This collaboration was formalized in a signing ceremony attended by various dignitaries from KAU and ADEX, including KAU's Acting President Prof. Hanaa Al-Naim, KAUFD Dean Prof. Abdulghani Mira, and ADEX President Dr. Mark Armstrong.

Under this agreement, ADEX will administer licensure exams covering different dental specialties, using advanced methods like high-fidelity computerized objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), simulation on manikins, and clinical examinations on patients. The first of these exams is scheduled to take place on the KAU campus from June 23 to 27, 2024.

Notably, KAU is the first institution outside the United States and South America to host these American Licensure Examinations for dental practitioners. This is made possible because KAUFD is accredited by the US-based Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), which makes its graduates eligible for the licensure examination.

Prof. Mira highlighted that this partnership establishes KAUFD as an international center for ADEX licensure exams, attracting dental practitioners from around the world. This initiative is in line with KAU and KAUFD's strategic plans and supports the objectives of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 by fostering strategic international alliances and enhancing dental professional standards in the Kingdom.