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Latest Press Release:
03/29/12 - The DALE Foundation Seeks Nominees for Board Position

Previous Press Releases:
01/05/12 - DANB Publishes 2012 Application Packets and Recertification Requirements
10/03/11 - DANB Announces 2011-2012 Board Directors and Officers
06/14/11 - DANB’s CDA Exam Offered During the ODA Annual Session
04/19/11 - DANB’s Preventive Duties Certification Now Available
03/25/11 - DANB Publishes 2011 Resources for Dental Assisting Requirements
02/23/11 - DANB Launches Online HR Fundamentals Course
12/29/10 - DANB Renames New Certification Program
12/15/10 - DANB CDAs Earn More, According to Salary Survey
10/14/10 - DANB Recognizes COAs During National Orthodontic Health Month
10/12/10 - DANB Announces 2010-2011 Board Officers and New Directors
09/28/10 - DANB Releases New RHS Review Course
07/14/10 - Special Administration of DANB’s CDA Exam at ODA Annual Session
07/01/10 - The DALE Foundation Announces Its Board of Trustees
06/03/10 - DANB Resources for Dental Assisting Requirements
05/05/10 - DANB Offers RHS/ICE Combination Exam
04/07/10 - DANB Debuts at MDAA Annual Session
03/31/10 - DANB to Offer Special RHS Exam Administration at MDA Annual Meeting
03/24/10 - DANB Seeks Nominations to the DALE Foundation's Board of Trustees
01/08/10 - DANB Releases E-Learning Courses
12/30/09 - DANB COO Inducted as NCCA Commissioner
06/18/09 - DANB's RHS Exam Now Required in Pennsylvania
06/16/09 - DANB to Administer CDA Exam at ODA Annual Session
04/08/09 - New DANB-approved CPR Guidelines
03/20/09 - Air Force Dental Assistants Take DANB's ICE Exam
12/23/08 - DANB Executive Director Durley Wins NOCA Service Award
10/16/08 - Salaries Continue to Rise for DANB Certified Dental Assistants
05/07/08 - DANB's CDPMA Exam to be Discontinued
04/23/08 - DANB's 2008 State Publications Now Available
06/29/06 - Dental Assistants Support National Model for Service
06/07/06 - DANB Publishes Career Ladder Templates for Dental Assistants
02/21/06 - Two New DANB-Administered State Exams Launched in 2006
10/12/05 - ADAA/DANB Alliance Publishes Position Paper on National Model for Dental Assisting
09/28/05 - Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. Elects New Board Members





The DALE Foundation Seeks Nominees for Board Position



For Immediate Release
Contact: Cindy Durley
1-877-510-3253, ext. 228
cdurley@dalefoundation.org

The DALE Foundation Seeks Nominees for Board Position

CHICAGO (March 27, 2012) – The Dental Auxiliary Learning and Education Foundation (the DALE Foundation) is seeking nominations for an open position on its Board of Trustees. The DALE Foundation is seeking a Trustee to join its Board with expertise in as many of these areas as possible:

  • Research
  • Education (dental, dental hygiene, dental assisting)
  • E-learning
  • Employer (dentist)
  • Employment (dental office manager)
  • Public health
  • Corporate interests

The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) established the DALE Foundation in March 2010 as a separately incorporated, independently governed nonprofit organization. The DALE Foundation, the official DANB affiliate, benefits the public by providing quality supplemental education and conducting sound research to promote oral health.

Please consider nominating yourself or another qualified individual for the DALE Foundation’s Board of Trustees. Complete nominations must be postmarked or received by email or fax by May 15, 2012.

Nominations must include the following:

  • Letter of interest from the individual being nominated (or self-nominated)
  • Current resume/curriculum vitae
  • A letter of recommendation from an employer, supervisor or co-worker, or from someone who has served with the nominee on a committee or board of a state or national oral healthcare organization
  • Written response to interview questions (interview questions will be provided to all nominees who meet the May 15 deadline)

Submit nominations and self-nominations to:

Cynthia C. Durley, M.Ed., MBA
Executive Director
The DALE Foundation
444 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 970
Chicago, IL 60611
Fax: 312-642-1475
Email:cdurley@dalefoundation.org

The DALE Foundation’s Nominating Committee may also choose to follow up with nominees by phone. DANB’s Board of Directors will review the recommendations of the Nominating Committee and will hold elections in May. All nominees will be contacted with the results of the election by June 15, 2012.

Information about the DALE Foundation Board of Trustees

Trustees on the DALE Foundation’s Board are elected to serve for a maximum of two three-year terms. The final term may be extended if the Trustee is elected as President-Elect. The DALE Foundation Board of Trustees is a governing board and a working board. The Board of Trustees conducts one- to two-day meetings in person at least twice per year, meeting just before DANB’s winter (February) and annual (August) Board of Directors meetings. The DALE Foundation Board of Trustees also meets by conference call or webinar on an as-needed basis. Trustees are provided with professional development opportunities and an IT allowance; they are also reimbursed for all travel and hotel expenses associated with attending a Board meeting and receive a $75 per diem (as described in the DALE Foundation’s Travel Policy).

Upcoming meetings for the Board of Trustees:

New Trustee Orientation: July 2012 (specific date TBD); Chicago, IL
Annual Board Meeting: August 9, 2012; Chicago, IL

For more information, including Board of Trustees’ responsibilities, visit the DALE Foundation website, or contact Cindy Durley at cdurley@dalefoundation.org

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DANB Publishes 2012 Application Packets and Recertification Requirements



For Immediate Release
Contact: Hanna Aronovich
1-800-FOR-DANB, ext. 417
communications@danb.org

DANB Publishes 2012 Application Packets and Recertification Requirements

CHICAGO (January 5, 2012) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) has published the 2012 editions of its exam application packets and Recertification Requirements.

DANB’s 2012 exam application packets are more user-friendly, with a new look to help easily identify the packet you need. Additionally, the packets are easier to navigate and more environmentally friendly, with 14 percent fewer pages.

Currently, DANB offers three national certifications:
• Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)
• Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA)
• Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant (CPFDA)

Visit the DANB Exams page to learn more about DANB certification and to download the application.

If you’re looking for materials to review for DANB exams, the DALE Foundation, the official DANB affiliate, offers a variety of e-learning courses and study aids. You can select from review courses, such as the DANB RHS Review and the DANB ICE Review. Or, choose a study aid, like the Glossary of Dental Terms or the DANB RHS Practice Test.

Later this month, the DALE Foundation will offer two new products to round out its offerings: the DANB GC Review Part I and the DANB ICE Practice Test. To learn more about these review materials or the DALE Foundation, visit www.dalefoundation.org.

When economic times are tough, arming yourself with professional certification and dental assisting knowledge is a winning career move. If you already hold DANB certification, be sure that you renew by earning Continuing Dental Education (CDE) credits and maintaining current CPR certification.

DANB’s 2012 Recertification Requirements feature streamlined CDE categories to make certification renewal a simpler process.

You can earn CDE credits from a variety of sources, including attending hands-on seminars, participating in workshops, reading clinical materials and volunteering. “There’s so much to learn in the dental field — it’s constantly changing,” says Michelle Ashley, CDA, CPFDA, RDH, B.H.S. “That’s why it’s so important to stay current with your certification and continuing education.”

The DALE Foundation’s courses are another great resource for earning CDE. The DANB RHS Review and the DANB ICE Review are each worth 12 CDE credits upon successful completion. You can also earn CDE in office management topics by completing the DALE Foundation’s Accounts Receivable for the Dental Office course and HR Fundamentals for the Dental Office course.

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About DANB
DANB is recognized by the American Dental Association as the national certification board for dental assistants. DANB’s mission is to promote the public good by providing credentialing services to the dental community. For those dental assistants who meet the eligibility and exam requirements, DANB Certification may be earned in the areas of Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA), or Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant (CPFDA). In addition to these national certifications, DANB offers certificates of competency in Radiation Health and Safety (RHS), Infection Control (ICE), Coronal Polish (CP), Sealants (SE), Topical Anesthetic (TA), and Topical Fluoride (TF). DANB's CDA and COA certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. Currently, there are more than 34,000 DANB Certificants nationwide, and DANB certifications and certificates of competency are recognized by or required by 38 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Air Force and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Passing DANB’s exams demonstrates a dental assistant's competency in areas that are important to the health and safety of oral healthcare workers and patients alike.

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DANB Announces 2011-2012 Board Directors and Officers



For Immediate Release
Contact: Hanna Aronovich
1-800-FOR-DANB, ext. 417
communications@danb.org

DANB Announces 2011-2012 Board Directors and Officers

CHICAGO (Oct. 3, 2011) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) has elected its 2011-2012 Board of Directors:

  • Chair — Frank Maggio, D.D.S.
  • Vice Chair — Carol Oeder, CDA, COA, CPDA, CDPMA, FADAA, LPN
  • Secretary — Mary Harrison, CDA, EFDA, EFODA, FADAA
  • Patricia Capps, CDA, RDH, M.S.
  • Joanne Dawley, D.D.S.
  • Linda Golodner, B.A.
  • Karen Minca, CDPMA
Dr. Maggio, the newly elected Board Chair, has served on DANB’s Board since September 2010. Dr. Maggio is serving the first of a possible two three-year terms. He was elected by DANB's Board from a slate of qualified nominees provided by the American Dental Association (ADA). “I look forward to serving this year as the Chair of DANB’s Board of Directors,” Dr. Maggio said. “This year will be full of exciting projects, and I am excited to work with the other DANB Board Directors and staff to bring them to fruition.”

Ms. Oeder has been elected to serve a second year as Board Vice Chair. She was elected by DANB Certificants as the Certificant-at-Large in 2009, and is serving her first of a possible two three-year terms. Ms. Oeder is currently a Compliance Specialist at Dental Associates Ltd., where she has been employed for more than eight years.

Ms. Harrison, the newly elected Secretary, was elected to DANB’s Board in September 2010 and is fulfilling the first of a possible two three-year terms. She was elected by DANB’s Board from a slate of qualified nominees provided by the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA). Ms. Harrison currently works as a clinical chairside dental assistant.

In addition to its new officers, DANB’s Board welcomes Ms. Capps, Dr. Dawley and Ms. Golodner as its newest directors.

