Certification
Dental Assistant
Dental Assisting National Board
Median earnings
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Cost
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Duration
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Completion
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Earning dental assistant certification is an achievement to be proud of. Support your patients and your team. Show your professional commitment and demonstrate your knowledge
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Skills taught
Perform patient evaluation by assessing general physical condition, vital signs, health and dental histories, and diagnostic data while identifying head, neck, and oral cavity anatomy including tooth morphology, occlusion, and associated physiological systemsChart oral cavity conditions and maintain treatment documentation including patient consent, prescriptions, treatment records, and compliance in accordance with legal and regulatory requirementsRecognize and respond to medical emergencies and complications including neurological disorders, allergic reactions, respiratory conditions, cardiovascular disease, and endocrine conditions in the dental settingManage patient behavior and anxiety including pediatric and special needs patients while providing oral health education covering nutrition, fluoride, home care, caries management, and pre- and post-treatment instructionsMaintain legal records and comply with administrative regulations including OSHA, CDC, HIPAA, and state dental practice act requirements while managing inventory, equipment maintenance, and emergency kit readinessApply four-handed dentistry techniques including treatment room and tray preparation, patient seating and positioning, instrument transfer, and field of operation maintenance using dental dams and moisture control devicesAssist with intraoral procedures including restorations, crown and bridge, oral surgery, implants, extractions, nitrous oxide administration, and preventive procedures such as sealants, coronal polishing, and topical fluoride applicationSelect, mix, and apply dental materials including impression materials, operative materials, and laboratory materials for restorative, preventive, and prosthetic dental proceduresApply infection prevention principles including understanding disease transmission modes, reviewing medical histories for transmissible diseases, performing proper hand hygiene, and selecting and using PPE in the dental settingPrevent cross-contamination by cleaning and disinfecting treatment areas, preparing tray setups, maintaining dental unit waterlines, managing evacuation lines, disinfecting impressions and appliances, and disposing of biohazardous wasteProcess dental instruments and devices by transporting, packaging, sterilizing, storing, and monitoring sterilization equipment including interpreting biological indicator results and responding to equipment malfunctionsComply with occupational safety regulations including OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens and Hazard Communication Standards, CDC guidelines, and EPA and FDA requirements while maintaining infection control documentation and exposure control plansAcquire diagnostic dental images using paralleling, bisecting angle, and panoramic techniques while preparing patients, positioning equipment, applying technique modifications for anatomical variations, and correcting common radiographic errorsIdentify and interpret anatomical landmarks, pathological conditions, and restorative materials on dental radiographic images including periapical, bitewing, panoramic, occlusal, cephalometric, and CBCT imagesApply radiation physics and biology principles including factors affecting x-ray production, radiation characteristics, biological effects, and units of measurement to support safe and effective dental radiography practiceProtect patients and oral healthcare personnel from radiation exposure by applying ALARA principles, ADA and FDA guidelines, maximum permissible dose limits, appropriate shielding, filtration, collimation, and correct positioning and distance protocolsApply infection prevention and control standards during radiographic procedures including treatment room setup and breakdown, barrier techniques, surface disinfection, sterilization of instruments and equipment, hand hygiene, and PPE use per ADA, CDC, and OSHA guidelines