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  1. Programs
  3. Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant

Dental Assisting National Board

Certification

Become a contributor for free to openly demonstrate student outcomes, industry alignment & eligibility criteria.

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

Format

Hybrid

Eligibility Calculator

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Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

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Program Details

Detailed information about this program

DANB’s Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification is widely recognized and respected throughout the dental industry. More than 35,000 dental assistants hold this certification, which is recognized or required in many states across the country. The CDA certification is made up of three exams, which you can take separately or in a variety of combinations.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.

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Locations

Where this program is offered

No locations specified.

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Related Programs

Programs related to this one

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Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

  • 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 systems
  • Chart oral cavity conditions and maintain treatment documentation including patient consent, prescriptions, treatment records, and compliance in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements
  • Recognize and respond to medical emergencies and complications including neurological disorders, allergic reactions, respiratory conditions, cardiovascular disease, and endocrine conditions in the dental setting
  • Manage 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 instructions
  • Maintain 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 readiness
  • Apply 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 devices
Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

  • Dental Assistants31-9091.00
  • Medical Assistants31-9092.00
What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populated·from NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: developing (Level 2)(based on Certification)

  • Instrument trays and chairside materials — prepare and manage setup for multiple procedure types with minimal oversight in a busy general dentistry practice.
  • Electronic health record software — maintain accurate, complete patient treatment records and update medical histories routinely across a full patient schedule.
  • Dental diagnostic radiography equipment — expose full-mouth series and bitewing x-rays independently, applying appropriate technique adjustments for diverse patient anatomy.
  • Dental emergency response protocols — assist the dentist in managing common medical and dental emergencies such as syncope or allergic reactions using established office procedures.
  • Dental supply ordering systems and spreadsheet software — track inventory levels, generate purchase orders, and reconcile deliveries to maintain consistent clinical supply availability.
  • Postoperative care instructions — communicate procedure-specific recovery guidance clearly to patients with varying health literacy levels in a post-treatment setting.
  • Plaque control and oral hygiene education — instruct patients on individualized homecare programs, adapting explanations to age and oral health status in a preventive care context.
  • Patient vital signs data — interpret readings and flag abnormal values to the supervising dentist before treatment proceeds, applying knowledge of common medical contraindications.
  • Medical software and patient management platforms — navigate scheduling, billing support, and treatment records to ensure smooth daily clinic operations.
  • Active listening and social perceptiveness skills — recognize and respond to patient anxiety or discomfort during procedures, adjusting communication style to promote cooperation in the dental chair.

Some details on this page are auto-populated from public workforce data sources: O*NET (opens in new tab), BLS (opens in new tab), College Scorecard (opens in new tab), DOL Training Provider Results (opens in new tab), NSX (opens in new tab). Provided in partnership with LER.me Career Intelligence.

Student Outcomes

Performance metrics for this program

Completion Rate
Not reported
Placement Rate
Not reported