Ms. Capps was elected by DANB’s Board from a slate of qualified nominees provided by the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). She is currently the Director of Distance Learning for the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)-accredited dental assisting program at the University of Indiana School of Dentistry.

Dr. Dawley is a practicing dentist who was elected by DANB’s Board from a slate of qualified nominees provided by the ADA. She has been an ADA member for nearly 25 years. She is also a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, the National Dental Association and the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics.

Ms. Golodner was elected as the Public Member on DANB’s Board. She is currently the Principal of Consumer Initiatives, advising nonprofit, government and for-profit groups on consumer healthcare, corporate social responsibility and product safety.

Ms. Minca continues to serve on DANB’s Board. She was elected by DANB’s Board in 2006 from a slate of qualified nominees provided by the ADAA, and is serving the second of two possible three-year terms.

About DANB’s Board of Directors
DANB’s Board is composed of nine directors: two from the ADA, one from the American Association of Dental Boards (AADB), one from ADEA, three from the ADAA, one DANB Certificant-at-Large and one public nominee. DANB currently has two open positions on its Board: the third nominee from the ADAA and the nominee from the AADB. DANB’s Board is currently considering candidates and will announce the new directors after they are elected.

For more information, visit www.danb.org or call 1-800-367-3262.

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DANB’s CDA Exam Offered During the ODA Annual Session



For Immediate Release
Contact: Hanna Aronovich
1-800-FOR-DANB, ext. 417
communications@danb.org

DANB’s CDA Exam Offered During the ODA Annual Session

CHICAGO (June 14, 2011) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) is offering its Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam during the Ohio Dental Association (ODA) Annual Session, which is held Sept. 15-18, 2011.

This year, DANB’s CDA exam will be administered on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011. Complete applications, including exam fee and required exam eligibility documentation, must be postmarked or faxed to DANB by Aug. 31, 2011.

Download the CDA Exam Application Packet.

Dental assistants who are interested in taking DANB’s CDA exam on Sept. 17 during the ODA Annual Session can download the CDA exam application from DANB’s website at www.danb.org/PDFs/ODA.pdf.

DANB exams are recognized or required in 38 states and the District of Columbia. In Ohio, DANB’s CDA exam meets state requirements to expose radiographs and is often a requirement to enroll in Ohio State Dental Board (OSDB)-approved expanded functions courses. DANB CDAs are also qualified to enroll in OSDB-approved coronal polishing and pit and fissure sealant courses. For the complete dental assisting requirements in Ohio, visit the State-Specific Information section of DANB’s website.

Although DANB exams are offered across the country year-round, the ODA Annual Session is a great time for dental assistants in Ohio to take DANB’s CDA exam.

Lori Lukachinsky, CDA, took DANB’s CDA exam at last year’s ODA Annual Session. Lukachinsky earned DANB Certification as a prerequisite to earning Ohio's coronal polish certificate. “Our staff was attending the ODA meeting to take classes, so I decided it would be the perfect place to take the DANB exam,” she explains. “When I found out that I passed, my knees just about buckled. I was so happy; I called everyone I could think of to tell.”

The ODA will offer a review course on Ohio certification for dental assistants. The course, titled “Certifications for Dental Assistants in Ohio,” is taught by Paula Oliver, CDA, CDPMA, CODA, and will be offered this year on Thursday, Sept. 15. While candidates may find this course helpful, DANB does not require or endorse any particular review course. Dental assistants who attend the ODA Annual Session can register for the course at www.oda.org.

“The collaboration between DANB and the ODA has brought tremendous benefits to both organizations, as well as to Ohio dental assistants and dentists,” DANB Executive Director Cindy Durley, M.Ed., MBA says. “By supporting DANB Certification, members of the ODA are working to ensure that their assistants meet national dental assisting competency standards, and demonstrate their commitment to lifelong learning.”

DANB will also be exhibiting at the ODA Annual Session. Dental assistants who have questions or want to pick up information on dental assisting certification can visit DANB at booth 824.

For more information, visit www.danb.org or call 1-800-367-3262.

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DANB’s Preventive Duties Certification Now Available



For Immediate Release
Contact: Hanna Aronovich
1-800-FOR-DANB, ext. 417
communications@danb.org

DANB’s Preventive Duties Certification Now Available

CHICAGO (April 19, 2011) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) has introduced a new national certification exam program, the Certified Preventive Dental Assistant (CPDA). DANB’s CPDA certification is made up of four component exams: Coronal Polish (CP), Sealants (SE), Topical Anesthetic (TA), and Topical Fluoride (TF).

There are no prerequisites to take the individual CP, SE, TA, and TF component exams. However, candidates seeking CPDA Certification must apply through one of four eligibility pathways. Please see the CPDA Application Packet for complete eligibility requirements. Download DANB’s CPDA Application Packet

This is an exciting time for dental assistants, and many states are expanding the duties that assistants are allowed to perform. Currently, the dental practice acts in 35 states allow or do not prohibit dental assistants to perform all four of the CPDA functions. In total, 43 dental practice acts allow dental assistants to perform coronal polishing procedures, 38 allow dental assistants to apply sealants, 45 allow dental assistants to apply topical fluoride, and 49 allow dental assistants to apply topical anesthetic.

Visit the "State-Specific Information” section of DANB’s website to learn which states’ dental practice acts and/or administrative rules allow dental assistants to perform these functions – and whether there are state-specific qualifications. Although each state sets its own requirements to perform preventive duties, DANB is proud to be able to offer an objective, reliable and valid exam to measure knowledge-based competency in coronal polish, sealants, topical anesthetic and topical fluoride, to assist state dental boards in meeting their public protection missions.

DANB has been testing and certifying dental assistants for more than 60 years. Recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA) as the national certification board for dental assistants, DANB annually tests about 20,000 dental auxiliaries – with more than 33,000 DANB Certificants nationwide. 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 addition to the CPDA Certification, DANB offers the CDA and Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) national certifications. Covering the important duties that dental assistants perform every day, DANB’s CDA exam includes exams on General Chairside (GC), Radiation Health and Safety (RHS), and Infection Control (ICE). DANB’s COA exam covers Orthodontic Assisting (OA) and ICE.

There are numerous benefits to passing DANB exams and working toward Certification, including personal pride, professional status, greater earning power, recognition within the dental community, career advancement, and increased career mobility. To learn more about DANB Certification, or to download an exam application packet, visit www.danb.org.

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DANB Publishes 2011 Resources for Dental Assisting Requirements



For Immediate Release
Contact: Hanna Aronovich
1-800-FOR-DANB, ext. 417
mediarelations@danb.org

DANB Publishes 2011 Resources for Dental Assisting Requirements

CHICAGO (March 25, 2011) - The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) offers two publications that feature the most up-to-date dental assisting requirements. DANB’s 2011 State Career Ladder Templates for Dental Assistants and DANB’s 2011 State Fact Booklet are both must-have resources for dental assistants, educators, state legislators, oral healthcare organizations and state dental boards.

Download the order form.

DANB’s 2011 State Career Ladder Templates for Dental Assistants features easy-to-use charts with information on each state's rules and regulations for dental assistants. Each state chart highlights job designations for dental assistants; education, exam and training requirements; allowable functions; non-delegable functions; and levels of supervision required in each state. This information is particularly useful for dental assistants interested in relocating, educators answering questions about state regulations, dental offices needing helpful printouts, and legislators or state dental boards comparing state regulations.

DANB’s 2011 State Fact Booklet provides a synopsis of current state requirements and excerpts from state dental practice acts related specifically to the dental assistant. It also includes state board of dentistry contact information, DANB exams accepted or required in each state, the number of assistants holding DANB Certification or other DANB certificates in each state, comparative salary information, general information on expanded functions and radiography requirements, state-specific anesthesia and sedation regulations, and a list of Commission on Dental Accreditation-accredited dental assisting programs.

“DANB’s state publications are a great tool for dental professionals to stay up-to-date on dental assisting regulations and requirements in their state,” said DANB Executive Director Cindy Durley, M.Ed., MBA.

Information from both state publications can be found on DANB’s website in the State-Specific Information section.
Visit DANB’s State-Specific Information page.

To place an order for the publications, download the order form or call 1-800-367-3262.

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DANB Launches Online HR Fundamentals Course



For Immediate Release
Contact: Hanna Aronovich
1-800-FOR-DANB, ext. 417
mediarelations@danb.org

DANB Launches Online HR Fundamentals Course

CHICAGO (Feb. 23, 2011) - The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) has released a new online professional development course covering human resources for general and specialty dental practices. DANB’s Assessment-Based Certificate Program (ABCP): HR Fundamentals is an interactive e-learning course designed for dental office managers, dental assistants, receptionists and hygienists. Dentists with varying degrees of knowledge in human resources of the dental office may also benefit from taking this course.

DANB’s ABCP: HR Fundamentals can be purchased at www.danb.org/learning. The course costs $100, and learners who successfully complete the post-course assessment are able to print a certificate of completion and earn 6 DANB Continuing Dental Education (CDE) credits.

The course covers topics such as planning for current and future staff, and analyzing staffing needs as they relate to office structure and developing clear job descriptions. Other important subjects include identifying legal human resources issues, recognizing components in the interviewing and hiring process, identifying elements of employee benefit and compensation plans, and more. Learners will be able to apply these concepts and obtain resources to use in their dental practices.

“Human resources management is a critical component to running a successful dental practice,” notes Kathy Stack, Assistant Director, Education. “Proper human resources management can increase a dental practice’s bottom line, as well as improve overall patient care. We are pleased to deliver this important online course for the dental team.”

For members of the American Association of Dental Office Managers (AADOM), DANB’s ABCPs will also meet some of the requirements for fellowship in AADOM. Interested dental office managers can learn more about AADOM membership and Fellowship in AADOM by visiting www.dentalmanagers.com/danbrequirements.

DANB’s ABCP: HR Fundamentals is DANB’s fourth online course. DANB’s Conventional Dental Radiography Review Course and DANB’s ABCP: Accounts Receivable launched in January 2010, and DANB’s RHS Review Course debuted in September 2010. All of DANB’s online courses can be purchased at www.danb.org/learning.

