The recommendations for the Dental Assisting Professional Model have become a reality. The model has been in the works by a dedicated team of 20 dental professionals for more than a year, and it was released recently.
The team included dental assistants, dentists, educators, dental hygienists, and regulators. Their mission was to address the ongoing dental assisting shortage by developing a framework that outlines proposed dental assisting levels and functions, education and training, and how to implement them.
Lack of uniformity has held the profession back
There’s been a need for consistency in the DA profession for a long time, and the Professional Model strives to establish an understanding of what dental assistants do and how they can advance. Qualifications and training for DAs is currently different in every state, which has often discouraged people from entering the field.
“The Dental Assisting Professional Model is a critical step in strengthening and clarifying the profession, not only for dental assistants, but for states, dentists, and practices across the country,” said Dental Assisting National Board CEO Laura Skarnulis.
“The workgroup that developed the model dedicated significant time, collaboration, and expertise to create a framework that reflects the needs of the profession and supports recruiting and retaining dental assistants to build the future workforce," Skarnulis continued. "The model has received overwhelming support from across dentistry as evidenced by the incredible endorsements received thus far, underscoring the importance of this work and the momentum behind elevating dental assisting nationwide.”
An October 2023 survey conducted by DANB found that dental professionals agree that educated, qualified dental assistants are a top priority for the profession. Eighty-three percent of dentists and DAs agree there needs to be uniformity among states regarding dental assisting laws and regulations.1
In the same survey, 72% of dentists report difficulties hiring assistants due to not enough applicants or unqualified applicants. Fifty-nine percent of dentists prefer to hire educated and credentialed assistants. More than half of DAs and dentists cite lack of career growth as an obstacle for those who might be considering entering the field.1
The Professional Model addresses the DA shortage and uniformity by:
- Providing a career map to attract and retain assistants
- Enabling entry into the profession through either educational programs or on-the-job training
- Improving professional mobility of dental assistants from state to state
- Providing states and dental practices with an adaptable framework that reflects the needs of dentistry
3 levels of dental assisting and the advantages
The Professional Model recommends three dental assisting levels:
- Level 1—entry level
- Level 2—intermediate
- Level 3—restorative expanded functions
A level 1 DA will perform basic chairside and intraoral functions, infection control, and radiography. A level 2 DA will perform intermediate intraoral and preventive functions, and nitrous oxide monitoring. Finally, level 3 DAs will be restorative expanded functions dental assistants, able to perform advanced intraoral, expanded, and restorative functions.
States can use the new model to create a new EFDA level, modify existing levels, and adjust what functions are allowed at each level. Employers can use the model to create training guides for assistants and develop paths for promotions for their dental assistants.
The overarching theme that the workgroup wants to stress is patient and occupational safety, which they feel will be met through uniformly trained and motivated dental assistants.
The DA Professional Model has received the approval of numerous professional organizations agree it will strengthen the profession and provide a consistent and qualified workforce. These include the American Association of Dental Boards, American Dental Assistants Association, American Dental Education Association, American Network of Oral Health Coalitions, Association for Dental Safety, and more.
Read the complete Recommendations for Dental Assisting Model.
Reference
1. Kaiser M. Survey shows agreement in the profession for dental assisting advancement. DentistryIQ. April 6, 2024. https://www.dentistryiq.com/dental-assisting/career-enhancements/article/14310693/survey-shows-agreement-in-the-profession-for-dental-assisting-advancement
