Most States regulate the duties that dental assistants are allowed to perform. Some States require licensure or registration, which may include passing a written or practical examination. There are a variety of schools offering courses – approximately 10 to 12 months in length – that meet their State’s requirements. Other States require dental assistants to complete State-approved education courses of 4 to 12 hours in length. Some States offer registration of other dental assisting credentials with little or no education required. Some States require continuing education to maintain licensure or registration. A few States allow dental assistants to perform any function delegated to them by the dentist.
Individual States have adopted different standards for dental assistants who perform certain advanced duties. In some States, for example, dental assistants who perform radiological procedures must complete additional training. Completion of the Radiation Health and Safety examination offered by Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) meets the standards in more than 30 States. Some States require completion of a State-approved course in radiology as well.
Certification and Other Qualifications
Certification is available through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) and is recognized or required in more than 30 States. Certification is an acknowledgment of an assistant’s qualifications and professional competence and may be an asset when one is seeking employment. Candidates may qualify to take the DANB certification examination by graduating from an ADA-accredited dental assisting education program or by having 2 years of full-time, or 4 years of part-time, experience as a dental assistant. In addition, applicants must have current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. For annual recertification, individuals must earn continuing education credits. Other organizations offer registration, most often at the State level.
Dental assistants must be a second pair of hands for a dentist; therefore, dentists look for people who are reliable, work well with others, and have good manual dexterity.
Lecture Series For Assistants
- From Our Side of the Chair
- The Esthetic Assistant
- What the Lab Needs to Know
- The Complete Care Assistant
- Case Presentation on Steroids
- The Doctor-Assistant Team
- The Art of Clinical Digital Photography
- To Fill the Space
- Dental Materials Showcase
- Esthetic Provisionals for the Chairside Assistant
- Understanding Occlusion or the Chairside Assistant
Hands-On Series
- Cad Cam Staining and Glaze
- D4D Cad Cam Assistant
- The Art of Clinical Digital Photography
- Esthetic Mock Up Using Wax and Composite
- Exquisite Provisionals Anterior and Posterior
- Rubber Dam: This is Easy
- To Fill the Space
- Isolation, Preparation and Cementation
- The Art of Facebow Transfer, Pouring, and Mounting Models
- A Clean place to work: Setting up the operatory and lab
- The Dental Concierge
- Records for Success
Lecture Series For Team
- The Esthetic Dental Team
- Dental Materials Update
- The New Patient Coordinator
- Understanding Occlusion or the Dental Team