In spring 2011, DANB’s e-learning courses will be rebranded and launched through the Dental Auxiliary Learning and Education Foundation (The DALE Foundation). The DALE Foundation was incorporated in March 2010, as a DANB-affiliated, but separately incorporated nonprofit foundation. The DALE Foundation was formed to benefit the public by providing quality education and conducting sound research to promote oral health.

For more information about DANB, visit www.danb.org.

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DANB Renames New Certification Program



For Immediate Release
Contact: Cindy Durley
1-800-FOR-DANB, ext. 428
cdurley@danb.org

DANB Renames New Certification Program

CHICAGO (Dec. 29, 2010) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) has renamed its new expanded functions certification program. The new Certified Preventive Dental Assistant (CPDA) certification program includes component exams on Coronal Polish (CP), Sealants (SE), Topical Fluoride (TF) and Topical Anesthetic (TA). The certification program was pretested under the name Certified Oral Preventive Assistant (COPA). The CPDA component exams, eligibility requirements and renewal requirements do not differ from the certification that was originally developed under the name COPA.

DANB originally developed the COPA certification in support of the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Oral Preventive Assistant (OPA) workforce model, which the ADA’s House of Delegates approved in October 2006. However, it came to DANB’s attention that the certification exam was not in complete alignment with ADA’s OPA workforce model. DANB selected the CPDA certification mark to allow for more flexibility in the future.

The dental practice acts in 32 states allow or do not prohibit dental assistants to perform all four of the CPDA functions. These duties are considered expanded functions in most states. Additionally, dental assistants are allowed to:

  • Perform coronal polishing procedures in 42 states
  • Apply topical fluoride in 40 states
  • Apply sealants in 32 states
  • Apply topical anesthetic in 41 states

“DANB shares state dental boards’ public protection mission, and believes there is a great need for these exams. Already, DANB has received a positive response from some dental assistants, dentists and some members of the dental community regarding our plans for this new certification program addressing preventive duties to enhance oral health,” explains DANB Executive Director Cindy Durley, M.Ed., MBA. “Because of this interest, DANB opted to select a certification mark name that allows for flexibility to measure functions desired or performed in the oral healthcare arena that might not be reflected in a specific workforce model or curriculum.”

DANB conducted pretesting of qualified candidates for the CPDA certification exam, which includes all four component exams, from July 2010 through December 2010. DANB solicited current DANB CDAs who work in states where all four CPDA functions may be legally delegated to dental assistants, to participate in the pretest at no charge. All pretest candidates were required to meet eligibility requirements (various combinations of DANB Certification, graduation from a Commission on Dental Accreditation-accredited dental assisting or dental hygiene program, and documentation of knowledge- or perfomance-based competency in the four preventive functions assessed by the CDPA certification program). Pretesting ended in December 2010, and the new CPDA certification exam program will be available to all qualified dental assistants beginning April 2011.

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DANB CDAs Earn More, According to Salary Survey



For Immediate Release
Contact: Hanna Aronovich
1-800-FOR-DANB, ext. 417
mediarelations@danb.org

DANB CDAs Earn More, According to Salary Survey

CHICAGO (Dec. 15, 2010) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) has just published the results of its biennial salary survey. DANB’s 2010 Salary Survey shows that DANB Certified Dental Assistants (CDA) continue to earn more and stay in the profession longer than non-certified assistants. DANB’s results are based on a 17 percent response rate to its survey of a national sample of CDAs. DANB targeted a 10 percent response rate to be able to generalize results to the full CDA population.

According to the survey, DANB CDAs who work full-time (73 percent) report a median salary of $18.73 per hour, which is up $0.73 from 2008. The median salary for full- and part-time DANB CDAs is $18.50 – $2.04 higher than non-certified assistants, who earn $16.46 per hour, according to adjusted figures from a May 2009 Bureau of Labor Statistics survey.

“I believe DANB Certification has everything to do with my wage,” according to one respondent, who notes she went from making $15 to $19 within the last year. “I believe with the confidence in my knowledge and abilities that I gained from being DANB Certified, I always worked a little harder, pushed a little further, and feel very successful.”

Many DANB Certificants share the results of the salary survey with their employers when asking for a raise. “Thanks to your survey I was able to show it to my dentist and get the recognition I deserved,” one DANB CDA said.

DANB CDAs tend to stay in the profession longer and have more loyalty toward their employers. According to DANB’s 2010 Salary Survey, DANB CDAs have been in their current positions for an average of 8.7 years and in the profession an average of 15.7 years. DANB CDAs increase office efficiency and often take on additional responsibilities such as infection control; laboratory functions; expanded duties, as allowed in their respective states; and providing in-office training to other staff.

DANB Certificants receive benefits such as 401(k)/pension plan (61 percent), free dental care (56 percent), health insurance (54 percent), reimbursement for CDE (52 percent) and reimbursement for certification or state registration renewal (30 percent).

Beyond higher pay, DANB CDAs cited personal benefits to maintaining DANB Certification, including self-gratification (87 percent), pride (78 percent), employer recognition (55 percent), elevating the profession (48 percent), patient respect for credentials (45 percent) and recognition in the dental community (41 percent).

In addition, many DANB Certificants strongly believe in the important role DANB Certification plays in patient safety and public protection. “I would like to see more state dental boards require DANB Certification to practice as a dental assistant in the state in which they live,” one CDA notes.

Although each state has different requirements for dental assistants, earning and maintaining DANB Certification demonstrates a commitment to lifelong learning, and is an objective measure of dental assisting knowledge and abilities. There are DANB Certificants in every state, with more than 33,000 DANB Certificants nationwide.

View more results from DANB’s 2010 Salary Survey.

*The median is defined as the point at which 50 percent of the data fall above and 50 percent fall below.

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DANB Recognizes COAs During National Orthodontic Health Month



For Immediate Release
Contact: Hanna Aronovich
1-800-FOR-DANB x417
haronovich@danb.org

DANB Recognizes COAs During National Orthodontic Health Month

CHICAGO (October 14, 2010) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) is proud to recognize its nearly 1,400 Certified Orthodontic Assistants (COAs), in honor of National Orthodontic Health Month. DANB Certificants are dental professionals who enhance the dental team’s competency, efficiency, reputation and credibility. The benefits of DANB Certification include:

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

DANBs exams are recognized or required in 38 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Air Force and Veterans Administration. Specifically, DANB’s COA Certification is recognized or required to perform expanded functions in Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Oregon.

DANB’s COA exam is made up of two component exams: Orthodontic Assisting (OA) and 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 Infection Control (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. Learn more about DANB's COA exam.

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.

National Orthodontic Health Month takes place during the month of October and 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. Learn more about National Orthodontic Health Month and the AAO.

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DANB Announces 2010-2011 Board Officers and New Directors



For Immediate Release
Contact: Hanna Aronovich
1-800-FOR-DANB x417
haronovich@danb.org

DANB Announces 2010-2011 Board Officers and New Directors

CHICAGO (October 12, 2010) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) is pleased to announce the 2010-2011 Board of Directors:

  • Chair – Richard Hunt III, D.D.S.
  • Vice Chair – Carol Oeder, CDA, COA, CDPMA, FADAA, LPN
  • Secretary – Karen Minca, CDPMA
  • Bruce Barrette, D.D.S.
  • Carolyn Breen, CDA, RDA, RDH, Ed.D.
  • Marlene Futterman, M.A.
  • Mary Harrison, CDA, EFDA, EFODA, FADAA
  • Donna Kotyk, CDA, RDH, M.A.
  • Frank Maggio, D.D.S.
Dr. Hunt is the newly elected Board Chair, and has served on DANB’s Board since 2005. He began his second three-year term in August 2008, and is one of two nominees from the American Dental Association who was considered for election to the DANB Board of Directors that year. Dr. Hunt is a general dentist in Rocky Mount, N.C., where he shares a practice with his wife, Dr. Amy Hunt. The Hunts employ three DANB Certified Dental Assistants.

“I look forward to serving this year as the Chair of DANB's Board of Directors,” Dr. Hunt said. “This year promises to be busy with many exciting initiatives, but I am certain that DANB will continue to maintain the highest levels of excellence in every pursuit.”

Ms. Oeder is the newly elected Board Vice Chair. She was nominated by DANB Certified Assistants to DANB’s Board in 2009, and is serving her first of a possible two three-year terms as Certificant-at-Large. Ms. Oeder is currently a Compliance Specialist at Dental Associates Ltd., where she has been employed for nearly eight years.

Ms. Harrison began the first of a possible two three-year terms on September 1. She was elected by DANB's Board of Directors from a slate of qualified nominees provided by the American Dental Assistants Association. Ms. Harrison currently works as a clinical chairside dental assistant. She has been a DANB Certified Dental Assistant since 1967, and is also an Oregon Expanded Function Dental Assistant and Oregon Expanded Function Orthodontic Assistant. She is a graduate of Salem Technical Vocational College.

Dr. Maggio also began the first of a possible two three-year terms on September 1. He was elected by DANB's Board of Directors from a slate of qualified nominees provided by the American Dental Association (ADA). As a member of the ADA since 1971, Dr. Maggio has served on numerous committees, councils and task forces. He was Chairman of the Council on Dental Education and Licensure and also served as the ADA Trustee from Illinois. He has also been President of the Illinois Dental Society, McHenry County Dental Society, and Fox River Valley Dental Society, of which he is currently a member of the Board.

DANB Board Directors Howard C. Bell, D.D.S., and Carla Schneider, CDA, RDA, concluded their final terms of service on DANB’s Board of Directors at the end of the August 2010 meeting. “DANB thanks these dental professionals for their many years of service to DANB, to dental assistants, and to the advancement of oral health,” says Executive Director Cindy Durley.

Election to DANB’s nine-member Board of Directors takes place by the current DANB Board, after receipt of nominations of slates of at least two qualified candidates per DANB Board vacancy, from these four dental membership organizations: the American Dental Association (2 directors), the American Association of Dental Boards (1), the American Dental Education Association (1), and the American Dental Assistants Association (3). The remaining two DANB Board Directors are represented by DANB Certificants-At-Large (1, voted on by DANB Certificants), and the public (1, elected by DANB’s Board of Directors from nominations received by DANB’s Nominating Committee).

