Once you have taken and passed your dental assistant exam with a recognized dental assistant examining body, for instance, the Dental Assisting National Board, you will then be awarded with the necessary practicing certification. This examining body, and some other recognized ones, offer certification to aspirants who have graduated from those training institutions that have been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation or the CODA in short. The certification programs acquaint trainee dental assistant with the basics of dentistry, dental laboratory duties, patient care and responsibilities. Currently, some medical institutions provide a few weeks of on the job training that gives an aspirant trainee an insight into the dental fundamentals and the necessary hands-on training.
Types of dental assistant certificates
In general, there are various types of dental assistant certificates available; however, the most important of them is the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certificate as all medical practitioners in the country recognize it. This, however, does not mean that certificates from other certifying bodies are irrelevant or their certificates unrecognized; they are just not as openly or as widely recognized as the one offered by the DANB.
Know your state requirements!
Basically, each state in America has its own regulations when it comes to occupations in their territories. Each state’s career regulatory body is to keep the services offered to clients beyond reproach, thus ensuring that they are attended to in a proper manner. And because states are independent when it comes to these regulations, each pose varied requirements and controls in regard to occupations within their territories. For example, dental assistants in a particular state might be permitted to perform specific clinical procedures without a license or registration, whilst in another state they could be disallowed.
And depending on what a state requires, such professionals as dental assistants may be required to undertake additional training, after which they will receive the relevant recognized certification for the state. Apart from this, there is no guarantee that your type of certification will be recognized or accepted in another state. Actually, the dentist assistant certificate and credentials depend on the state the assistant would be practicing in. As such, it is recommended that you seek your dentist assistant certification from a nationwide recognized and accepted body, for instance, the Dental Assisting National Board. This certification can be used in more than thirty American states.
Obtaining a Dental Assisting National Board certification reassures prospective employers in the states in which you apply for a position, that you have the needed skills and competency to work there. Furthermore, this certifying board is a non-profit organization, thus their certification offers much credibility and is recognized throughout the country. It is vital to remember the first impression a prospective employer has about you is based on the type of a certification you present them.
Getting your DANB certification
The two main ways of obtaining a DANB certification are as follows; obtain a certified Dental Assistant certificate or acquire a Certified Orthodontic Assistant certificate. Usually, becoming a Certified Dental Assistant is a more recommended way of acquiring the all important DANB certification. However, to be able to obtain the certification, you should sit and pass the board’s exam and satisfy all of its requirements. The qualifying certified dental assistant exam components include radiation health and safety, infection control and general chair-side procedures. You have to pass this exam before you can hope to receive the needed certification.
Dental assistant training and certification is a necessity
Lastly, to get certification you should first join an accredited institution or a recognized medical practice to receive on the job training, then register, sit and pass the examination. Once you join these institutions, you will find different forms of coaching to choose from. Some are traditional full-time programs, whilst others are part-time, and lastly some on the job training. However, all of them lead to one thing, dental assistant certification. When you become certified, you are on your way to becoming a successful professional dental assistant.