Practice Enhancement Tool

The Practice Enhancement Tool (PET) is an independent online assessment that allows dentists to self-evaluate their knowledge, skill and judgment based on peer-derived standards. It consists of multiple choice and case study questions, based on a foundation of knowledge required of all dentists.

All dentists must complete the PET once they have been in practice for five years, and every five years thereafter.

There are 17 competency areas of practice:

  • Caries
  • Infection prevention and control
  • Operative and preventive dentistry
  • Orthodontics
  • Pharmacology
  • Radiology
  • Endodontics
  • Jurisprudence and ethics
  • Oral medicine and pathology
  • Pediatric dentistry
  • Prosthodontics
  • Dental anesthesia
  • General medicine
  • Medical emergencies
  • Oral surgery
  • Periodontics
  • Public health


For those with a specialty certificate in dental anesthesia, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology, oral radiology, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics or prosthodontics, the assessment will include their particular specialty area, as well as five additional competency areas that are most relevant to their specialty.


Resources

The PET assessment is open-book. You can refer to textbooks, journals and many other resources to help you answer the questions.

We have compiled a list of useful resources to help you.

For additional information, please email PET@rcdso.org. We will contact you within two business days.