For more information on all DANB Board Directors, visit DANB's Board of Directors page. To read the Major Board Actions taken at DANB’s Winter and Annual Meetings, visit DANB's Major Board Actions page.

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DANB Releases New RHS Review Course



For Immediate Release
Contact: Hanna Aronovich
1-800-FOR-DANB x417
haronovich@danb.org

DANB Releases New RHS Review Course

CHICAGO (September 28, 2010) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) is proud to announce the release of its most recent e-learning program: DANB’s Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) Review Course.

DANB’s RHS Review Course can be accessed at www.danb.org/learning. Learners earn 12 DANB CDE credits for successful completion of the course. The estimated seat time to proceed once through the course is 12 hours. The cost of the course is $75.00.

DANB’s RHS Review Course was developed for dental assistants with varying degrees of dental radiography knowledge. The review course covers both conventional and digital dental radiation health and safety, basic anatomical landmarks, radiation biology and safety issues, elements of radiographic exposure equipment, errors encountered during radiographic exposure, radiographic labeling, and infection control techniques. Learners have access to DANB’s RHS Review Course for 90 days after purchase, allowing them to revisit topics and take notes before completing the post-course assessment.

“DANB is excited to provide additional e-learning courses to dental assistants, dental office managers and dental professionals,” says Executive Director Cindy Durley, M.Ed., MBA. “DANB’s RHS Review Course can be one of the tools used to prepare for the RHS component of the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam, or as CDE to meet DANB's Recertification Requirements.”

In January 2010, DANB launched its first two e-learning courses: DANB’s Conventional Dental Radiography Review Course and DANB’s Assessment-Based Certificate Program (ABCP): Accounts Receivable. Learners earn 4 DANB CDE credits for successful completion of each course. DANB’s Conventional Dental Radiography Review Course costs $30.00 and DANB’s Assessment-Based Certificate Program (ABCP): Accounts Receivable costs $50.00. To access these e-learning courses, visit www.danb.org/learning.

In spring 2011, DANB’s e-learning courses will be rebranded and launched through the Dental Auxiliary Learning and Education (DALE) Foundation. The DALE Foundation was incorporated in March 2010, as a DANB-affiliated, but separately incorporated nonprofit foundation. The DALE Foundation was formed to benefit the public by providing quality education and conducting sound research to promote oral health.

For more information about DANB and the DALE Foundation, visit www.danb.org or call 1-800-FOR-DANB.

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Special Administration of DANB’s CDA Exam at ODA Annual Session



For Immediate Release
Contact: Hanna Aronovich
1-800-FOR-DANB x417
haronovich@danb.org

Special Administration of DANB’s CDA Exam at ODA Annual Session

CHICAGO (July 14, 2010) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) is proud to offer a special administration of DANB’s Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam at the Ohio Dental Association (ODA) Annual Session. This year, DANB’s CDA exam will be administered on September 25, 2010. Complete applications, including exam fee and all required exam eligibility documentation, must be postmarked or faxed to DANB no later than August 31, 2010 to be considered for this special exam administration.

Dental assistants who are interested in taking DANB’s CDA exam on September 25 during the ODA Annual Session may obtain the ODA CDA exam application by calling 1-800-FOR-DANB or downloading one from DANB’s website.
Download the CDA Candidate Guide for the ODA Annual Session

DANB is recognized by the American Dental Association as the national certification board for dental assistants. The Ohio State Dental Board (OSDB) recognizes DANB exams as meeting state requirements for Ohio dental assistants. DANB CDAs are qualified to expose radiographs, after also applying to the OSDB for certification as a Dental Assistant Radiographer. Additionally, current DANB CDAs are qualified to enroll in OSDB-approved coronal polishing or pit and fissure sealant courses, meeting partial requirements to perform these functions in Ohio. Earning and maintaining DANB CDA Certification is one way for dental assistants to meet state requirements to move up the career ladder.

Dental assistants who attend the ODA Annual Session benefit from the opportunity to attend a refresher course on Ohio certification the day before the CDA exam administration. The course, “CDA Test Review and Descriptions,” is taught by Paula Oliver, CDA, COPMA, CODA, and will be held on Friday, September 24. While candidates may find this course to be helpful, DANB does not require or endorse any particular review course. Dental assistants may register for the course (course code F28), and for the ODA Annual Session, by visiting www.oda.org.
Learn more or register for the ODA Annual Session.

DANB will be exhibiting at the ODA annual meeting, so a DANB staff member will be available to answer any questions about DANB and dental assisting certification throughout the meeting. For more information on how to apply for the special administration of the DANB CDA exam at the ODA Annual Session, visit www.danb.org or call 1-800-FOR-DANB.

DANB held the first administration of the CDA exam at the ODA Annual Session three years ago, and tested two candidates. In 2008, nine candidates tested, and last year, an all-time high of 12 candidates tested. Because of increasing demand, DANB and the ODA have agreed again this year to reserve 20 spots to test at a local Pearson VUE computerized testing center. DANB hopes to see a continued increase in candidates who take advantage of this special opportunity.

“The collaboration between DANB and the ODA has brought tremendous benefits to both organizations, as well as to Ohio dental assistants and dentists,” DANB Executive Director Cindy Durley, MEd, MBA says. “By supporting DANB Certification, members of the ODA are working to ensure that their assistants meet national dental assisting competency standards, and demonstrate their commitment to lifelong learning.”

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The DALE Foundation Announces Board of Trustees



For Immediate Release
Contact: Hanna Aronovich
1-800-FOR-DANB x417
haronovich@danb.org

The DALE Foundation Announces Its Board of Trustees

CHICAGO (July 1, 2010) - The Dental Auxiliary Learning and Education (DALE) Foundation is proud to announce the newly elected Board of Trustees. In addition to ex officio members Howard C. Bell, DDS; Brenda Fell, CDA, CDPMA; and Carla Schneider, CDA, RDA, the newly elected DALE Foundation Board of Trustees includes:

  • Darci Barr, CDA, EFDA, BS – Ms. Barr is an educator in an international business college in Indiana, with prior experience as an educator at a CODA-accredited dental assisting program. She also has experience in writing and e-learning design.

  • Anita Craig, MS – Ms. Craig works in higher education administration and serves as the Director of Education and Membership Development for the American Association of Orthodontists, located in Missouri.

  • Teresa Duncan, MS – Ms. Duncan is President of Odyssey Management, a dental practice management consulting firm in Virginia, and a lifetime member of the American Association of Dental Office Managers.

  • Steven Fink, DMD – A former practicing dentist, Dr. Fink is now the director of a CODA-accredited dental assisting program in New Jersey. He is the Immediate Past President of the New Jersey Dental Association, and works as a dental consultant with experience developing e-learning programs.

  • Lori Gagliardi, CDA, RDA, RDH, EdD – Dr. Gagliardi has a background in organizational leadership and is currently the director of a CODA-accredited dental assisting program in California. She is also a member of the Dental Assisting Review Committee, a CODA advisory committee.

  • Virginia Jorgensen, CDA, EFDA, EFODA, AAS – Ms. Jorgensen is an educator in a CODA-accredited dental assisting program in Oregon.
“Each Trustee brings extensive experience and expertise to the DALE Foundation Board,” said Liz Koch, MPH, MEd, Chief Operating Officer to DANB and the DALE Foundation. “I look forward to working closely with the Trustees to meet the mission of the DALE Foundation.”

DANB established the DALE Foundation as a separately incorporated, but affiliated nonprofit foundation. The DALE Foundation’s mission is to benefit the public by providing quality education and conducting sound research to promote oral health. In its call for nominations for the DALE Foundation Board of Trustees, DANB received nominations from 26 highly qualified dental assistants, dental hygienists, dentists, educators, and oral healthcare consultants.

“DANB’s Board of Directors faced a very difficult task in reviewing the nominees,” said DANB Executive Director Cindy Durley, MEd, MBA.”It was evident that all nominees took this process very seriously. The quality of candidates was unsurpassed.”

In March, after the DALE Foundation filed its articles of incorporation, DANB distributed a call for nominations for the DALE Foundation’s founding Board of Trustees to various individuals and members of DANB’s communities of interest. The DALE Foundation sought candidates with experience in as many of these areas as possible: research, education (dental, dental hygiene, dental assisting), e-learning, employer (dentist), employment (dental office manager), public health, and/or corporate interests.

To have been considered, interested candidates were required to submit a letter of interest; a resume or curriculum vita; a letter of recommendation from an employer, supervisor, or co-worker; or from someone who has served with the nominee on a committee or board of a state or national oral healthcare organization; and written responses to interview questions. The call for nominations closed on April 30. The DALE Foundation Board of Trustees will participate in orientation activities July 15-16, and will hold its first meeting on August 12.

For more information on the DALE Foundation Board of Trustees, please see the article DANB’s Fall issue of Certified Press, which will be published in September and available for download at www.danb.org.

*Note: This press release was updated September 2010 to reflect the current mission and full name of the DALE Foundation, as voted on at the August 12, 2010 meeting.

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DANB Resources for Dental Assisting Requirements



For Immediate Release
Contact: Hanna Aronovich
1-800-FOR-DANB x417
haronovich@danb.org

DANB Resources for Dental Assisting Requirements

CHICAGO (June 3, 2010) - The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) offers two publications that feature the most-up-to-date dental assisting requirements. DANB’s 2010 State Career Ladder Templates for Dental Assistants and DANB’s 2010 State Fact Booklet are both must-have resources for dental assistants, educators, state legislators, oral healthcare organizations, and state dental boards.

Download the order form.

DANB’s 2010 State Career Ladder Templates for Dental Assistants features easy-to-use charts with information on each state's rules and regulations for dental assistants. Each state chart highlights job designations for dental assistants; education, exam, and training requirements; allowable functions; non-delegable functions; and levels of supervision required in that state. This information is particularly useful for dental assistants interested in relocating, educators answering questions about state regulations, dental offices needing helpful printouts, and legislators or state dental boards comparing state regulations.

DANB’s 2010 State Fact Booklet provides a synopsis of current state requirements and excerpts from state dental practice acts related specifically to the dental assistant. It also includes State Board of Dentistry contact information, DANB exams accepted/required in each state, the number of assistants holding DANB Certification or other DANB certificates in that state, comparative salary information, general information on expanded functions and radiography requirements, and a list of Commission on Dental Accreditation-accredited dental assisting programs.

