There are over 37,000 dental assistants in the United States who hold CDA® certification. Depending on the state you live, the regulations are different and you may be required to take the CDA® exam to work as a dental assistant. This article provides the general outline of what a CDA®  is, what a CDA®  exam is composed of, the benefits of becoming certified, and how you can prepare for the examinations.

What is a CDA® Exam

CDA® stands for Certified Dental Assistant™. It is the official title given by the DANB® (Dental Assisting National Boards) upon successfully passing all the required examinations. This CDA® title may be required for a dental assistant to have in order to work. In some states, the CDA® designation may not be needed, however, it helps the employer validate that the dental assistant is qualified.

For a dental assistant to be recognized as the CDA®, three different types of examinations are required. Note that work experience is also needed to apply for the examinations. The exam is created and trademarked by the DANB® (Dental Assisting National Boards), which also governs other dental assisting board examinations.

Once you become a CDA®  (Certified Dental Assistant™), you will be able to use the initials with your name. This will make your resume stand out from the crowd. See an example of how you can use the CDA®  title. (Note that there are specific rules to follow, see the DANB’s guidelines for using the CDA®  title.)

The DANB organization list the following usage of the CDA® title as acceptable on their website:

  • John Doe, CDA®
  • John Doe, CDA® , COA, CPFDA, CDPMA
  • John Doe, a DANB CDA®  certificant for 13 years.
  • John Doe, Dental Assisting National Board CDA®  certification earned in 1993.

 

The components of CDA® exam

The CDA®  exam is composed of three different smaller components:

  • RHS® exam (Radiology Health and Safety): 100 multiple-choice questions, 1 ¼ hours testing time
  • GC (General Chairside): 120 multiple-choice questions, 1 ½ hours testing time
  • ICE® exam Infection Control): 100 multiple-choice questions, 1 ¼ hours testing time

The three different exams can be scheduled at the same time, which will help you save some registration fee. You can also register for each component separately, as you get ready for the examination. You will be rewarded the Certified Dental Assistant™ (CDA® ) title by the DANB only if you successfully pass the three examinations.

  • Total Exam Time: 4 hrs (75 mins + 75 mins + 90 mins = 240 mins)
  • Application Form: Click here to be redirected to DANB’s website and download the application.
  • DANB Website: Click link to be redirected
  • DANB Guidelines: Click link to be redirected

The Composition of RHS® (Radiation Health and Safety) Exam

  • Expose and evaluate (26%)
  • Quality Assurance and radiology regulations (21%)
  • Radiation safety for patients and operators (31%)
  • Infection control (22%)

The Composition of ICE® (Infection Control) Exam

  • Patient and dental health care worker education (10%)
  • Prevent cross-contamination and disease transmission (20%)
  • Maintain aseptic conditions (10%)
  • Instrument processing (15%)
  • Asepsis procedures (15%)
  • Occupational safety (30%)

The Composition of GC (General Chairside) Exam

  • Collection and recording of clinical data (10%)
  • Chairside dental procedures (45%)
  • Chairside dental and lab materials (13%)
  • Patient education and oral health management (10%)
  • Prevention and management of patient emergencies (12%)
  • Office operations (10%)

The tests are administered at computer centers located in many different parts of North America.

 

Taking the CDA®  exams

As mentioned above, there are 3 exams you need to pass. The steps to registering and taking the exams are as follow:

 

Registration

  • Go to the Dental Assisting National Boards website, danb.org.
  • Find the section called Become Certified (at the top) and select the section called Exams and Certification (on the left).
  • Select CDA® exam . You will be directed to this page that shows you how to apply for the CDA® examinations.
  • As you can see, you need to check your eligibility foremost. Depending on your education and work experience, you may or not be qualified to apply for the CDA® examination of the DANB.
  • If you are qualified, click on the area in Step Two, called CDA Application Packet (PDF). You will then print the PDF and follow the instructions.

Fees

  • GC: $250 (if taken separately)
  • ICE®: $250 (if taken separately)
  • RHS®: $250 (if taken separately)

 

There are ways to save money, but that requires you to purchase multiple exams at once.

  • If all components are purchased at the same time: $425 (instead of 750).
  • If you register for the RHS + ICE at the same time, you can save, $325 (instead of $500).

 

Booking an exam date and center

  • Wait for your application to be processed. The DANB will notify you with instructions to schedule an examination with the test-center.
  • Once you receive the confirmation email, click on the area called Already applied? View your upcoming exams in my account.

 

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Note: SmarterDA Dental Assisting Exam Prep Solution will provide another tutorial for the registration of the Pearson Vue center.

  • Log in, or create an account.

 

Taking the exam(s)

  • You will receive an email confirmation from the Pearson Vue prior to the examination. Make sure that your name is spelled correctly.
  • The facilitators at the test centers will walk you through the process of taking the CDA® examination.
  • Note that there are other test-takers at the centers.

Waiting for the exam results

  • You will be notified via email that you passed or failed the examination. The results may take 1-2 months to arrive.
  • Click here to access the DANB website and download the application directly from their website.

 

Which states recognize the CDA®  title

Not every state in the United States requires you to become a CDA® to start working as a dental assistant. For example in California, you are required to take the RDA exam specific to the state of California.

The DANB has a fantastic guideline for each state’s requirements for the dental assistants. There is a drop-down menu for each state. Find the page called Meet state requirements and you will be able to read the comprehensive guideline.

However, the CDA® title may still be useful to provide extra credentials and enhance your chances of finding good employment. Also, if you are planning to move to a different state, the rules may be different. A CDA® title by the DANB may help you transfer your license with less hassle.

 

Advantages of having a CDA® certification

If your state requires you to be CDA®  certified, taking the DANB exam is a necessary step for you to start working. If your state does not require you to be CDA®  certified, the title still provides many benefits:

  • Higher pay: according to the DANB’s salary survey, those with certificates earn around $2 more per hour compared to dental assistants poor are not certified by the DANB.
  • Employer trust: employers put more trust in dental assistants who are certified as the title functions as a stamp of approval.
  • Patient trust: the patents rely on dental assistants to provide guidance and help. A certified dental assistant title becomes important when building patient rapport.
  • Mobility between states: relocation becomes easier to another state if you are already holding the certified dental assistant title.
  • Self-confidence: those who have gone through proper education and passed the CDA® exams are more likely to be knowledgeable and confident.

 

 

Happy Certified Dental Assistant

 

 

Preparing for CDA® exam

Traditionally, dental assisting students and dental assistants used different textbooks to study for the CDA® exams. There are additional online options available nowadays. Depending on your lifestyle and budget, you can find a solution that fits your needs.

 

Books

  • Textbooks used in a school setting such as Iannucci, Joen M., and Laura J. Howerton. Dental Radiography Principles and Techniques(with CD-ROM). 4th and 5th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier/Saunders, 2012 and 2017.
  • Modern Dental Assistant textbook
  • Mosby’s Dental Assisting Exam Review

 

Online options

  • DALE Foundation: an Online option that provides interactive material and quizzes.
  • SmarterDA: NEW option that provides everything the user needs to pass the exams (Condensed study notes + Quizzes + Full-length mock exam with timer)

 

Now get ready for the CDA® exams and become the professional you deserve to be!

 

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