Updates to the practical examination infection prevention and control marking rubric

The infection control marking rubric for all dental professions has been revised and the ADC is making it publicly available to all candidates.  

We are publishing the marking rubric to help candidates better understand the standards for assessing infection prevention and control, and to prepare for the practical examination and for practice in the Australian context.  

You can find the infection prevention and control marking rubric in the general dentistry practical examination handbook. 

The marking rubric should be used as a tool to assist in preparation but should not limit candidates’ own research and understanding of the standards and guidelines for infection prevention control in Australia. Other helpful tools can be found on the Dental Board of Australia’s website in ‘Resources for dental practitioners’.  

What else will change? 

Starting January 2026, general dentistry candidates will also be specifically instructed to demonstrate hand washing at one technical OSCE station during their clinical skills examination day. For all other technical OSCE, candidates will have the choice of hand washing or using alcohol-based hand rub.  

Candidates should note that the criteria shared in the marking rubric are those that are common across all technical OSCE stations. Individual OSCE stations may have additional infection control criteria, specifically relevant to that task which are not included in the publicly available information.