It’s a new year and as a profession, dental assisting is reaching new heights. For the first time in the history of the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB), there are consistently more than 33,000 DANB Certified Assistants maintaining their DANB Certification. DANB congratulates all Certificants on their continued commitment to dental assisting excellence!
DANB Certificants include all Certified Dental Assistants (CDAs), Certified Orthodontic Assistants (COAs), Certified Dental Practice Management Administrators (CDPMAs), Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Assistants (CDPMAs), and now Certified Preventive Dental Assistants (CPDAs) who have earned and annually renew their DANB Certifications. If you are DANB Certified, wear your lapel pin proudly!
DANB Certification is not only a source of pride for those who earn it, but is also a way to strengthen the profession as a whole. Dental assisting is one of the fastest-growing occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment is expected to grow 36 percent from 2008 to 2018, and job prospects are excellent. Although entry-level positions are available, many dentists prefer to hire dental assistants with experience who have met state requirements to take on additional duties in the office.
Holding DANB Certification is one way a dental assistant can stand out in the field. Currently, DANB’s exams are recognized or required to perform dental assisting duties in 38 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Air Force and the Department of Veterans Affairs. In fact, passing DANB exams is often required to perform additional duties or expanded dental assisting functions.
This is an exciting time for dental assistants. Many states are expanding the duties assistants are allowed to perform. Currently, 43 states allow dental assistants to perform coronal polishing procedures, 35 allow dental assis¬tants to apply sealants, 44 allow dental assistants to apply topical fluoride, and 48 allow dental assistants to apply topical anesthetic.
To keep up with these changes, DANB has developed a new certification program, Certified Preventive Dental Assistant (CPDA), scheduled to be available in April 2011. DANB’s CPDA Certification includes component exams on coronal polishing, sealants, topical fluoride and topical anesthetic. Although each state sets its own requirements to perform these functions, DANB is proud to be able to offer an objective, reliable and valid exam to measure competency in these expanded duties.
Certification Advances the Profession
DANB Certificants take their dental assisting careers seriously, which elevates the profession and garners respect from peers and patients. DANB Certification renewal requires earning at least 12 Continuing Dental Education credits annually, which means DANB Certificants are lifelong learners who continuously develop their dental knowledge and stay on the leading edge of trends and technology.
Earning and maintaining DANB Certification demonstrates a professional commitment and enhances the dental team. Frequently, employers prefer or require DANB Certification because DANB Certificants are often able to take on additional duties and increase practice efficiency. DANB’s 2010 Salary Survey shows that DANB CDAs stay in the profession, and with the same employer, longer than non-certified assistants.
Employers report that DANB Certificants demonstrate a professionalism that enhances the overall quality of patient care and the reputation of the dental office. A patient may ask the dental assistant what type of training or education he or she received. A dental assistant who is DANB Certified can proudly point to his or her framed certificate and note the credentials behind his or her name.
This year, many DANB Certificants reached milestone anniversaries. More than 1,600 Certificants have been DANB Certified for five years, and 500 have held Certification for 20 years. In fact, three DANB Certificants will reach their 50-year anniversaries this year, joining seven current CDAs who have already surpassed that mark. DANB is proud of its Certificants’ commitment to dental assisting excellence.
As the profession continues to grow, DANB Certification will likely play an even more important role. To those who are already Certified and annually renew, DANB congratulates you! And to those dental assistants who are looking to advance their careers, consider earning DANB Certification a resolution for the new year.
Visit www.danb.org for more information.
