My expiration date is in May. What does it mean when the Guidelines say that I have to renew by January 31st?
How come I took an all-day stress management course (or practice management course) and DANB won’t accept it?
Why is there mandatory CPR? And what happens if my CPR certification is good for two years?
Why am I being audited after I have already paid my renewal fee?
How does the audit process work? I don’t understand why I have to earn/find more CE hours when I have 12 already.
Why does it take so long to get my certificate and wallet card?
How should Certificants complete the CDE Recording Form?
What type of documentation is acceptable for proof of CDE participation?
Why are there annual maximums for number of hours earned in many of the CDE categories?
How might a Certificant fail an audit?
Are CDE hours good for more than one year?
How can CDE be earned?
How do I reinstate my CDA, COA, CDPMA, or COMSA if I allowed my certification to lapse?
For more information, call 1-800-FOR-DANB or Click Here to email the Assistant Director of Recertification .
My expiration date is in May. What does it mean when the Guidelines say that I have to renew by January 31?
This question is directly related to the sample or example expiration timeline. This simple table explains how the recertification process (including grace period) works. This is for reference only and does not apply to any specific Certificant.
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How come I took an all-day stress management course (or practice management course) and DANB won’t accept it?
DANB will accept the course under the non-clinical category (Category #3 formerly Electives). DANB allows three (3) hours of credit for CDAs, COAs, or COMSAs. If an individual is a CDPMA, DANB allows up to six (6) hours of CDE in this category.
DANB recognizes the importance of non-clinical courses and/or topics in dental assisting. But as stated in the Recertification Guidelines review (above), the CDA, COA, and COMSA focuses on the clinical aspects of assisting, while the CDPMA assesses front office skills and basic dental terminology/knowledge necessary for office staff.
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Why is there mandatory CPR? And what happens if my CPR certification is good for two years?
Dental Assistants are responsible for patient care and in an emergency, perhaps the only ones that can attend to the patient immediately. For example, an emergency occurs while the dentist is with a patient in exam room 2 while the CDA is attending to the patient in exam room 1. The CDA is closest to the patient and can administer care or CPR as appropriate.
Two-(2) year CPR card holders can only apply the hours to recertification in the year CPR is earned. In the second year, CPR hours will not count and the Certificant must earn the full number of hours from other categories. For example, a COA earned 2-year CPR Certification in 2004 through a 4-hour course. The COA would need to earn 8 additional hours to meet the 2004 CDE requirement.
However, in 2005 the COA would need to earn the full 12 CDE hours to meet the requirement; DANB would not accept the hours for CPR earned in 2004. It is important to note that if the Certificant is audited, proof of a current CPR card, earned through participation in a DANB-accepted CPR course, must be provided.
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Why am I being audited after I have already paid my renewal fee?
DANB randomly selects Certificants for Verification (audit) of CDE. Although the renewal fee has been paid and the Certificant has attested to earning CPR and CDE, DANB performs an audit to verify the signed statement. The 3-month grace period applies to those being audited.
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How does the audit process work? I don’t understand why I have to earn/find more CE hours when I have 12 already.
At the beginning of the month, a select group of Certificants receive letters requesting proof of education. Certificants simply submit proof of education/attendance in compliance with the Recertification Guidelines (see accepted documentation under each category) with a completed CDE form for DANB review.
Once DANB has reviewed and approved the audit, the Certificant receives a Pass letter. Subsequently (3-4 weeks), the Certificant receives a new certificate.
If the submitted hours do not comply with the appropriate number of hours per category/meet DANB requirements, or proof is not provided, the Certificant receives a Non-Compliance letter indicating the deficiency in the audit. The Certificant is encouraged to submit additional proof or in some cases use the grace period to earn additional hours to comply. Once the audit is approved, a Pass letter is sent and the new certificate is processed.
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Why does it take so long to get my certificate or wallet card?
The entire process from DANB’s receipt of payment to the Certificant’s receipt of certificate takes approximately 4-6 weeks. This time frame includes processing, data entry, and certificate printing and mailing. The 4-6 week time frame still applies if a renewal payment is made at the end of the 3-month grace period.
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How should Certificants complete the CDE Recording Form?
In 2001, DANB combined the CDE Recording Form and the Recertification Guidelines into one document. The CDE Recording Form is on page 4 (back page) of the information. Certificants should discard any old forms.
Information should be itemized as follows:- Column 1 (date) - enter the date that the Certificant attended or completed a course, seminar, etc.
- Column 2 (hours) - enter the number of hours earned in compliance with the Recertification Guidelines.
- Column 3 (category) - enter the number of the category that corresponds with the course attended or completed with the Recertification Guidelines.
- Column 4 (sponsor) - enter the name of the person or company that presented or provided the course.
- Column 5 (program title) - enter the title of the course.
Refer to the DANB Recertification Guidelines while completing your CDE Recording Form to ensure that the hours you are submitting are in compliance. Keep in mind, while you are earning your CDE hours, that certain categories have annual maximums. Proof of participation (copies of certificates, attendance forms, etc.) must be provided to earn credit when audited. Do not send proof unless you receive notification from DANB.
Be sure to review the DANB Recertification Guidelines each year. The DANB Certificant Services Committee reviews the Recertification Guidelines annually to determine if changes should be made due to changes in the profession, from Certificant feedback, and trends in the dental community.
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What type of documentation is acceptable for proof of CDE participation?
