls and
						  margins adequately defined. Complete caries removal. Adequate base placement
						  (when indicated). No debris present.
MODERATE ERRORS
3
Moderately over/underextended outline form. Contiguous
						  decalcification minimally adequately treated. Care of adjacent hard/soft
						  tissue.
Moderately over/underextended axial wall. Walls and
						  margins minimally adequately defined. Complete caries removal. Minimally
						  adequate base placement (when indicated). No debris present.
N O T
S A T I S F A C T O R
						  Y
MARKED ERRORS
2
Markedly over/underextended outline form. Marked failure
						  to remove contiguous decalcified areas. Failure to conserve tooth structure.
						  Marked mutilation of adjacent hard/soft tissue.
Markedly over/underextended axial wall. Failure to
						  conserve tooth structure. Walls and margins markedly undefined. Incomplete
						  caries removal. Markedly inadequate base (when indicated). Debris present on
						  walls.
GROSS ERRORS
1
Grossly over/underextended outline form. Gross failure
						  to remove contiguous decalcified areas. Failure to conserve tooth structure.
						  Gross mutilation of adjacent hard/soft tissue.
Grossly over/underextended axial wall. Failure to
						  conserve tooth structure. Walls and margins grossly undefined. Gross caries
						  remain. Grossly inadequate base placement (when indicated). Gross debris
						  present on walls.
CRITICAL ERRORS
0
Critically over/underextended outline form. Total lack
						  of concept of operative dentistry. Critical mutilation of adjacent hard/soft
						  tissue.
Mechanical pulp exposure. Walls and margins grossly
						  undefined. Critical caries remain. Critical debris present on external walls.
GENERAL CRITERIA FOR COMPOSITE RESTORATION HAWAII DENTAL
				LICENSURE EXAMINATION
RATING
SCORE
SURFACE QUALITY
MARGIN INTEGRITY
CONTOURS/FUNCTION/SHADE
S A T I S F A C T O R Y
IDEAL
5
Uniform smoothness of entire surface of restoration,
						  devoid of voids, pits and scratches. Polished.
Junction of tooth/restoration undetectable.
All contours, occlusal and proximal surfaces ideally
						  restored. Proximal embrasures, contacts ideal. Care of hard/soft tissue. Shade
						  matches natural tooth.
SLIGHT ERRORS
4
Restoration exhibits slight roughness, pits and/or
						  scratches. Polished.
Slight detectable catches at tooth/restoration function
						  but margin closed.
Slight under/over contour. Proximal embrasures, contacts
						  adequate. Shade varies slightly from natural tooth. Slight lack of care of hard
						  and/or soft tissues.
MODERATE ERRORS
3
Restoration exhibits moderate roughness, pits and/or
						  scratches. Polished.
Moderate detectable catches at margin that are
						  correctable in polishing.
Moderate under/over contour. Proximal embrasures,
						  contacts minimally adequate. Shade varies moderately from natural tooth.
						  Moderate lack of care of hard and/or soft tissue.
N O T
S A T I S F A C T O R
						  Y
MARKED ERRORS
2
Restoration exhibits marked roughness, pits and/or
						  scratches. Contaminated surface.
Open margin. Marked tooth/restoration junction
						  discrepancy. Marked overhang/catches.
Marked under/over contour. Proximal embrasures markedly
						  inadequate, proximal contacts open. High occlusion. Shade varies markedly from
						  natural tooth. Marked lack of care of hard and/or soft tissue.
GROSS ERRORS
1
Restoration exhibits gross roughness, pitting and/or
						  scratches.
Gross open margin. Gross tooth/restoration junction
						  discrepancy. Gross overhang/catches.
Gross under/over contour. Gross lack of contact and
						  embrasure form; high occlusion. Gross hard/soft tissue damage.
CRITICAL ERRORS
0
Entire surface missing. Surface totally defective. Loss
						  or substantial chip/fracture of restoration.
Critically open margin. Critical overhangs.
Restoration fractured or displaced. Complete lack of
						  proximal contact and/or embrasure form. Critical mutilation of hard/soft
						  tissue. No concept of form and function.
