Top 10 Dental Certifications

Certifications are important for a dental professional in the job market because they demonstrate a level of knowledge, competence and experience. Certifications provide employers with an assurance that the professional is qualified to perform certain tasks. They also help dental professionals stand out from their peers when applying for jobs and can open doors to new opportunities. Additionally, certifications provide recognition among colleagues and peers in the field, which can lead to further career advancement.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Dentals, and explains how they can contribute to a dental's career.

What are Dental Certifications?

Dental certification is a process of verifying that a dental professional has met the qualifications and standards necessary to practice dentistry. It is an important part of maintaining the quality of care provided by dentists and other dental professionals, as it ensures that they have the knowledge, expertise, and experience required to provide safe and effective treatment. Dental certification also helps protect patients from potential risks associated with unqualified or inexperienced practitioners.

Dental certification requires completion of a set of examinations developed by organizations such as the American Dental Association (ADA) or the National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE). These exams test a dentist’s knowledge in areas such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, radiology, and clinical procedures. In addition to passing these tests, most states also require applicants to complete continuing education courses in order to maintain their certification status.

The benefits of dental certification are numerous. It provides assurance that dentists have achieved the highest level of competency in their field; it instills confidence in patients that they are receiving quality care; and it serves as an endorsement for those seeking employment or advancement within the profession. Additionally, it can help reduce liability for dentists by providing evidence that they are qualified to practice safely and ethically. Finally, many insurance companies offer discounts on services provided by certified dentists due to their higher level of expertise.

Pro Tip: When considering a dental certification program, make sure to research the accreditation of the program and its curriculum. This will ensure that your certification is recognized by employers and will help you stand out as a qualified candidate in the field.

Related: What does a Dental do?

Top 10 Dental Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Dentals today.

1. Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)

A Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) is a dental professional who has completed a program of study and passed a certification exam to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the field of dentistry. The CDA credential is awarded by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB).

To become a CDA, individuals must complete an accredited dental assisting program that includes both classroom instruction and clinical experience. Depending on the program, this can take anywhere from nine months to two years to complete. Once the educational requirements have been met, individuals must then pass the DANB’s Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) examination.

The cost of becoming a CDA varies depending on the individual’s educational path and where they take their certification exam. Generally speaking, tuition for an accredited dental assisting program ranges from $2,000 - $5,000 and the cost of taking the CDA exam is approximately $250.

In addition to completing an accredited program and passing the CDA exam, individuals must also meet certain eligibility requirements such as being at least 18 years old and having current CPR certification.

2. Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA)

A Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) is a professional certification offered by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). It is designed to recognize orthodontic assistants who have achieved a high level of knowledge and skill in their profession. The COA credential demonstrates that an individual has met the AAO’s standards for excellence in orthodontic assisting.

To become a COA, individuals must complete at least two years of work experience as an orthodontic assistant, pass an exam administered by the AAO, and demonstrate ongoing commitment to continuing education. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as patient care, infection control, safety protocols, instrumentation and materials handling, practice management, and more.

The cost for the COA certification is $350 for members of the AAO and $450 for non-members. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with taking the exam such as travel expenses or study materials.

Once certified, individuals are required to renew their credential every three years by completing at least 30 hours of continuing education credits related to orthodontics.

3. Certified Dental Technician (CDT)

A Certified Dental Technician (CDT) is a professional who has completed a rigorous program of education and training in the field of dental technology. CDTs specialize in the fabrication of dentures, crowns, bridges, veneers, implants and other restorative devices for use by dentists and orthodontists. They also provide technical support to dental laboratories and assist with laboratory management.

It typically takes two to four years to become a certified dental technician. The first step is to complete an accredited dental technology program at a college or university. After completing the program, individuals must pass both written and practical examinations administered by the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology (NBC). Once certified, individuals must maintain their certification through continuing education courses every three years.

In order to get certified as a CDT, individuals must first complete an accredited dental technology program at a college or university. After completing the program, they must then pass both written and practical examinations administered by the NBC. The cost of becoming certified varies depending on where you take your classes and exams; however, it can range from $1,000 - $3,000 USD for tuition and fees associated with getting your certification.

4. Certified Endodontic Assistant (CEA)

Certified Endodontic Assistant (CEA) is a professional certification that recognizes the knowledge and skills of dental assistants who specialize in endodontics. It is offered by the American Association of Endodontists (AAE). To become certified, individuals must complete an AAE-approved course of study and pass a comprehensive exam.