Acceptable proof of participation is a certificate or letter from the sponsor of the program, a DANB approval number for the course, or college transcript. For courses attended at a convention, send the CDE printout from the meeting. If the meeting does not provide printouts, note the course completion number given at the end of the presentation next to the entry in the program guide. A copy of your name badge serves as proof of attendance at courses or exhibits.
Some Certificants continue to remit the 3x5 CDE Recording Cards. These cards are no longer valid–DANB eliminated the cards many years ago. Certificants should discard these CDE cards. DANB does not record, retain, or return any unsolicited proof of CDE hours earned (a policy that has been in effect and in print since 1997 as part of the Recertification Guidelines).
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Why are there annual maximums for number of hours earned in many of the CDE categories?
DANB hears “Why can’t I earn all of my hours in practice management? Front desk duties are part of my job.” or “I don’t chairside anymore, I run the front desk.” or “I went on an international mission and volunteered for 2 weeks, how come I can’t earn 12 hours for that?”
The DANB CDA, COA and previously the COMSA examinations focus on clinical duties (more than 97% of the examination is based on the clinical practice of dental assisting). Therefore, it is important that knowledge in all areas of dentistry, not just one, is obtained. While a CDA’s, COA’s, or COMSA’s tasks may include administrative duties, the primary role of a CDA, COA or COMSA is direct clinical patient care. ONLY CDPMA’s are allowed to earn six (6) hours annually in Category 3 non-clinical courses because management, computer software training, insurance courses, etc. are credential specific.
Technology in dentistry changes every day and responsible dental assistants should educate themselves about those changes in order to continue to be an effective, valuable member to the profession and the dental care team.
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How might a Certificant fail an audit?
There are many reasons a Certificant might fail a DANB audit:- Failure to include proof of CDE participation.
- Submitting hours earned outside of the renewal period being audited.
- Earning too many hours in a category that has a maximum.
- Not submitting enough hours.
- Not paying the renewal fee in addition to completing the audit.
- Submitting proof of attending courses not compliant with the current Recertification Guidelines.
If a Certificant “fails” the audit, materials will be returned with a letter indicating what steps are to be taken in order to pass the audit. Certificants may use their three-month grace period (past the expiration date) to earn hours, provide proof, etc. in order to comply (and pass) the audit.
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Are CDE hours good for more than one year?
Yes. Any hours that are earned in excess of the number required in that year can be carried over to the next renewal period. When you are carrying over hours, proof of participation must be provided for the year the hours were earned and the year being audited.
For example, a CDA has 18 hours (all of which comply with the Recertification Guidelines and hour maximums). Twelve (12) would be acceptable for 2004. The remaining 6 are applied toward 2005. If the CDA is audited for 2004, only 12 hours must be submitted. If the CDA is audited in 2005, the 12 hours counted in 2004 plus the 6 carried over from 2004 and the other 6 earned in 2005 must be submitted because hours were carried from one renewal period to another.
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How can CDE be earned?
The Recertification Guidelines offer many options such as college courses, conventions, teaching CDE, taking/passing a DANB exam, etc. However, some Certificants are not able to attend seminars/conventions. Home study from independent course providers and many dental assisting and dental organizations is also accepted. The Internet, including www.dentalcare.com (sponsored by Procter & Gamble), www.dentaldidactics.com, www.dentalxchange.com (ADAA courses), is also an accessible source for CDE hours–either through
a computer at home or the local public library. All home study courses, including those on the Internet, must be pre-approved by DANB to be accepted.
Education is also offered in the dental/hygiene/assistant journals that often arrive at the dental office each day. Even though the CDE was designed for dentists, Certificants can read the articles and submit the post-test for credit. Certificants are not required to be dentists/hygienists to earn this type of CDE.
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How do I reinstate my CDA, COA, CDPMA, or COMSA if I allowed my certification to lapse?
DANB offers the following options for becoming recertified depending upon how long your certification has been expired:
Reinstatement Program - For credentials lapsed between 4-12 months- Pay adminstrative fee
- Pay back renewal fee(s)
- Provide proof of required continuing dental education and current CPR card
Professional Development Examination Program (PDEP) - For credentials lapsed between 13-30 months- Pay examination fee
- Pay back renewal fee(s)
- Provide proof of required continuing dental education and current CPR card
- Earn passing score on PDEP examination
General Chairside (or Orthodontic Assisting) Examination - For credentials lapsed 30+ months, but initially earned less than 5 years ago- Pay examination fee
- Provide completed application and supporting eligibility documentation/information
- Earn a passing score on General Chairside (or Orthodontic Assisting) examination within 5 years of initial certification date
Full Certification Examination - For credentials lapsed 30+ months and earned over 5 years ago- Pay examination fee
- Provide completed application and supporting eligibility documentation/information
- Earn a passing score on the full Certification Examination
As per the policy set forth at the August 1999 Board of Directors meeting, after June 1, 2000, the COMSA examination was discontinued.
Effective May 31, 2008, DANB discontinued accepting applications for the current CDPMA exam in order to update the program and ensure that all DANB Certifications reflect current practice.
The COMSA and CDPMA credentials will continue to be recognized. Current COMSA and CDPMA Certificants may continue to renew their credential(s) annually by meeting DANB's Recertification Requirements. Reinstatement of a lapsed COMSA and/or CDPMA certification will only be possible if the credential has lapsed for less than one year.
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