GENERAL CRITERIA FOR ENDODONTIC ACCESS PREPARATION
				HAWAII DENTAL LICENSURE EXAMINATION
RATING
SCORE
ACCESS OR OPENING
DIRECT ACCESS
INTERNAL WALLS AND FLOOR
S A T I S F A C T O R Y
IDEAL
5
Ideally extended, ideal cavosurface angle.
Ideal direct access to canal(s).
Walls and floor clean, without pits and gouges. No
						  debris present.
SLIGHT ERRORS
4
Slightly over/underextended.
Direct access to canal(s) compromised.
Walls and/or floor slightly pitted or rough.
MODERATE ERRORS
3
Moderately over/underextended. Error(s) present but does
						  not preclude a satisfactory result.
Access to canal(s) can be attained with difficulty.
Walls and/or floor moderately pitted and/or gouged.
N O T
S A T I S F A C T O R
						  Y
MARKED ERRORS
2
Markedly over/underextended.
No direct access to canal(s) leading to possible lodging
						  or perforation of canal(s).
Walls and/or floor markedly pitted or gouged.
GROSS ERRORS
1
Grossly over/underextended.
No direct access to canal(s). File cannot enter
						  canal(s).
Walls and/or floor grossly pitted or gouged.
CRITICAL ERRORS
0
Failure to unroof chamber. Tooth damaged, unrestorable.
Canal(s) not located or identified.
Perforation of chamber floor, walls or canal(s).
GENERAL CRITERIA FOR CAST RESTORATION PREPARATION HAWAII
				DENTAL LICENSURE EXAMINATION
RATING
SCORE
FORM OF PREPARATION/REDUCTION
RETENTION
FINISH, MARGINS AND BEVELS
S A T I S F A C T O R Y
IDEAL
5
Ideally extended for convenience and prevention. Ideal
						  occlusal reduction. Ideal coronal/pulpal/axial reduction.
Parallelism is ideal, no undercuts internally or
						  externally. Ideal taper for retention and withdrawal. Boxes/walls are parallel,
						  ideally defined, and ideal length and location.
Ideal finish and smooth walls and well defined angles.
						  Margins and bevels ideally placed, smooth and well defined.
SLIGHT ERRORS
4
Slightly over/underextended for convenience. Slight
						  over/under occlusal reduction. Slight over/under coronal/pulpal/axial
						  reduction.
Parallelism compromised and slight internal undercut.
						  Slight imperfections in boxes. Slightly inadequate length of wall.
Walls, line angles, and margins slightly rough. Margins
						  slightly under/overextended. Margins, bevels deep, shallow or irregular.
MODERATE ERRORS
3
Moderately over/underextended for convenience and
						  protection. Moderate over/under occlusal reduction. Moderate
						  coronal/pulpal/axial reduction.
Parallelism compromised and moderate internal undercut.
						  Moderate imperfections in boxes. Moderately inadequate length of wall.
Walls, line angles, and margins rough and moderately
						  irregular. Margins and bevels moderately deep, shallow or irregular.
N O T
S A T I S F A C T O R
						  Y
MARKED ERRORS
2
Markedly over/underextended for convenience and
						  protection. Marked over/under occlusal reduction. Marked over/under
						  coronal/pulpal/axial reduction. Marked mutilation of adjacent hard/soft tissue.
Parallelism inadequate. Marked internal or external
						  undercut. Markedly excessive taper. Boxes markedly ill defined and/or
						  improperly placed. Markedly inadequate length of the wall.
Walls, line angles, and margins rough and markedly
						  irregular with poor finish. Margins and bevels markedly deep, shallow or
						  irregular.
GROSS ERRORS
1
Grossly over/underextended for convenience and
						  protection. Gross over/under occlusal reduction. Gross over/under
						  coronal/pulpal/axial reduction. Gross mutilation of adjacent hard/soft tissue.
Parallelism inadequate. Gross external or internal
						  undercut. Grossly excessive taper. Boxes lack definition and/or are improperly
						  placed. Gross lack of retention.
Walls, line angles, and margins grossly deep, or shallow
						  with irregularities. Margins and bevels rough with poor finish.
