Dental Assistant Certification and License Requirements
The dental assistant position is a part of ensuring a successful team by increasing efficiency in the office. They have a wide range of duties, such as patient care and administrative work. Dental assistants work very closely with dentists, patients, and other staff members.
Dental assistants have many job responsibilities and most of them include assisting the dentist and preparing the patient for whatever procedure is scheduled or is necessary. Other dental assistant duties may include: applying suction throughout a patient procedure, assisting patients before and after the procedure with comfort and questions, and handling any post-visit cleanup.
Certificate and Licensing Requirements
Perspective students can attend training to become a dental assistant. This training is available at vocational schools, community colleges, universities, or technical institutes. A dental assistant has the option of becoming a registered dental assistant (completing training and does not take the national certification exam) or being a certified dental assistant (completing training and passing a national certification exam).
Students must complete training to earn a dental assistant certificate, as most states regulate the duties that assistants can perform before being required to attend hygienist training. Obtaining a license means formal training at an accredited institution and then passing an exam. As state requirements widely vary, it is recommended to contact the local state board of dentistry for more specific information.
The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) is responsible for administering the certification for dental assistants. Training institutions are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Perspective dental assistants may become licensed after completing the DANB certification exam. The requirements for the exam is either complete training from a CODA-accredited facility or by having at least 2 years of full-time, or 4 years of part-time, experience as a dental assistant. Current CPR certification is also required to take the exam.
Exam Information
Taking the Dental Assistant National Board certification exam is voluntary, but it does offer students a higher probability of employment and easier mobility in their profession. The American Dental Association recognizes DANB as the agency for credentialing dental assistants. The Certified Dental Assistant exams are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. The exam is divided into three components, which are: Radiation Health and Safety, Infection Control, and General Chairside Assisting. The test is made up of 320 questions. The score range is 100 to 900 and the student must score a 400 to pass.
Costs associated with the exams are as follows. Students should note that to become certified only the CDA test is required. Providing a student has not passed a certain component of the test, then that section would need to be retaken and those fees paid.
- Certified Dental Assistant- $300
- General Chairside Assisting- $175
- Radiation Health & Safety- $150
- Infection Control- $150
Once the exam is passed successfully, the dental assistant certification is effective for a period of one year. Once that year is up, the student may extend it with 12 credits of continuing education and a renewal fee.