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    1. Front Office

    DANB's Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) Certification

    Sept. 21, 2010
    The Dental Assisting National Board is proud to recognize Certified Orthodontic Assistants for National Orthodontic Health Month, which takes place during the month of October.

    The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.’s (DANB) Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) Certification is held by more than 1,400 DANB Certificants nationally. DANB is proud to recognize COAs in this month’s Dental Assisting Digest™ article for National Orthodontic Health Month, which takes place during the month of October. National Orthodontic Health Month is sponsored by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). The AAO supports research and education leading to quality patient care and promotes increased public awareness of the need for and benefits of orthodontic treatment.

    Currently, DANBs exams are recognized or required in 37 states, the District of Columbia, the US Air Force and Veterans Administration. Specifically, DANB’s COA Certification is recognized or required to perform expanded functions in Maryland, New Jersey and Oregon. Visit http://www.danb.org/PDFs/MeasuringExcellence.pdf to view a map of states recognizing or requiring DANB exams.

    Benefits of Certification
    The benefits of DANB Certification are far- reaching, positively impacting not only the dental assistants who maintain Certification, but also their employers and the public. DANB Certificants are dental professionals who enhance the dental team’s competency, efficiency, reputation and credibility. Benefits of DANB Certification include:

    • Personal Pride
    • Lifelong Learning
    • Professional Advantage
    • Recognition
    • Greater Earning Power
    • Career Advancement
    • Enhanced Career Mobility
    • Acknowledgment


    COA Exam Components
    DANB’s COA exam is made up of two component exams:

    • Orthodontic Assisting (OA)
    • Infection Control (ICE)


    Candidates may take the full COA exam all at once or take and pass the component exams separately within a five year period to become DANB Certified. There are no eligibility requirements to take the ICE exam. Candidates receive a Certificate of Competency in Infection Control, after successfully passing the component exam. The Certificate of Competency in Infection Control meets specific state dental assisting requirements for infection control in Iowa, New York and North Dakota.

    Pathway Eligibility
    To take DANB’s COA examination, candidates must be eligible under one of the four pathways:
    Pathway I

    1. Minimum of 3,500 hours work experience as an orthodontic assistant, accrued over a minimum of two years (full time) to a maximum of four years (part time); employment verified by a licensed orthodontist/dentist AND
    2. Current DANB CDA, RDH, or RDA credential AND
    3. Current CPR certificate from a DANB-accepted provider


    Pathway II

    1. High school graduation or equivalent AND
    2. Minimum of 3,500 hours work experience as an orthodontic assistant, accrued over a minimum of two years (full time) to a maximum of four years (part time); employment verified by a licensed orthodontist/dentist AND
    3. Current CPR certificate from a DANB-accepted provider


    Pathway III

    1. Completion of an orthodontic assisting preparation course at a CODA-accredited dental assisting program AND
    2. Current DANB CDA credential AND
    3. Current CPR certificate from a DANB-accepted provider


    Pathway IV

    1. Status as a current or former DANB COA OR Former DANB CDA with work experience in an orthodontic setting OR Graduation from a CODA-accredited DDS or DMD program OR Graduation from a foreign dental degree program AND
    2. Current CPR certificate from a DANB-accepted provider


    To learn more about how to prepare for DANB’s COA exam, visit http://www.danb.org/exams/examreferences.asp.

    Recertification Requirements
    DANB Certification is current for one year. To maintain Certification, DANB Certified Assistants must renew their certification annually. DANB’s Recertification Requirements include mandatory, current DANB-accepted CPR certification, completing at least 12 Continuing Dental Education (CDE) credits and paying an annual renewal fee. To download DANB’s 2010 Recertification Requirements, visit http://www.danb.org/PDFs/RecertBklt.pdf.

    For more information about National Orthodontic Health Month or the AAO, visit www.braces.org.

    For more information about DANB’s COA exam or to download a 2010 COA Candidate Guide, visit www.danb.org or call 1-800-FOR-DANB.