CRITICAL ERRORS
0
Critically over/underextended for convenience and
						  protection. Reductions exhibit a critical lack of concept. Critical mutilation
						  of adjacent hard/soft tissue.
Tapered or critical undercut. Critical lack of
						  retention. Critical lack of concept.
Margins and/or bevels lack definition.
GENERAL CRITERIA FOR WAX PATTERN HAWAII DENTAL LICENSURE
				EXAMINATION
RATING
SCORE
CONTACT
MARGINS
S A T I S F A C T O R Y
IDEAL
5
The interproximal contacts are visually closed with
						  ideal placement and coronal contours. Ideal gingival embrasure.
The margin of patterns are flawless in adaptation,
						  placement and contour on both the tooth preparation and die, with good
						  resistance and retention.
SLIGHT ERRORS
4
The interproximal contacts are visually closed with
						  slight deviation of ideal placement, coronal contours or gingival embrasure.
Slight discrepancy in margin detail, placement and
						  contour on both the tooth preparation and die.
MODERATE ERRORS
3
The interproximal contacts are minimally re-established,
						  and have moderate discrepancy in placement, coronal contour or gingival
						  embrasure.
Moderate discrepancy in margin detail, thick or thin,
						  but sealed.
N O T
S A T I S F A C T O R
						  Y
MARKED ERRORS
2
Interproximal contacts visually open. Marked
						  discrepancies in shape, anatomical position, or gingival embrasure.
Margin detail markedly lacking. Excesses, deficiencies
						  detected visually on both the tooth preparation and die. Open margin with
						  inadequate resistance and retention.
GROSS ERRORS
1
Interproximal contacts grossly open. Gross discrepancies
						  in shape, anatomical position or gingival embrasure.
Gross margin excesses, deficiencies detected visually on
						  both the tooth preparation and die.
CRITICAL ERRORS
0
No concept of contact form.
Critically lacking or missing margin detail.
GENERAL CRITERIA FOR WAX PATTERN HAWAII DENTAL LICENSURE
				EXAMINATION
RATING
SCORE
WAX CONDITION
OVERALL FORM, CONTOURS AND OCCLUSION
S A T I S F A C T O R Y
IDEAL
5
Wax is uniformly smooth and polished, free of pits and
						  voids with appropriate thickness. Internal wax provides ideal resistance and
						  retention.
The pattern ideally resembles the morphology of the
						  tooth being restored with centric contacts consistent in shape, size and
						  intensity with such contacts on other teeth; facial and lingual contours in
						  harmony with adjacent teeth.
SLIGHT ERRORS
4
Slight imperfection in wax smoothness and polish.
						  Internal wax provides slight lack of resistance and retention.
Slight deviation in morphology, centric occlusion and
						  facial and lingual contours.
MODERATE ERRORS
3
Wax exhibits irregularities in smoothness, polish and
						  thinness of wax but wax pattern is castable. Internal wax provides moderate
						  lack of resistance and retention.
Moderate imperfections in morphology, facial and lingual
						  contours and occlusion is light.
N O T
S A T I S F A C T O R
						  Y
MARKED ERRORS
2
Marked imperfections of smoothness, polish and thinness
						  of wax. Wax pattern is not castable. Internal wax provides marked lack of
						  resistance and retention.
Marked discrepancy in morphology, facial and lingual
						  contours too bulky, and occlusion is heavy, causing open bite.
GROSS ERRORS
1
Gross, significant irregularities including pits and
						  voids. Wax pattern is not castable. Internal wax provides gross lack of
						  resistance and retention.
Gross discrepancy in morphology, obvious excessive
						  facial and lingual contours, bulkiness causing open bite.
CRITICAL ERRORS
0
Critical imperfection in wax. Perforations and/or
						  fractures. Wax pattern is not castable.
No concept - no resemblance to the morphology, space
						  relationship to adjacent tooth or occlusion.
The amended
				version of this appendix by
				Hawaii
				Administrative Rules Listing of Filings, 2016-01, August,
				eff.8/22/2016 is not
				yet available.