The CEA program consists of two parts: a self-study course and an online exam. The self-study course covers topics such as anatomy and physiology, infection control, radiography, endodontic instruments, materials, and techniques. The online exam tests the candidate’s knowledge of these topics.

The cost to become certified varies depending on the provider offering the program. Generally speaking, it costs around $600 for the self-study course plus the cost of taking the online exam ($150). The entire process can take anywhere from three months to one year depending on how quickly you are able to complete the self-study course and take the online exam.

In order to maintain certification status, CEA holders must complete at least 15 hours of continuing education every three years.

5. Certified Pediatric Dental Assistant (CPDA)

Certified Pediatric Dental Assistant (CPDA) is a certification that recognizes the knowledge and skills of a dental assistant who works with children. The CPDA credential is offered by the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). To become certified, an individual must have at least two years of experience working in pediatric dentistry and pass an exam administered by the AAPD.

The CPDA exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as radiography, infection control, patient management, materials science, and dental anatomy. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete and must be taken at a testing center approved by the AAPD.

To apply for the CPDA certification, individuals must submit an application form along with proof of their two years of experience working in pediatric dentistry. The application fee is $250 for members of the AAPD and $300 for non-members. Once approved, applicants will receive instructions on how to register for the exam.

Individuals who successfully pass the CPDA exam will receive their official certificate within four to six weeks after taking the test. The certification is valid for five years and can be renewed by submitting proof of continuing education credits or retaking the exam.

6. Certified Public Health Dentist (CPHD)

A Certified Public Health Dentist (CPHD) is a dentist who has completed advanced training in public health and preventive dentistry. This certification is awarded by the American Board of Dental Public Health (ABDPH). The CPHD credential recognizes that the dentist has achieved an advanced level of knowledge and skill in the field of public health dentistry.

To become a CPHD, a dentist must have a dental degree from an accredited school, complete two years of post-doctoral training in public health dentistry, pass a written examination, and demonstrate proficiency in clinical practice. The written exam consists of both multiple choice questions and essay questions.

The process to become a CPHD typically takes three to five years depending on the individual’s educational background and experience. To get started, applicants must submit an application form to ABDPH along with supporting documents such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, and proof of clinical experience. Once accepted into the program, applicants must complete two years of post-doctoral training in public health dentistry at an accredited institution. After completing the program requirements, applicants must then take and pass the written examination administered by ABDPH.

The cost for becoming a CPHD varies depending on the individual’s educational background and experience. Generally speaking, there are fees associated with submitting applications to ABDPH as well as fees for taking the written examination. Additionally, there may be costs associated with completing post-doctoral training programs or obtaining additional certifications or credentials if required by ABDPH.

7. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) for Dental Professionals

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is an advanced, evidence-based course designed to teach dental professionals the skills and knowledge necessary to recognize and treat a wide range of life-threatening cardiac conditions. The course is typically 16 hours in length and covers topics such as airway management, basic life support, recognition and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, management of acute coronary syndromes, stroke prevention and treatment, resuscitation team dynamics, pharmacology, and more.

To obtain ACLS certification, dental professionals must complete a comprehensive training program that includes both classroom instruction and hands-on practice sessions. Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive a certificate from the American Heart Association (AHA).

The cost of obtaining ACLS certification varies depending on the provider. Generally speaking, courses can range anywhere from $200-$500 for the initial certification. Recertification courses are typically shorter in duration (8 hours) and cost less than initial certification courses.

Overall, ACLS certification is an important part of any dental professional’s career development. It provides them with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and respond to life-threatening cardiac events in their patients.

8. Certified Dental Laboratory Technician (CDLT)

A Certified Dental Laboratory Technician (CDLT) is a professional who has been trained to fabricate and repair dental prosthetics and appliances. These technicians are responsible for the construction of crowns, bridges, dentures, and other dental devices. They must have a thorough understanding of dental materials and techniques in order to create custom-made prosthetics that meet the patient’s needs.

In order to become a CDLT, one must complete an accredited program in dental laboratory technology. Programs typically take two years to complete and include courses such as anatomy, physiology, materials science, fabrication techniques, and more. Upon completion of the program, students must pass an examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology (NBCDLT).

