DANB and the DALE Foundation sponsor SkillsUSA national dental assisting competition
The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) and its affiliate the DALE Foundation are proud Partner sponsors of the dental assisting competition at the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, which will be held June 1-5 in Atlanta, Georgia.
As Partner sponsors, DANB and the DALE Foundation are providing medalist grants to high school and postsecondary medalists, as well as travel grants to competitors and judges. 
Additionally, DANB is providing in-kind contributions of its Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam and Infection Control (ICE) exam to all interested dental assisting competitors. DANB’s RHS and ICE exams lead to the Certified Dental Assistant certification, which is a nationally recognized credential that supports workforce readiness.
DANB and the DALE Foundation are one of the few industry sponsors of this year’s dental assisting competition, underscoring the incredible need for support for the profession, especially as dentistry continues to face a shortage of qualified assistants.
Michelle Lee, DANB’s Vice President of External Relations and Policy, will be on-site at the competition to cheer on the competitors.
“Preparing aspiring dental assistants to be ready to join dental practices and clinics and provide patients with quality care is one of our top priorities,” Lee said. “DANB supports dental assistants at all stages of their careers, and we are thrilled to provide grants to this year’s competitors and judges to recognize their achievements and ease the financial burden of travel.”
Prior to its official Partner sponsorship, DANB has been a resource for the dental assisting competition, as the technical standards for the competition are based on DANB’s content validation studies and exam outlines.
SkillsUSA’s National Leadership & Skills Conference is the largest gathering of America’s future skilled workforce and the ultimate recognition of excellence in career and technical education. Held in Atlanta each June, the conference is a week-long celebration of the skilled trades and the accomplishments of career-ready leaders from across the United States. The event brings together more than 19,000 attendees, including students, instructors, industry partners, government officials, administrators and more.
About DANB and the DALE Foundation
DANB is the national certification board for dental assistants. DANB exams and certifications are recognized or required by 39 states and the District of Columbia. The DALE Foundation is DANB’s official affiliate for education and scholarships.
About SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is the No. 1 workforce development organization for students, empowering them to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members. SkillsUSA represents more than 444,000 career and technical education students and teachers in middle schools, high schools and college/postsecondary institutions nationwide. Those members represent 130 in-demand occupational areas, from 3-D animation to welding. A vital solution to the skills gap, SkillsUSA has served over 15 million members since its founding in 1965.