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