The cost of becoming a CDLT varies depending on the institution offering the program. Generally speaking, tuition costs range from $6,000-$20,000 per year. Additional fees may also be required for books and supplies.

Once certified as a CDLT, individuals can work in private practices or laboratories across the country. They may also choose to pursue advanced certifications or specialize in certain areas such as orthodontics or maxillofacial prosthetics.

9. American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Certification

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) certification is a voluntary credentialing program for oral and maxillofacial surgeons. It is designed to recognize those who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery. The AAOMS certification process includes an examination, continuing education requirements, and peer review.

The AAOMS certification process takes approximately two years to complete. To become certified, applicants must first pass an examination that covers topics such as anatomy, pathology, diagnosis, treatment planning, surgical techniques, anesthesia administration, patient management, and medical ethics. After passing the exam, applicants must then complete a minimum of 50 hours of continuing education within the past three years in order to maintain their certification status. Finally, applicants must submit their credentials for review by peers in order to demonstrate their expertise in the field.

The cost of the AAOMS certification varies depending on the type of application submitted (initial or renewal). Initial applications typically cost around $1,200 while renewal applications cost around $800. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with taking the examination and completing required continuing education courses.

Overall, obtaining AAOMS certification is a rigorous process that requires dedication and commitment from those seeking it. However, once obtained it can serve as a valuable credential for oral and maxillofacial surgeons looking to demonstrate their expertise in their field.

10. National Board Dental Hygiene Examination

The National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) is a comprehensive examination that assesses the knowledge and skills of dental hygienists. It is administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE). The NBDHE is designed to measure the competency of entry-level dental hygienists in their ability to provide safe and effective patient care.

The NBDHE consists of two parts: a written exam and a clinical simulation exam. The written exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions, which cover topics such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, nutrition, and ethics. The clinical simulation exam consists of 30 questions that require the examinee to demonstrate their ability to apply their knowledge in a simulated clinical setting.

It typically takes around four hours to complete both the written and clinical simulation exams. To get the NBDHE, you must register with JCNDE online or by mail. You will need to submit your application form along with payment for the exam fee. The cost of taking the NBDHE varies depending on where you take it; however, it generally costs between $300-$400 USD.

Do You Really Need a Dental Certificate?

The answer to whether or not you need a dental certificate depends on the situation. A dental certificate is usually required when applying for certain types of jobs, such as a dental assistant or hygienist. It can also be used in certain medical situations, such as if you are applying for disability benefits due to a dental condition.

In some cases, you may need a dental certificate even if you do not plan on working in the field of dentistry. For example, some insurance companies may require proof of regular dental visits before they will provide coverage. Additionally, schools and universities may require students to submit a copy of their most recent dental certificate before enrolling in classes or programs.

It is important to note that many states have laws requiring children to receive routine dental care as part of their overall health care plan. If you are a parent, it is important to make sure that your child has received all necessary treatments and checkups before submitting any paperwork to the school or insurance company.

Overall, the decision about whether or not you need a dental certificate depends on your individual circumstances. In most cases, it is best to err on the side of caution and obtain one if necessary. This will ensure that all necessary documentation is in order and that your application process goes smoothly.

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FAQs About Dental Certifications

Q1. What is a dental certification?

A1. A dental certification is a credential earned by completing an accredited educational program and passing an examination that demonstrates knowledge and competency in the field of dentistry.

Q2. How do I become certified in dentistry?

A2. To become certified, you must complete an accredited educational program and pass an examination that demonstrates knowledge and competency in the field of dentistry.

Q3. What are the different types of dental certifications available?

A3. The American Dental Association currently offers 19 specialty certifications, including endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, public health dentistry and more.

Q4. How long does it take to get a dental certification?

A4. The amount of time it takes to become certified varies depending on the type of certification you are pursuing; however, most certifications require at least two years of specialized training beyond dental school followed by successful completion of an exam given by the American Dental Association or other accrediting body for that specialty area.

Q5. Are there any continuing education requirements for maintaining my certification?

A5: Yes - many certifying bodies require continuing education credits in order to maintain your certification status on an ongoing basis. These may include attending conferences or taking courses related to your specialty area or simply staying up-to-date with current trends in the industry through reading professional literature or attending lectures/webinars etc