DANB's back-to-school resources

Sept. 22, 2011
Whether you’re an educator, student, chairside assistant or front office manager, DANB and the DALE Foundation offer tools to help you thrive this back-to-school season.

The beginning of fall also marks the start of another season: back to school. Whether you’re an educator, student, chairside assistant or front office manager, DANB and the DALE Foundation provide resources to make this school year your best one yet!

For educators, DANB offers materials to help enhance programs and classrooms. Dental assisting instructors can take advantage of DANB’s group testing option, which allows groups of four or more students to take a DANB exam on the same day at or around the same time, at any Pearson VUE computer test site. “Students enjoy being able to take their exams at the same time as their classmates; they often bond over the experience,” explains Jane Hanson, DANB’s Senior Coordinator, Testing.

Program directors can sign up to receive DANB’s Program Performance Reports, which provide the overall results of students’ performance on DANB exams. “Program directors really appreciate the information that is available in the Program Performance Report,” Hanson says. “They can use the information to see how their classes of students are performing on DANB exams from year to year.”

DANB also offers fun classroom materials, such as DANB pens, tote bags, rulers and posters. These items can be ordered from DANB’s Materials Order form, which is available on DANB’s website.

For students and chairside assistants looking to take DANB exams, DANB offers resources to help determine a study plan. DANB’s exam application packets provide lists of DANB’s exam reference materials to help you identify textbooks and resources to prepare for DANB exams. Additionally, you can download exam blueprints from DANB’s website. “DANB’s exam blueprints are a great resource to help students maximize their study sessions,” notes Johnna Gueorguieva, DANB’s Director, Testing and Measurement.

Whether or not you are currently enrolled in dental assisting classes, anyone can take steps to further their dental assisting knowledge. The DALE Foundation, the official DANB affiliate, offers online review courses and study aids to help you prepare for DANB exams, review chairside assisting topics, brush up on front office knowledge and earn Continuing Dental Education (CDE) credits. The DALE Foundation’s e-learning products are engaging and interactive. You can use the DALE Foundation’s products on your own or as a supplement to classroom or office training.

Even if you’re not in the classroom this year, lifelong learning through a “back-to-school” mindset is something you can embrace throughout your career.

To learn more about DANB’s resources, visit www.danb.org or call 1-800-367-3262. To learn more about the DALE Foundation, visit www.dalefoundation.org or call 1-877-810-3253.