| Completing a Dental Assistant program can be the | | | | have completed your Dental Assistant Program. This |
| opportunity to explore a wonderful career in the field | | | | is a great time to do it because all of the information |
| of dentistry. While most states don't require licensing, | | | | is still fresh in your mind. You are also still in learning |
| obtaining your certification as a Dental Assistant will | | | | mode, so you should not suffer too much from test |
| give you and edge over the competition. This will | | | | anxiety. Those who test right after completing their |
| allow you to have a wide selection of employment | | | | Dental Assistant program score better on the test. |
| opportunities to choose from. Most Dental Assistants | | | | The longer you wait, they lower your score is likely |
| with a certificate find that they are paid more for | | | | to be. It is also less likely you will take the test once |
| their work than those Dental Assistants who have | | | | you have secured employment as a Dental Assistant. |
| not obtained licensing. | | | | In some states, Dental Assistants who have obtained |
| The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. set the | | | | the certification can perform various dental |
| standards for the Certified Dental Assistant, known | | | | procedures. This definitely makes you a greater |
| as CDA. The CDA exam is composed of three parts. | | | | asset to the dental facility you work for if your state |
| The General Chairside is a written test composed of | | | | offers this statute. This will also encourage employers |
| 120 multiple choice questions. The questions are | | | | in these states to hire you over other Dental |
| based on basic Dental Assistant fundamentals. The | | | | Assistants who are not certified. You will be worth |
| Infection Control segment is also a written portion. It | | | | more to the employer, so you will likely be offered |
| is composed of 100 multiple choice questions relating | | | | more pay and better benefits. |
| to information on various diseases, the risks, and | | | | For Dental Assistants, the decision to take the CDA |
| prevention methods. The last portion of the exam is | | | | is theirs to make. Since licensing is not a requirement, |
| the Health and Safety portion. This is a 100 question | | | | then many choose not to go through the test of |
| multiple choice section that is basically common sense | | | | taking another exam. However, there is nothing to |
| related. Some Nursing Assistants choose to take the | | | | lose because if you don't pass the test you are still |
| Certified Dental Assistant portion as well. This is a 210 | | | | qualified to be a Dental Assistant upon completion of |
| question multiple choice section. | | | | your program. However, the benefits of having an |
| To prepare for the CDA, review your text book and | | | | edge over the competition as well as the additional |
| notes from your Dental Assistant program. It is a | | | | pay for the same type of work are encouraging to |
| good idea to purchase a CDA study guide. You can | | | | proceed with taking the CDA. |
| form a study group with other students who will be | | | | CDA exams vary in cost by state. They are generally |
| taking the CDA exam. The internet also has many | | | | held monthly. You can obtain a schedule of CDA |
| free practice tests available. The exam is given in | | | | exams from your program instructor, your State |
| either a written form or computerized form. Nursing | | | | Dental Board, or from The Dental Assisting National |
| Assistant can choose the method they are most | | | | Board, Inc. They can also refer you to the best |
| comfortable with. | | | | materials to study for the CDA test based on the |
| To ensure you do the best possible on the CDA | | | | requirements of your state. |
| test, consider scheduling it immediately after you | | | | |