DANB honors Betty Doss, CDA, for 50 years of DANB certification at TDAA General Assembly

The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) recently honored Betty Doss, CDA, RDA, at the Texas Dental Assistants Association (TDAA) General Assembly for 50 years of DANB certification.“Kathleen Boyle, one of Betty’s best friends and the TDAA President-Elect, wanted to surprise her at the TDAA General Assembly,” says Lindsay Stevens, Senior Marketing Coordinator with DANB. Stevens represented DANB and the DALE Foundation at the meeting, during which she invited Doss up to the stage to receive her award. “Betty had no idea, and was very shocked and surprised when she was called to the stage.”DANB presents those who have held DANB certification for 50 years or more with a personalized brick at the National Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore, limited-edition pin, 50-year pin loop and certificate to honor this milestone anniversary. “We framed both the picture of Betty’s brick at the National Museum of Dentistry and the congratulatory letter,” says Stevens, who also presented Doss with flowers, a card and a CDA rhinestone pin. Doss, who has held TDAA membership almost as long as her DANB certification, was completely surprised. “When I looked at the program, I thought, ‘Oh, that’s nice; someone is receiving an award for 50 years of DANB certification.’ I didn’t notice that I was the one!” Doss began her dental assisting career in 1956 while still in high school, as part of the school’s work program. After graduation, she continued to work for the same dentist, then moved to Austin. “That’s about the time I became certified,” she says. “When I took my CDA exam (in 1961), it was not legal for assistants to take x-rays. That was the first major development — that we were allowed to take x-rays. And now, a doctor would never touch a film!”After she had her son, Doss went to work for Dr. Lee in Dallas, where she stayed until she retired in early 2011. “I put in about 35 years in that office,” she says. “His daughter, Dr. Scott, took over the practice after Dr. Lee passed away. Because she was a mother, she worked a shorter week, and as I raised my child, that helped me.”Over the years, she reflects, dental assistants have been allowed to do “more and more” in terms of expanded functions. Doss counts the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as another milestone during her career. “When OSHA came along,” she says, “there became so many more guidelines and rules and regulations to help keep patient and employees safe.”Renewing her CDA certification, says Doss, became more important over time. Some of her friends, she says, allowed their certifications to lapse, “but they would always regret it. The older I got, or the more time that went by, the CDA meant more and more. I always liked to see CDA next to my name. Many years ago, we had pins that we wore. I was always proud to have that wreath on my pin, that I was certified.”But the path wasn’t always rosy. Some years, says Doss, “it was hard financially to pay the fees.” She was also audited by DANB twice. “I was almost offended,” she laughs. “But they have reasons!” Doss now spends her retirement as an active member of TDAA and attends dental conventions around the country, even taking advantage of a zip-lining activity while attending a convention in Hawaii. “I’m 71; I’m not sure I should continue to do these things,” she says with a laugh.Although zip-lining and traveling around the country are obviously keeping this retiree inspired, Doss counts the DANB award as something she never anticipated. “I never expected the picture, the flowers ... that was probably the thrill of a lifetime, professionally.”