Side by Side - Summer 2015 - 6


Professional Growth

UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE
OF SEEKING DENTAL ASSISTANT
CREDENTIALS AND PURSUING
ONGOING EDUCATION

O

ver the last decade, the roles
and responsibilities of dental
assistants and the opportunities
they represent have evolved, and
now is a very exciting time for dental assistants
in terms of their careers and how they function
as vital members of the practice team. Dental
assisting is currently one of the fastest growing
professions, one with a number of changes taking
place regarding dental practice and the rules and
regulations affecting what dental assistants can
do. More duties are allowed to be delegated to
qualified dental assistants, and there is now a
more definite career path for dental assistants in
most states where there might not have been one
in the past.

functions to dental assistants-and also knowing
how to maximize the resource of a fully qualified
dental assistant-comes into play. Compounding
matters is the fact that every state has a different
law governing what dental assistants can do.
"It's complicated, but exciting," Durley
emphasizes, noting that the significance of dental
assistants is increasingly being elevated. "Dental
assistants have a clear career ladder that now
enables them to stay in this profession, grow in
their capabilities and professional fulfillment, and
not get bored."

Ongoing Education for Personal
and Professional Growth

"We're seeing a lot of expansion into preventive
functions, such as fluoride applications, and
more so within the past two years in restorative
functions," observes Cindy Durley, MEd, MBA,
executive director of the Dental Assisting National
Board, Inc. (DANB®). "That doesn't mean dental
assistants are cutting tooth structure, but in some
states, they are assisting dentists in restoring
teeth by placing amalgams and composites, as
well as performing other procedures in the oral
cavity that lead up to that point."

That is why now, more than ever, it is important
for dental assistants to invest in themselves by
pursuing ongoing continuing education as well as
becoming credentialed. There are many benefits
to earning DANB certification, which is a national
dental-assisting credential that is recognized and/
or required in 38 states, the District of Columbia,
the US Air Force, and the Department of Veterans
Affairs. Other states may also have specific
credentials, and while some states recognize
the DANB credentials and examinations, others
maintain their own.

Such procedures include ensuring a clean
and dry working field, isolating the teeth,
taking impressions, and performing whitening
procedures. According to Durley, the difficulty
is keeping up with and staying abreast of the
knowledge and skills required to be qualified to do
so. Then, dentist confidence in delegating those

DANB's primary certification is the Certified
Dental Assistant (CDA), which requires dental
assistants to meet eligibility criteria either by
virtue of completing a dental assisting program
that is accredited by the Commission on Dental
Accreditation or by working for an extended

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6

"It's complicated, but
exciting. Dental assistants
have a clear career ladder
that now enables them to
stay in this profession,
grow in their capabilities
and professional fulﬁllment,
and not get bored."
period of time as a dental assistant. To earn this
credential, dental assistants must pass three
different examinations and meet eligibility
prerequisites, after which they are authorized to
use the CDA certification mark after their name.
Continued DANB certification requires annual
renewal, completing continuing dental education
courses, maintaining their CPR certification, and
being a lifelong learner. DANB also offers an entry
level credential for individuals who do not meet
the eligibility requirements for the CDA-called
DANB's National Entry Level Dental Assistant
[NELDA™] certification-in addition to expanded
functions credentials. These include Certified
Preventive Functions Dental Assistant (CDFDA®)
and Certified Restorative Functions Dental
Assistant (CRFDA®). DANB also has a certification
for orthodontic assistants.
In addition to DANB certifications, there are
state-specific credentials that can be earned,
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Side by Side - Summer 2015