Information from both state publications can be found on DANB’s Web site under the State-Specific Information.

Visit DANB's State-Specific Information page.

To place an order for the publications, download the order form, visit www.danb.org or call 1-800-FOR-DANB.

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DANB Offers RHS/ICE Combination Exam



For Immediate Release
Contact: Hanna Aronovich
1-800-FOR-DANB x417
haronovich@danb.org

DANB Offers RHS/ICE Combination Exam

CHICAGO (May 5, 2010) - The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) is now offering candidates the opportunity to take the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam and Infection Control (ICE) exam together during the same test administration for $220. This reduced fee represents a cost savings of $80 as compared to taking each exam during two separate administrations.

The RHS/ICE application is now available in the 2010 CDA Candidate Guide.
Download the CDA Candidate Guide with the RHS/ICE application in the 2010 CDA Candidate Guide.

The RHS and ICE exams have no eligibility requirements, and are two of the three component exams of the national DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam. The third component, the General Chairside (GC) exam, does have education or work experience eligibility requirements. To earn the CDA Certification mark, a dental assistant must pass all three component exams within a five-year period.

“DANB is very excited to offer the RHS/ICE component exam combination at a cost savings to candidates. It is a great way for candidates who have passed the GC exam to take the RHS/ICE components and become DANB Certified,” explains Johnna Gueorguieva, Director, Testing and Measurement. “Or, candidates can opt to take the RHS/ICE component exams first, and then take the GC exam once they have met the eligibility requirements.”

The RHS exam has been administered for more than 25 years and is currently recognized or required to meet radiography requirements in 29 states. Those who have passed the RHS exam are knowledgeable about the guidelines set by the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The ICE exam is a component of the Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) exam as well as the CDA exam. DANB’s ICE exam is specifically required in three states, and is part of dental assisting requirements for those 29 states that recognize the CDA or COA exams. DANB’s ICE exam assesses competency in infection control and occupational safety, reflecting knowledge of many national standards, among them OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard, and the CDC’s Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health Care Settings.

DANB exams are currently recognized or required in 38 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Pearson VUE testing centers administer the computer-based DANB exams year-round. For more information about DANB, visit www.danb.org or call 1-800-FOR-DANB.

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DANB Debuts at MDAA Annual Session



For Immediate Release
Contact: Hanna Aronovich
1-800-FOR-DANB x417
haronovich@danb.org

DANB Debuts at MDAA Annual Session

CHICAGO (April 7, 2010) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) is proud to announce that it will be exhibiting this year at the Michigan Dental Assistants Association (MDAA) Annual Session, which will be held at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, April 15-17, in conjunction with the Michigan Dental Association (MDA) Annual Session.

DANB will be staffing an educational tabletop exhibit, next to the MDAA table, as well as attending MDAA’s Student Day on Friday, April 16 in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Novi.

DANB will also be delivering its “Becoming a CDA” presentation on April 16 at 2 p.m. at the Rock Financial Showplace. Attend the presentation to learn more about DANB, DANB exam eligibility requirements, tips on how to prepare for DANB exams, and the importance and benefits of earning and maintaining DANB Certification.

DANB invites you to visit the booth, or attend one of these exciting events. DANB will have informational materials and giveaways for dental assistants, including Candidate Guides, copies of the Certified Press newsletter, information from DANB’s state publications, tote bags and pens, and special gifts for DANB Certified Assistants. DANB can answer any questions that a visitor to DANB’s booth may have about DANB exams or certification.

Visitors can also receive information about current e-learning opportunities, like DANB’s Conventional Dental Radiography Review Course and DANB’s Assessment-Based Certificate Program (ABCP): Accounts Receivable. Future e-learning courses will be offered through the newly established DALE Foundation, a DANB-affiliated but separately incorporated nonprofit educational and research foundation. Visit www.danb.org to learn more.

Follow this link to register for the MDA/MDAA Annual session.

To register for MDAA’s Student Day or DANB’s “Becoming a CDA” presentation, please contact Karen Minca at 810-667-2045, ext. 264 or 810-516-4984 or e-mail poohe0@hotmail.com.

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DANB to Offer Special RHS Exam Administration at MDA Annual Meeting



For Immediate Release
Contact: Hanna Aronovich
1-800-FOR-DANB x417
haronovich@danb.org

DANB to Offer Special RHS Exam Administration at MDA Annual Meeting

CHICAGO (March 31, 2010) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) will hold a special administration of its Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam in Missoula in conjunction with the Montana Dental Association Annual Meeting, April 28-30 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Missoula.

The Montana Board of Dentistry (MBD) recognizes passing DANB’s RHS exam as one way to meet state requirements for Montana dental assistants who wish to legally operate dental x-ray equipment and perform dental radiography procedures in this state. Dental assistants who are interested in taking this special administration of the RHS exam at the MDA Annual Meeting should contact Kate Slagoski, DANB’s Senior Coordinator, Testing and Measurement, directly at 1-800-FOR-DANB, ext. 452 in order to obtain an RHS exam application for these special testing dates. Up to 16 qualified RHS exam applicants will be accepted.

Complete RHS exam applications (including $150 exam fee paid by credit card) must be received by e-mail or fax, no later than April 16, 2010. Only those candidates who applied in advance and were pre-registered by DANB will be eligible to test on this date. There will be no on-site registration.

The exam will be administered on Thursday, April 29 and Friday, April 30. Spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Candidates will be assigned a testing date/time based on the next available testing appointment. The RHS exam will be administered on computer at secure and proctored Pearson VUE Testing Center (VTC) in Missoula at the University of Montana, located 5.5 miles from the MDA convention site.

“DANB is excited to be able to offer this special administration of the RHS exam to dental assistants in Montana,” DANB’s Executive Director Cindy Durley said. “One of DANB’s strategic priorities is increasing the accessibility of exams. We believe that offering the RHS exam during the MDA Annual Meeting gives dental assistants additional opportunities to take the RHS exam and meet state requirements, while enjoying speakers and other events offered during the 2010 MDA Annual Meeting.”

To help dental assistants to prepare, DANB offers review materials, including an interactive, online e-learning course, DANB’s Conventional Dental Radiography Review Course, which can be purchased through DANB's Web site, and two publications: the DANB Review and DANB's Glossary of Dental Assisting Terms, which can be ordered by faxing in this order form.

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DANB Seeks Nominations to the DALE Foundation's Board of Trustees



For Immediate Release
Contact: Cindy Durley
1-800-FOR-DANB x428
cdurley@danb.org

DANB Seeks Nominations to the DALE Foundation's Board of Trustees

CHICAGO (March 24, 2010) – In order to better meet the needs of dental assistants and other members of the dental team in the areas of supplemental education and professional research, the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) is establishing a separately incorporated non-profit foundation, named the DALE Foundation. The DALE Foundation is committed to Dental Assisting Learning and Education in support of DANB’s mission. The DALE Foundation has been formed to benefit the public by advancing dental assistants and promoting dental assistant certification, by developing and providing quality supplemental education and conducting sound research to support and promote oral health.

The composition of the DALE Foundation’s initial Board of Trustees will be as follows:

  • Current Chair of DANB’s Board of Directors
  • Immediate Past Chair of DANB’s Board of Directors
  • Another past DANB Board Chair
  • Six additional trustees with expertise in as many of these areas as possible:
    • Research
    • Education (dental, dental hygiene, dental assisting)
    • E-Learning
    • Employer (dentist)
    • Employment (dental office manager)
    • Public health
    • Corporate interests

Please consider nominating yourself or another qualified individual for consideration to be elected as a Founding Trustee on the DALE Foundation’s Board of Trustees. The Nominating Committee to DANB’s Board of Directors will accept nominations postmarked or received by email or fax, before April 30, 2010.

For nominations to be considered, they must include the following:

  • Letter of interest from the individual being nominated (or self-nominated)
  • Current resume/curriculum vita
  • A letter of recommendation from an employer, supervisor, or co-worker; or from someone who has served with the nominee on a committee or board of a state or national oral healthcare organization

Written response to DANB Interview Questions for Nomination to the DALE Foundation Board of Trustees. (DANB will provide these questions to all nominees who meet the April 30th deadline.)

The Nominating Committee to DANB’s Board of Directors may also choose to follow up with nominees by phone after review of their written documents before presenting the Committee’s recommendations to DANB’s Board of Directors for election to the DALE Foundation Board of Trustees.

If you are personally interested in being considered for election to the DALE Foundation Board of Trustees, or wish to nominate someone else, please submit all information as noted above to:

Cynthia C. Durley, MEd, MBA
Executive Director
Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.
444 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 900
Chicago, IL 60611

Fax: 312-642-8507
Email: cdurley@danb.org

To be considered, complete nominations must be postmarked or received no later than April 30, 2010.

DANB’s Board of Directors will review the recommendations of DANB’s Nominating Committee, and will hold elections in May. All nominees will be contacted by DANB with the results of the election no later than May 31, 2010. The first meeting of the Founding Trustees of the DALE Foundation’s Board of Trustees will be held in Chicago on Wednesday, August 11, 2010.

For more information, including Board of Trustees’ responsibilities and upcoming meeting dates:

Download the complete DALE Foundation Board of Trustees nomination requirements.

Or, visit www.danb.org, or contact Cindy Durley (cdurley@danb.org) or Liz Koch (lkoch@danb.org).

For more information about DANB, visit www.danb.org or call 1-800-FOR-DANB.

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DANB Releases E-Learning Courses



DANB Releases E-Learning Courses

CHICAGO (January 8, 2010) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) launched its first online e-learning courses this week. The offerings include an online review course in conventional dental radiography and an assessment-based certificate program (ABCP) in accounts receivable. ABCPs are based on specific education components and contain a post-course assessment.

DANB's Conventional Dental Radiography Review Course
DANB's Conventional Dental Radiography Review Course was developed for chairside assistants or dental assisting students who have some background in dental radiography, and a basic understanding of dental radiography vocabulary and general dental assisting duties. The interactive review course covers basic radiation biology concepts, radiographic processing and exposure, mounting and labeling procedures, infection control techniques and quality assurance procedures.

