How to prepare for your endodontic boards -Ace Goerig

On April 20th, 1983 John Chamberlin and I took the oral portion of the Endodontic
Boards. In preparation for the boards we could find few guidelines on what to study,
how to organize all the material and what to expect during the examination. To
address these questions the I have included three PDFs study guides that I used and
taught from. Even though these are older, they will give you a basic guideline to
fundamental endodontics and help you organize your material. Add and delete to this
list so that you can justify your own endodontic technique. This is to help you organize
and become smarter, faster; It is not to be used as a crutch.

ATTITUDE: The oral boards offers you the opportunity (forces you) to be the smartest
that you will probably ever been in the field of endodontics. It brings all the
endodontic literature together and enables you to evaluate and justify your endodontic
techniques. When done you will be able to thoroughly critique the literature and
realize the many voids that there are and from this many research projects will be
generated. It is truly a stimulating and rewarding learning experience..

PREPARATION: The time needed to prepare varies among individuals, each of us

knows our own capabilities and how fast we can learn. For us the hardest part was
categorizing the information gathered. Once we determined the categories, an abstract
of each important articles was developed and placed in the appropriate subject area.
We tried hard not to over burden the subject areas with numerous articles that showed
the same thing, but picked the best articles (pro and con) and knew them well (ie. how
the research was done, problems they had, critique of their research, etc.) We also
reviewed and categorized all the literature written by the board members.

I would start preparing 4 to 6 months from the exam date. I would review the JOE’s
and 000’s articles, starting from the most current articles and work back. Pay close
attention to the literature reviews in each of the important articles for they are a good
review and critique of the older articles that you will soon read. Make notes on any
interesting articles and place them in the appropriate category. Be sure to review all
the classic articles that you were given you during your training.

My weakest areas were in immunology, pulp physiology, oral pathology and

management of systemic diseases. Although the board is very clinical, these areas will
be thoroughly evaluated by the board. Start studying these areas early so that you feel
comfortable with them during the time of the examination. We recommend the
following material to study from:
The monogram is a good review of all the above subjects.
Starting the last 2 months before the exam, I would start systematically study each
subject, setting time aside at night and weekends to study.

HELPFUL HINTS:

1. Don’t get bogged down in too many articles per subject area.
2. Check with other Endodontist (as near as your phone) who are taking the board
to clarify foggy areas. If you can get together to study, wait until you both have a good
grasp of the material. John and I spent the last four weekends before the exam,
studding together.
3. Have the Oral pathologist quiz you on intra oral lesions and systemic diseases
related to endodontics.
4. Dedicate the last two weeks before the exam to sleep and think Endo.
5. Keep cool. The pass rate is over 90%. If you put out the effort you will pass. Be
confident and enjoy your learning experience.
6. The last few days before the exam, relax, don’t try to cram, review the notes on
the most likely questions that would be asked (ie. your endo technique, perio—endo,
etc.)
7. Remember your family. You may find yourself turning into a crab the last
month before the exam, your must schedule your time to allow time for your family.
This gives you important break time and enables your mind to work better.

THE DAY OF THE EXAM:

Four to six weeks before the exam you will be given an invitation to sit for the orals
and a time slot (a month before that you will be asked what time and day you would
like to take the exam). The exam will start exactly at that time so be there 10 to 15
minutes early. You will be examined in 3 rooms by 2 examiners in each room. Every
examiner tries to make you at ease and attempts to guide you to the correct answer.
They have a projector in each room and will project cases for you to discuss. Before
you enter the room put yourself in the right frame of mind (ie. you know the material,
you have put out the effort and you want to share what you have learned with a fellow
colleague). There will be times that you do not know the answer, just tell them so and
move on to the next question. Try to back all answer with references, it shows your
knowledge of the literature and also takes time. They tell you before hand that they
may cut you off and move to another subject, this does not reflect on your answer, but
enables the examiners to test you on more subjects, faster. You will find that the time
will fly by.
AFTER THE EXAMINATION:

Once you walk out of the last room the worrying should stop. (easy for me to say). The
board decides who passed or failed the last day of the examination. You will receive a
letter that you passed 2 to 3 weeks after the examination. Do not expect to get any
positive response from the board members after the examination. It is the board policy
to give the results only by letter. Although I initially felt good about my examination, I
felt I could have done better. After talking with John, I realized I missed more than I
thought. This made me worry more. During the meeting it seemed that the board
members did not want to talk to me even though I knew most of them. Paranoia had
definitely set in. I thought it was because I had failed. This was not the case. You must
remind yourself that you are well trained, have put out the effort, and you will not be
denied. Good Luck!!!! ACE.