Dental Assisting Certifications

Legal requirements vary greatly from state to state, but the majority officially recognize DANB certification. 38 municipalities either require it or allow dental assistants who have it to perform more duties. Eight states have their own state-specific exam administered through DANB, but most use the general one.

Having certification confers hiring advantages and frequently means higher earnings. The DANB reports that a certified assistant may earn up to $2.04 an hour more. In order to be certified, you must meet prerequisites (through experience or education). The exam is actually made up of three smaller exams: General Chairside Assisting, Infection Control, and Radiation Health and Safety. The testing process is computerized, but there’s a tutorial on the DANB site to help you.

There are also specialty/ advanced certification exams, the COA (Certified Orthodontic Assistant) and the CPDA (Certified Preventative Dental Assistant). You become eligible for the COA after either formal education or significant work experience. You may also earn certificates that show your expertise in particular areas, like tooth polishing.

Certification must be renewed each year. You must do 12 continuing dental education units for your first certification and six for each additional one.

Most states have different designations for different levels of expertise and training. Both the policies and the terminology vary. Some procedures may be contingent on taking additional classes and/ or exams. Many states differentiate between those who have DANB certification and those who don’t. Multiple states have a designation “dental assistant qualified in coronal procedures”. North Carolina uses the designations Dental Assistant I and Dental Assistant II.

If you move from one state to another, your scope of practice (allowable duties) may change, and you may need to take additional examinations.