DANB's ABCP: Accounts Receivable
According to the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (formerly known as the National Organization for Competency Assurance [NOCA]), an Assessment-Based Certificate Program (ABCP) is a non-degree granting program that:

(a) Provides instruction and training to aid participants in acquiring specific knowledge, skills, and/or competencies associated with intended learning outcomes; and
(b) Evaluates participants' accomplishment of the intended learning outcomes; and
(c) Awards a certificate only to those participants who meet the performance, proficiency, or passing standard for the assessment(s).

An ABCP is not a professional certification program. Information about the distinction between an ABCP and a professional certification can be found on the e-learning pages on DANB's website, www.danb.org/learning.

Designed for dental office managers, dental assistants and receptionists, DANB's ABCP: Accounts Receivable is an interactive professional development course covering accounts receivable topics for the dental office. During the online course, participants learn about accounts receivable, develop dental practice financial policy and financial agreement templates for the employer's consideration, demonstrate knowledge of payment methods and billing stages, and enhance their communications skills in the area of accounts receivable. DANB's ABCP: Accounts Receivable is accessible for ninety days after purchase, allowing learners to revisit topics and take notes before completing the post-course assessment.

"We are very excited to launch DANB's e-learning courses," said DANB's Executive Director Cindy Durley, MEd, MBA. "They are accessible, affordable courses and provide dental assistants and dental office managers with engaging career development opportunities."

DANB's e-learning courses can be accessed at www.danb.org/learning. Participants earn 4 DANB CDE credits for each course. DANB's Conventional Dental Radiography Review Course costs $30.00, and DANB's ABCP: Accounts Receivable costs $50.00.

For more information about DANB, visit www.danb.org or call 1-800-FOR-DANB.

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DANB COO Inducted as NCCA Commissioner



DANB COO Inducted as NCCA Commissioner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Hanna Aronovich
312-280-3417
mediarelations@danb.org

CHICAGO (December 30, 2009) – On November 20, 2009 DANB Chief Operating Officer Liz Koch, MPH, M.Ed., was inducted as a Commissioner of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The induction ceremony was held during the 2009 Annual Educational Conference of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (formerly the National Organization for Competency Assurance).

"It is an honor to be appointed to serve on NCCA's Commission to uphold and enforce the high standards that certification agencies - including DANB - must meet in order for their certification programs to earn NCCA accreditation," Koch said. Koch is one of 12 NCCA Commissioners and will serve in the Administrative Reviewer capacity. Koch was nominated for the Commissioner position by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence's Nominating Committee and elected by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence's membership.

While in the role of Commissioner, Koch will be responsible for reviewing the policy and procedures of credentialing organizations. "One of my main duties will be to review new and renewal applications and make accreditation decisions at meetings held throughout the year," Koch stated.

The NCCA's mission is to "help ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the public through the accreditation of a variety of certification programs/organizations that assess professional competency." Using a peer-review process, the NCCA establishes accreditation standards, evaluates compliance with the standards, recognizes organizations/programs that demonstrate compliance, and serves as a resource on quality certification.

Receiving NCCA accreditation demonstrates an organization/program has met the high standards of the NCCA. The NCCA has reviewed and accredited DANB's Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) national exam certification programs. DANB's CDA exam includes the General Chairside (GC), Radiation Health and Safety (RHS), and Infection Control (ICE) component exams. DANB's COA exam includes the Orthodontic Assisting (OA) and Infection Control (ICE) component exams.

For more information about the Institute for Credentialing Excellence and NCCA accreditation, visit www.credentialingexcellence.org

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DANB's RHS Exam Now Required in Pennsylvania



New DANB's RHS Exam Now Required in Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mary GiaQuinta
312-280-3415
mediarelations@danb.org

CHICAGO (June 18, 2009) – Dental assistants in Pennsylvania are now required to pass the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam, which is administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB), in order to meet state requirements to perform dental radiological procedures.

This makes a total of 38 states, plus Washington, D.C., that recognize or require dental assistants to pass one or more of DANB’s national exams in order to meet state dental assisting rules or regulations. The Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry’s requirement of DANB’s RHS exam brings the dental assisting profession one step closer to national uniformity of state dental board radiography requirements.

After passing DANB’s RHS exam, dental assistants must complete an application for authorization to perform dental radiological procedures, which can be found on the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry’s website.

Upon issuance of authorization to perform dental radiological procedures, dental assistants who work in Pennsylvania may only perform dental radiological procedures on the premises of a dentist under the direct supervision of the dentist.

The DANB-Pennsylvania RHS agreement went into effect on June 9, and in July, DANB will begin issuing monthly reports of passing RHS candidates in Pennsylvania to this state’s dental board. Dentists and employers from across the United States can call DANB to verify if a dental assistant has passed the RHS exam. Dental assistants who are already authorized by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry to perform radiological procedures, or who have already passed DANB’s RHS exam, do not need to retest. All who have not yet submitted the application required by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry, as noted above, must do so.

For more information on DANB’s RHS exam, visit www.danb.org or call 1-800-FOR-DANB. Information on the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry can be found on their website or by calling 717-783-7162.

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DANB to Administer CDA Exam at ODA Annual Session



DANB to Administer CDA Exam at ODA Annual Session

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mary GiaQuinta
312-280-3415
mediarelations@danb.org

CHICAGO (June 16, 2009) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) will hold a special administration of its Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam in Columbus on August 29, 2009. The computerized exam administration will be held in conjunction with the Ohio Dental Association Annual Session, August 27-30 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

The special CDA Exam Candidate Guide for the Ohio administration can be downloaded at http://www.danb.org/PDFs/2009ODACDA.pdf. Completed applications submitted with exam eligibility documentation, signature and fees, must be postmarked or faxed to DANB no later than Friday, July 31.

Up to 20 qualified CDA exam applicants will be accepted, on a first-come, first-served basis. The ODA will provide free transportation from the convention center to the computerized testing center.

The DANB CDA exam is one of two avenues to meet Ohio state requirements for dental assistant certification to perform certain functions under direct supervision, and for entry into coursework leading to the Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) designation in Ohio.

Last year, nine candidates tested, eight of whom are DANB Certified Dental Assistants today, and DANB expects an even greater turnout this year.

"The DANB/ODA collaboration has brought benefits to both organizations, as well as to Ohio dental assistants and dentists," explains DANB Executive Director Cindy Durley, MEd, MBA. "By supporting DANB Certification, members of the ODA are working to ensure that their assistants meet national dental assisting competency standards, and demonstrate their commitment to lifelong learning."

Paula Oliver, CDA, CDPMA, CODA, will lead a refresher course on Ohio dental assisting certification at the Annual Session on Friday, August 28. The course provides an overview of the various available paths to dental assisting certification in Ohio and provides an overview of the exams meeting Ohio certification requirements.

DANB will be exhibiting at the ODA Annual Session, and staff will be available to answer questions during the meeting. Visit www.danb.org for more information.

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New DANB-Approved CPR Guidelines



New DANB-Approved CPR Guidelines

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mary GiaQuinta
312-280-3415
mediarelations@danb.org

CHICAGO (April 8, 2009) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) has updated its CPR guidelines. Current CPR certification is required for annual renewal of DANB certification.

As of 2/16/09, DANB accepts CPR cards from the following providers (CPR must be part of the course), if the course includes a clinical (hands-on) examination.

Accepted CPR providers include:

  • American Red Cross
  • American Environmental Health and Safety
  • American Heart Association
  • American Safety and Health Institute
  • Canadian Red Cross
  • Emergency Care and Safety Institute
  • Emergency First Response
  • Emergency Medical Training Associates
  • Medic First Aid
  • Military Training Network
  • National Safety Council (Green Cross)
  • ProCPR (added Feb 2009) Not all courses include the hands-on exam so check with provider before taking course to be sure it will be accepted by DANB)
  • Saudi Heart Association
For more information, visit DANB's Web site at www.danb.org or see the CPR guidelines flyer or review the Recertification Requirements.

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Air Force Dental Assistants Take DANB's ICE Exam



Air Force Dental Assistants Take DANB's ICE Exam

For Immediate Release
Contact: Mary GiaQuinta
1-800-FOR-DANB x415
mediarelations@danb.org

CHICAGO (March 20, 2009) -- The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) and the Air Force Dental Service (AFDS) are underway in their collaboration on the administration of DANB's Infection Control (ICE) exam. DANB's contract with the AFDS went into effect at the end of last year, and more than 40 candidates in the Air Force dental technical training program have since passed the exam and earned Certificates of Competency in Infection Control. The exam is administered once a month at Sheppard Air Force base in Texas.

By delivering DANB exams within the AFDS dental technician curriculum, the Air Force gains an independent verification of dental technician knowledge of federal infection control and occupational safety requirements and related national guidelines. This collaborative relationship also provides AFDS dental technicians with the opportunity to earn national DANB Certificates of Competency.

Earning a DANB Certificate of Competency in Infection Control can lead to a professional Certification - either Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) or Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) - for those who pass the required component exams. In addition, earning a Certificate of Competency in Infection Control and working toward DANB Certification helps military personnel meet civilian dental assisting requirements in a number of states and plan ahead for a smooth transition from military life to a rewarding civilian career.

DANB exams are required or recognized by 38 states as meeting dental assistant requirements. The ICE exam is specifically recognized or required for dental assistants working in Iowa, North Dakota, and New York and as a component of the CDA, required or recognized in 29 other states.

Effective October 1, 2009, DANB will also begin to administer the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam to AFDS students. The RHS exam has been in existence for more than 25 years, and is currently required or recognized as meeting radiology requirements in 31 states.

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DANB Executive Director Durley Wins NOCA Service Award



DANB Executive Director Durley Wins NOCA Service Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mary GiaQuinta
312-280-3415
mediarelations@danb.org

CHICAGO (December 23, 2008) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.’s (DANB) Executive Director Cynthia Durley, MEd., MBA received the 2008 National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA) Service Award. NOCA is the national membership association for certification organizations and promotes excellence in credentialing across all professions, worldwide.

Presented on Friday, Nov. 21 at NOCA’s Annual Educational Conference in San Francisco, the Service Award is given to an individual who has displayed exemplary service and commitment to the organization, has facilitated the achievement of the organization’s goals and who has a history of volunteer service in NOCA.

