DANB's RHS Exam Now Required in Pennsylvania
Dental assistants in Pennsylvania are now required to pass DANB's Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam in order to meet state requirements to perform dental radiological procedures.
This makes a total of 37 states, plus Washington, D.C., that recognize or require dental assistants to pass one or more of DANB’s national exams in order to meet state dental assisting rules or regulations. 
The Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry’s requirement of DANB’s RHS exam brings the dental assisting profession one step closer to national uniformity of state dental board radiography requirements.
After passing DANB’s RHS exam, dental assistants must complete an application for authorization to perform dental radiological procedures, which can be found on the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry’s website.
The DANB-Pennsylvania RHS agreement went into effect on June 9, and in July, DANB will begin issuing monthly reports of passing RHS candidates in Pennsylvania to this state’s dental board. Dentists and employers from across the United States can call DANB to verify if a dental assistant has passed the RHS exam. Dental assistants who are already authorized by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry to perform radiological procedures, or who have already passed DANB’s RHS exam, do not need to retest. All who have not yet submitted the application required by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry, as noted above, must do so.
For more information on DANB’s RHS exam, download an RHS exam application or call 1-800-FOR-DANB.
For information on dental assisting regulations in Pennsylvania, visit DANB's State Information page, see the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry website or call 717-783-7162.
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About DANB
DANB is the nationally recognized premier certification and credentialing
agency for dental assistants. Since 1948, the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB), a nonprofit organization,
has played a vital role in the oral healthcare community. Recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA)
as the national credentialing agency for dental assistants, DANB serves the public good by providing a means of
identifying qualified and competent dental assistants and by measuring and promoting excellence
in oral healthcare delivery. DANB exam programs are accredited by the National Commission for
Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
As a Mark of Dental Assisting Excellence™, DANB Certification is a source of pride for those who achieve it. For those dental assistants who meet the eligibility and exam requirements, certification may be earned in one or more of the following areas: • Certified Dental Assistant – CDA®
• Certified Orthodontic Assistant – COA®
In addition to these national credentials, DANB offers Certificates of Competency in Radiation Health and Safety (RHS®) and Infection Control (ICE®). Passing either or both of these exams allows a dental assistant to demonstrate competence in these two areas that are very important to the health and safety of oral healthcare workers and patients alike. The RHS and ICE exams are components of the CDA exam. ICE is also a component of the COA exam. Individuals have the opportunity to take these components separately and earn separate certificates, which make an impressive demonstration of personal achievement.
To learn more about credentialing, please read: The NOCA Guide to Understanding Credentialing Concepts
DANB is a member of the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA). The National Commission For Certifying Agencies (NCCA), a NOCA Commission with responsibility for accrediting credentialing programs, has evaluated DANB national certification exam programs, (CDA, COA, CDPMA and COMSA), including DANB component exams (RHS, ICE, GC and OA) and found DANB programs meet NCCA’s highest standards, thus helping to assure validity, reliability, and objectivity in the testing process. DANB Executive Director Cynthia C. Durley, MEd, MBA, completed a six-year term on the NCCA, (Chair in 2003 and 2004) and is currently NOCA’s President.
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DANB News
June 2009
Call for Comments on Recertification Requirements
DANB's Board of Directors will be reviewing and possibly revising DANB's
Recertification Requirements at DANB's August Board of Directors Meeting. DANB Certified Assistants are invited to take this short Recertification Requirements survey to submit comments online. Or download the survey to mail or fax in comments. View the latest
version of the Recertification Requirements.
Special CDA Exam Administration Offered in Ohio!
DANB will offer a special administration of the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam on Saturday, August 29, 2009 in conjunction with the Ohio Dental Association Annual Session, held August 27-30 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.
There are 20 spots available and the deadline to submit your application is Friday, July 31, 2009. Download the ODA CDA exam application for complete details and instructions or call 1-800-FOR-DANB.
DANB Launches CDA/GC Exam Pilot Pathway!
In January 2010, DANB will initiate a three-year pilot study of a new exam pathway, called the CDA/GC Exam Pilot Pathway. This three-year pilot study will end 12/31/12. During the three-year study, DANB will accept CDA/GC exam applications from graduates of DANB-approved dental assisting vocational-technical programs who have one year of work experience.
Voctech program directors can download the participation forms for DANB's CDA/GC Exam Pilot Pathway or call 1-800-FOR-DANB x419 if you have any questions.
The 2008 DANB Certificant Salary Survey
See the results!
State Dental Assisting Requirements
Information on state dental assisting requirements, state recognition of DANB exams, and allowed dental assisting functions and is now available on DANB's State Specific Information Page.
Benefits of DANB Certification:
- Personal Growth and Satisfaction
- Greater Earning Power
- Enhanced Employment Opportunities
- Peer Recognition
- Compliance with State Requirements
- Career Mobility
- Broadened Responsibilities
- And more!
Press Releases
06/18/09 - DANB's RHS Exam Now Required in Pennsylvania
06/16/09 - DANB to Administer CDA Exam at ODA Annual Session
04/08/09 - New DANB-approved CPR Guidelines
Contact DANB
Brenda Fell , CDA, CDPMA
Chair, DANB Board of Directors
Cynthia C. Durley, MEd, MBA
Executive Director
Mary GiaQuinta
Director of Marketing and Communications
312-280-3415
Address:
444 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 900 Chicago, Illinois 60611
Telephone:
1-800-FOR-DANB
(or 312-642-3368)
Fax:
312-642-1475
E-mail:
Click here to send e-mail to DANB
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