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