Ms. Durley has been employed in the testing field since 1980, initially working as an instructor of statistics, testing and measurement at Loyola University of Chicago. In addition, she has previously worked in test development for the Academy of General Dentistry, and in test development and curriculum evaluation for the United States Navy. Ms. Durley became the Director of Testing and Measurement for DANB in 1986, a position she held until she was appointed Executive Director in 1996.

In 1999, Ms. Durley was elected as one of 10 Commissioners of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the accrediting arm of NOCA. Serving as Co-Chair in 2002 and Chair in 2003 and 2004, Ms. Durley worked to revise NCCA’s national Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. Ms. Durley concluded her three-year term on NOCA’s Board of Directors by serving as NOCA President in 2006. During her tenure as a NOCA officer, Ms. Durley was primary author of A NOCA Guide to Understanding Credentialing Concepts. She also served on NOCA’s Management Services Committee, which was charged with evaluating the organization’s need for a new Executive Director, and was instrumental in the search and hiring process.

Ms. Durley was nominated for the award by Executive Director of the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation and NOCA Immediate Past President Cynthia Miller Murphy, RN, MSN, CAE. “I believe Cindy Durley is most deserving of the NOCA Service Award, not because of the long list of committees and other groups to which she has belonged, but because of the tremendous commitment, energy, enthusiasm, diligence, hard work and dedication that she has provided to NOCA in each of the positions that she has held,” Murphy said. “Cindy is a visionary leader and her abilities have greatly benefited NOCA; her service to NOCA has been exemplary in every way.”

Currently, Ms. Durley serves on NOCA’s Leadership Council and NOCA’s Main Committee on Assessment-Based Certificate Program Standards as the Co-Chair of the Work Group on Assessment. She is also a member of the NOCA ISO 17024 Task Force that is looking into standards for international accreditation of certification programs.

“It is a privilege and a pleasure to be involved with NOCA, an organization that promotes excellence in credentialing through education, research, advocacy, accreditation and standards,” Ms. Durley said. “DANB shares NOCA’s vision of ‘excellence,’ and I look forward to our continued relationship in the future.”

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Salaries Continue to Rise for DANB Certified Dental Assistants



Salaries Continue to Rise for DANB Certified Dental Assistants

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mary GiaQuinta
312-280-3415
mediarelations@danb.org

CHICAGO (October 16, 2008)- The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) has just released the results of its 2008 DANB Certificant Salary Survey, which found that pay rates for DANB Certified Assistants have gone up by more than 9 percent in the last two years, and remain higher than national averages for non-DANB Certified assistants.

The full-time respondents reported earning a median salary of $18.00 per hour, $1.50 an hour more than what DANB’s 2006 Salary Survey results showed. DANB Certified Assistants also earn $2.38 more than non-DANB Certified assistants, according to adjusted figures from a 2007 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey.

DANB Certified Assistants in specialty practices make more than those employed in general dental practice, with periodontal assistants earning the most, with a median salary $19.00 per hour. Of the Certified Assistants who responded to the survey, 49% have taken an expanded functions course since becoming Certified.

DANB Certified Assistants also continue to report career and employer loyalty. Respondents have an average of 16.7 years of field experience and have been in their current position for an average of 9.4 years. Both of these figures are up from the 2006 survey.

Other key figures include:

  • 73% of respondents work full time, with a median salary of $18.00
  • 82% work in private practice, with a median salary of $18.00
  • 67% work in general dentistry, with a median salary of $17.75
  • DANB Certified Assistants report a median length of employment as a dental assistant of 16 years.
  • Respondents working in the profession for 16-20 years earn a median salary of $18.00
  • Respondents working in metropolitan areas earn a median salary of $18.98
According to respondents, the top three benefits of DANB Certification are self-gratification (83%), pride (75%) and recognition by employer (58%).

“The DANB Salary Survey was a great help to me when interviewing for jobs when [my husband and I] moved,” one respondent said. “I wouldn’t have known what to ask for in this area without that information, and would have asked for less.”

Other respondents note the survey is beneficial in assessing current pay scales. “Thank you for issuing this survey. I share this with my employer so he can assess where he is at with wages and benefits.”

For more information, see highlights from the 2008 DANB Certificant Salary Survey.

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DANB's CDPMA Exam to be Discontinued



For Immediate Release
Contact: Mary GiaQuinta 
1-800-FOR-DANB x415
mediarelations@danb.org

DANB's CDPMA Exam To Be Discontinued

CHICAGO (May 7, 2008) - The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) will discontinue administration of the current Certified Dental Practice Management Administrator (CDPMA) exam as of May 31, 2008, in order to evaluate the possibility of updating the exam to more accurately reflect current practice managers' responsibilities.

Last year, in conjunction with the American Dental Assistants Association and the American Association of Dental Office Managers, DANB conducted focus groups with dental team members employed as dental office managers, many of whom hold the CDPMA credential. DANB learned that the scope of the CDPMA role is expanding, with many managers entering the field with strong business backgrounds, rather than dental backgrounds.

As a result of these findings along with the analysis of CDPMA exam results, DANB determined that the current CDPMA exam content coverage might not reflect the practice of many if not most dental practice managers today. Therefore, the administration of the CDPMA examination will be discontinued during DANB's content validation study of this aspect of dental office practice. Applications to take the current CDPMA exam must be postmarked or faxed by May 31, 2008. Applications received after May 31 will not be accepted.

The current CDPMA credential is not affected by this change. CDPMAs can still annually renew their credential by meeting DANB's Recertification Requirements (12 hours of Continuing Dental Education, holding current DANB-accepted CPR certification and submitting the renewal fee). After June 1, 2008, reinstatement of a lapsed CDPMA certification will only be possible if the credential has lapsed for less than one year.

The National Commission for Certifying Agencies accredits DANB's certification programs as meeting the highest standards of validity, reliability and objectivity. "DANB takes great pride in its national dental assisting certification exam programs," said DANB Executive Director Cynthia C. Durley. "By re-evaluating the CDPMA credential, DANB is proactively working to assure the value and integrity of DANB's certification programs."

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DANB's 2008 State Publications Now Available



DANB's 2008 Career Ladder Template and State Fact Booklet Now Available

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mary GiaQuinta
1-800-FOR-DANB ext. 415
mediarelations@danb.org

CHICAGO (April 23, 2008) - The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) has published the latest versions of two essential publications: DANB's 2008 State Fact Booklet and DANB's 2008 Career Ladder Templates for Dental Assistants. These publications replace the 2007 versions and together are a complete guide to dental assisting regulatory requirements. DANB's 2008 State Fact Booklet and DANB's 2008 Career Ladder Templates for Dental Assistants are both must-have reference items for educators, state legislators, dental boards and dental professionals looking to further their careers.

DANB's 2008 State Fact Booklet provides current state requirements and excerpts from State Practice Acts, related specifically to the dental assistant, and noting the 38 states in which DANB credentials are currently required or recognized. The 2008 volume also contains the latest State Board of Dentistry contact information, accepted/required DANB exams, the number of assistants holding DANB Certification or other DANB certificates in the state, comparative salary information, general information on expanded functions and radiography requirements, and a list of Commission on Dental Accreditation-accredited dental assisting programs.

DANB's 2008 Career Ladder Templates for Dental Assistants is a reader-friendly guide outlining dental assistant requirements and career ladder opportunities for dental assistants in all 50 states. This resource will prove invaluable to both new and experienced dental assistants who are interested in verifying the dental assisting duties allowed in their state, who might plan to relocate or seek to develop their professional responsibilities and skills. It will also aid state dental board members and officials who are interested in reviewing their own regulations or comparing their state's requirements to others.

This state-specific and career ladder information is also available on DANB's Web site under the State-Specific Information link . Whether viewed online or in print, the information in both of these DANB publications can serve as a roadmap for dental professionals, educators and state legislators' future initiatives.

To order your copies, please see the attached order form. Or, for more information, visit www.danb.org or call 1-800-FOR-DANB.

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Dental Assistants Support National Model for Service



CHICAGO (June 29, 2006) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.® (DANB®) and the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) have compiled the results of a survey sent to readers of the Position Paper of the ADAA/DANB Alliance: Addressing a Uniform National Model for the Dental Assisting Profession. Respondents indicate overwhelming support for the development of a uniform national set of tasks, levels, and requirements for assistants, and a career ladder for the dental assisting profession.

Over a quarter of a million dental assistants (266,000) currently practice in the U.S., of which an estimated 75-90% receive all or the majority of their training on the job. At present, there is no nationally accepted set of guidelines that governs the practice of dental assisting in the U.S., and some states have no requirements for dental assistants at all. This great variation in dental assisting requirements across states could negatively affect the quality of oral healthcare delivery. The situation also creates obstacles for the approximately 7,200 assistants who move each year from one U.S. state to another, and for those employer dentists who practice near bordering states.

The Position Paper of the ADAA/DANB Alliance: Addressing a Uniform National Model for the Dental Assisting Profession (September 2005) sets forth a national model for this important health care provider role. The proposed career ladder consists of four “rungs”: Entry Level Dental Assistant, Dental Assistant, DANB Certified Dental Assistant or Registered Dental Assistant, and Expanded Functions Dental Assistant. Each “rung” has its own set of training, education, and/or experience requirements, as well as a list of tasks that dental assistants at that level would be considered competent to perform.

The DANB/ADAA Study to Define and Rank Order Core Competencies for Dental Assistants (2002-05) provides the research which supports this model for dental assisting. Participants in the study rated 70 dental assisting tasks in terms of the training, education, and/or experience they believed should be (not what currently is) required to perform each one. The results reveal that professional practitioners consider certain tasks to merit more education and training than others—a standard that is currently not met nationwide.

In order to solicit feedback from the 730 individuals who received copies of the position paper, the ADAA/DANB Alliance sent readers a survey in December 2005. The purpose of this survey was to determine how readers planned to use the information contained in the paper, how they thought it would benefit oral healthcare, and whether it impacted their viewpoint on the dental assisting profession.

DANB received 115 responses to this survey (a 15.75% response rate) from a group that included dental assistants (both DANB Certified and non-Certified), directors of ADA-accredited dental assisting programs, state dental board members, national dental association staff members, members of U.S. federal agencies, ADAA officers, and dentists/employers. A breakdown of reader responses appears below:

While a few negative comments reflected a concern that DANB and ADAA continue to recognize on-the-job training as an option for entry into a dental assisting career, the high number of affirmative responses reinforce the ADAA/DANB Alliance’s view that it is time to give serious consideration to the adoption of a uniform national dental assisting model that establishes guidelines for the education, training, and credentialing of dental assistants. Understanding that state practice act provisions are the purview of each state, DANB and the ADAA can only make recommendations for these state bodies and their legislatures to consider. It is to be hoped that the conversations and questions initiated by the paper will continue among dental professionals, educators, and legislators in furtherance of this goal.

Visit www.danb.org to download an Executive Summary of the position paper (no charge) or an order form to purchase the paper in its entirety ($15; submit form via fax or mail to DANB.

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DANB Publishes Career Ladder Templates for Dental Assistants

View/Print as PDF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Dawn Capper
1-800-FOR-DANB, ext. 419
marketing@danb.org

CHICAGO (June 7, 2006) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) announces the publication of DANB’s 2006 State Career Ladder Templates for Dental Assistants, a reader-friendly guide to dental assisting requirements for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. This new volume is intended to guide readers to a clearer understanding of how each state defines the job titles and the legal practice of dental assistants and (in some states) orthodontic and oral and maxillofacial surgery assistants.

Each state’s Career Ladder Template contains information drawn from that state’s dental practice act, which DANB provided to all state dental boards for review and approval. The template specifies the tasks, if any, a dental assistant can perform without any education, training, or exams; the required level of supervision; and the precise entry-level job title in that state. Each template then defines the requirements (such as coursework or exams) that an assistant would need to complete in order to move up the career ladder.

DANB’s Career Ladder project is part of a larger initiative to support the development of a national career ladder model for dental assistants, based on one set of core tasks, levels, and requirements. Understanding that state practice act provisions are the purview of each state, if dental assistants who are qualified to perform certain duties in one state are recognized as competent in other states, recruitment, employment, and job satisfaction of qualified assistants will improve. This will also allow dentists to focus on dentistry while assistants perform delegated duties, thus increasing access to care.

DANB’s 2006 State Career Ladder Templates for Dental Assistants will prove invaluable to anyone who is just entering the field of dental assisting, to those seeking career guidance, or to those wanting to understand the often complex rules and regulations for each state. It will help assistants who plan to relocate, who are interested in continuing their educations, or who seek to develop their professional responsibilities and skills. It will also aid state dental board members and officials who are interested in comparing their state’s requirements to others.

To obtain an order form for DANB’s 2006 State Career Ladder Templates for Dental Assistants, visit
www.danb.org or call 1-800-FOR-DANB.

A sample template and a guide to its interpretation is presented below:


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Two New DANB-Administered State Exams Launched in 2006

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Dawn Capper
1-800-FOR-DANB, ext. 419
marketing@danb.org

CHICAGO (February 21, 2006) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB), the national certification board for dental assistants, launched two new state exams in 2006: the Arizona Coronal Polishing (AZCP) Exam and the Delaware Dental Radiological Technology (DDRT) Exam. This exciting development brings the total of states offering DANB-administered state exams up to 11; DANB’s national exams are recognized or required in 35 states. (See “About DANB” later in this press release for more information on DANB’s national exams.)

Each state choosing to offer a state-specific exam works with DANB to craft an exam and (if desired) certificate program tailored to meet the particular requirements of the state’s dental practice act. This allows the state to test its dental assistants in the areas it deems most important, without the long-term financial and staffing responsibilities that accompany the creation, management, and maintenance of an independent examination program for dental assistants.

Arizona Coronal Polishing Exam
The Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners (ASBDE) now offers the AZCP Exam as one of the requirements for dental assistants who wish to earn the Arizona Coronal Polishing Certificate. This certificate will allow the assistant to perform coronal polishing duties within the state under the general supervision of a licensed dentist. DANB has been contracted to administer the complete certificate program, a service that includes providing exam information, distributing applications, testing, issuing certificates, and handling inquiries.

To acquire the Arizona Coronal Polishing Certificate, a dental assistant must pass the AZCP Exam, submit an Arizona Coronal Polishing Clinical Skills Affidavit (completed by a licensed dentist or a coronal polishing educator/course instructor), and submit a completed Arizona Coronal Polishing Certificate Application to DANB. The AZCP exam is currently available in a written format, and will also be available on computer as early as April 2006.

Delaware Dental Radiological Technology Exam
Also new in 2006 (effective September 1) is the computerized DDRT Exam, which is administered by DANB under an agreement with the Delaware Division of Public Health, Office of Radiation Control (Delaware ORC).

To expose radiographs in the state of Delaware, dental assistants must earn a state certificate from the Delaware ORC by first submitting a completed state certificate application, Form R-16, to the Delaware ORC and then applying for and passing the DDRT Exam. Application for the DDRT is through DANB.

To download the AZCP Exam Fact Sheet and Application, visit DANB’s website at www.danb.org or call 1-800-FOR-DANB. For information about the DDRT exam, call 1-800-FOR-DANB or email danbmail@danb.org.

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ADAA/DANB Alliance Publishes Position Paper on National Model for Dental Assisting

View/Print as PDF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Dawn Capper
1-800-FOR-DANB, ext. 419
marketing@danb.org

CHICAGO (October 12, 2005) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.® (DANB®) and the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) are pleased to announce the publication of the Position Paper of the ADAA/DANB Alliance: Addressing a Uniform National Model for the Dental Assisting Profession. Shortly after the publication in 2000 of Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General, the ADAA/DANB Alliance initiated The DANB/ADAA Study to Define and Rank Order Core Competencies for Dental Assistants. The results of this study and a comprehensive analysis of their implications on the dental assisting profession and the delivery of oral healthcare services have been published in the Position Paper of the ADAA/DANB Alliance: Addressing a Uniform National Model for the Dental Assisting Profession.

The 138-page document will serve the public interest by disseminating information on the results to the following: federal-level health agencies (such as the Office of the Surgeon General and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services), state Boards of Dentistry, state dental associations, organized dentistry (i.e. professional membership organizations representing various groups of dental professionals), oral health advocacy groups (such as Oral Health America), dental-related corporations, dental schools and dental assisting programs accredited by the ADA’s Commission on Dental Accreditation, other dental assisting programs (not ADA-accredited), coordinators of high school vocational education programs, and other
various policymakers and public health organizations.

Formed to address many issues related to the dental assisting profession, the ADAA/DANB Alliance set as one of its primary goals the definition and ranking of core dental assisting competencies (from most basic to most complex) in support of one national set of tasks, levels, and minimum requirements to perform these tasks, and to reinforce the concept of a viable career ladder for assistants.

The position paper draws upon the results of the Core Competency research to define and rank order core competencies for dental assistants and recommend minimum requirements for performing these competencies. A uniform national model of dental assisting tasks and requirements to perform those tasks will enable dentists to delegate identified tasks to dental assistants who have met educational/training requirements and have demonstrated competency on the tasks. This will allow dentists to focus on dentistry and assistants to perform delegated duties, with appropriate education, training, and credentialing (if required), thus increasing access to care.

Defining the duties of dental assistants, identifying educational/training requirements, and providing a legally defensible and psychometrically sound way to demonstrate competency will strengthen the dental team, making it more efficient, more cost-effective, and, most importantly, better able to meet the oral healthcare needs of the public. Go to www.danb.org to download an Executive Summary of the Position Paper and/or an order form to request a copy (via fax or mail to DANB) of the entire report for $15.

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Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. Elects New Board Members

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Dawn Capper
1-800-FOR-DANB, ext. 419
marketing@danb.org

CHICAGO (September 28, 2005) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.® (DANB®) is pleased to announce that three new members were elected to its Board of Directors during the Board’s August meeting.

American Dental Association (ADA) Representative – Richard F. Hunt III, DDS
Richard F. Hunt III, DDS, was elected to the Dental Assisting National Board’s (DANB’s) Board of Directors as one of two representatives of the ADA. Dr. Hunt received his DDS degree from the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry in 1989. He is a general dentist in Rocky Mount, NC, where he shares a practice with his wife, Dr. Amy W. Hunt. Currently, Dr. Hunt is president-elect of the North Carolina Dental Society; president-elect of the North Carolina Dental Foundation; an alternate delegate to the ADA’s House of Delegates; and a representative of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia on the ADA Council on Dental Practice.

Public Member – Marlene W. Futterman, MA
 Marlene W. Futterman, MA, was elected to the position of Public Member on DANB’s Board of Directors. Ms. Futterman holds an MA in international relations from Yale University and consults in organizational management and program development with government and private agencies. Previously, she served as the first Executive Director of the Direct Selling Education Foundation, a position she held for 22 years. Ms. Futterman has served on the board of directors for several non-profit organizations, including the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, the National Coalition for Consumer Education, and the Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals in Business.

American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Representative – Donna M. Kotyk, MA, RDH, CDA
 Donna M. Kotyk, MA, RDH, CDA, was elected to the position of American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Representative on DANB’s Board of Directors. Ms. Kotyk holds an MA in Education and an RDH in Dental Hygiene from the University of Michigan; she has been a CDA since 1992 and holds RDH licenses in five states. She currently serves as Dental Assisting Director at Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, MT. She is also a curriculum consultant and staff representative for the ADA’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Ms. Kotyk has served on the Dental Assisting CODA Review Committee and ADEA’s Dental Assisting Program in Education (Chair and Delegate).

DANB’s Board of Directors is comprised of nine representatives from the following stakeholder groups: three members representing the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA), two members representing the American Dental Association (ADA), one member representing the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), one member representing the American Association of Dental Examiners (AADE), one DANB Certificant elected by his or her peers (Certificant-at-large) and one member who is not from any of these groups, representing the general public (Public Member). Each stakeholder representative is elected to a three-year term, with a maximum of two terms allowed. DANB Executive Director Cynthia Durley, MEd, MBA, is an ex officio member of the DANB Board. For more information on DANB’s governance, including a complete list of the Board of Directors, visit www.danb.org.

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