Certified Press Measuring Dental Assisting Excellence TM Vol. 30, Issue 1 l Winter 2011

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1 Certified Press Measuring Dental Assisting Excellence TM Vol. 30, Issue 1 l Winter 2011 DANB CDAs Report Rising Salaries DANB s 2010 Salary Survey results are in, and the survey shows that DANB Certified Dental Assistants (CDA) continue to earn more and stay in the profession longer than non-certified assistants. DANB s results are based on a 17 percent response rate to its survey of a national sample of CDAs. (DANB targeted a 10 percent response rate to be able to generalize results to the full CDA population.) According to the survey, DANB CDAs who work full-time (73 percent) report a median salary of $18.73, which is up $0.73 from The median salary for full- and part-time DANB CDAs is $18.50 $2.04 higher than non-certified assistants, who earn $16.46 per hour, according to adjusted figures from a May 2009 Bureau of Labor Statistics survey. I believe DANB Certification has everything to do with my wage, according to one respondent, who notes that she went from making $15 to $19 within the last year. I believe with the confidence in my knowledge and abilities that I gained from being DANB Certified, I always worked a little harder, pushed a little further, and feel very successful. Many DANB Certificants share the results of the salary survey with their employer when asking for a raise. Thanks to your survey I was able to show it to my dentist and get the recognition I deserved, one DANB CDA said. Thank you for doing this! Self-gratification (87 percent) and pride (78 percent) are once again top reasons DANB Certificants maintain their certification. I am so proud to have earned my CDA; it has made a world of difference in my career, one Certificant says. I truly believe every assistant should be DANB Certified. DALE Foundation News The Dental Auxiliary Learning and Education (DALE) Foundation and DANB are proud to introduce the latest e-learning course for the dental team. Scheduled for release in January 2011, DANB s Assessment-Based Certificate Program (ABCP): Human Resources Fundamentals is an online, interactive course intended for dental owners, dental office managers and other personnel within dental offices who are involved with the overall management of dental staff. To purchase DANB s ABCP: Human Resources Fundamentals, visit Median* Salary Per Hour DANB CDAs $18.50 vs. Non-Certified Assistants $16.46** * The median is defined as the point at which 50 percent of the data fall above and 50 percent fall below. ** Adjusted 2009 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics When Danielle Dailey walked across the stage on Oct. 23 at the 6th Annual Dental Office Managers Conference, it was the first time in years that she had worn a cap and gown. Dailey was one of 47 American Association of Dental Office Managers (AADOM) members who earned Fellowship and participated in the convocation ceremony at the conference in Las Vegas. Some of my work family was at the ceremony, which made it even more special for me, she notes. Walking across the stage with a room full of family and friends looking at you was emotional and special. As part of the ceremony for this first class of Fellows of the American Association of Dental Office Managers (FAADOM), DANB s Executive Director Cindy Durley Employer recognition is another benefit of DANB Certification, according to 55 percent of respondents. As one CDA says, Having your boss or a co-worker say a genuine thank you for helping me today or good job means more to me than anything. Nearly half (48 percent) of survey respondents believe that DANB Certification elevates the profession. DANB CDAs tend to stay in the profession longer and have more loyalty toward their employers. According to the 2010 survey results, DANB CDAs have been in their current positions for an average of 8.7 years and in the profession an average of 15.7 years. As one respondent notes, After working several years at the same office you become like family; it s no longer about the money or benefits but a genuine feeling of caring for each other and seeing our families grow up together. Another CDA echoes the same sentiment. I work with a very nice dentist and even if I was offered more elsewhere, I am committed to this doctor who I have worked with for nine years. Beyond higher wages, DANB CDAs reported benefits such as 401(k)/pension plan (61 percent) free dental care (56 percent), health insurance (54 percent), reimbursement for CDE (52 percent), and reimbursement for certification or state registration renewal (30 percent). Patient respect for credentials (45 percent) and recognition in the dental community (41 percent) are also at the top of the list. Certification is good for both the assistant and the patients as it requires extensive knowledge to pass the exams and that knowledge allows us to provide the best care for the patients, one DANB CDA says. DANB s ABCP: Human Resources Fundamentals Now Available Emotions High at First FAADOM Convocation Ceremony Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. By the end of the course, learners will be able to: Identify elements in planning for current and future staff, and dental office human resource needs Analyze staffing needs as they relate to office structure and develop clear job descriptions Identify legal issues in human resources related to planning, recruitment, hiring, benefits, compensation, performance review, termination and employee records management Recognize components in the interviewing and hiring process Identify elements of employee benefit and compensation plans Understand the contents and proper management of an employee record Identify components of staff orientation, ongoing staff training and performance reviews Understand the importance of a legally sound employee handbook/policy and Chief Operating Officer Liz Koch were invited by AADOM to congratulate and participate in awarding each new Fellow with her FAADOM distinction. Each Fellow received a cap and gown, award plaque, FAA- DOM ribbon and business cards imprinted with their FAADOM designation. The ceremony was very emotional, AADOM President Heather Colicchio explains. For some this was the first time they were wearing a cap and gown. Families filled the crowd to watch their loved ones receive their distinction. I have had the opportunity to get to know AADOM members on a more personal level and I m very grateful for that. AADOM Fellows are the best of the best. Cont d. on page 6 Survey respondents noted that DANB Certification gave them career mobility. My life as a CDA is very fulfilling, one respondent said. Being a military spouse, my CDA credentials made it a lot easier to seek employment in the many states we were transferred to. There were some times I had employment before we arrived in the new state. DANB CDAs cited potential for more duties as a benefit of DANB Certification, noting that they often take on responsibilities such as infection control; laboratory functions; expanded duties, as allowed in their respective states; and providing in-office training to other staff. In addition to the professional benefits of certification, many DANB Certificants strongly believed in the important role that DANB Certification plays in patient safety and public protection. I would like to see more state dental boards require DANB Certification to practice as a dental assistant in the state in which they live, one CDA notes. All states should require certification in order to protect the public, another Certificant added. Although each state has different requirements for dental assistants, earning and maintaining DANB Certification demonstrates a commitment to lifelong learning, and is an objective measure of dental assisting knowledge and abilities. Even if it is not required by the state, DANB Certification is a professional status that is recognized and respected in the industry. There are DANB Certified Assistants in every state, ranging from hundreds to thousands, totaling over 33,000 DANB Certificants nationwide. As Marilyn Copeland, CDA, puts it, Thank you for keeping the bar high and providing a way to measure our knowledge in Infection Control, Radiation Health and Safety, and General Chairside. I m a proud DANB CDA. Cont d. on page 7 DANB S ABCP: Human Resources Fundamentals is the second ABCP on dental office management topics and the fourth e-learning course in DANB s catalog. Additional online offerings from DANB and the DALE Foundation include DANB s ABCP: Accounts Receivable, DANB s Radiation Health and Safety Review Course, and DANB s Conventional Dental Radiography Review Course. DANB s Infection Control Review Course will be available in spring All online courses can be purchased at The DALE Foundation was incorporated in March 2010 as a DANB-affiliated, but separately incorporated, nonprofit foundation. The DALE Foundation was formed to benefit the public by providing quality education and conducting sound research to promote oral health. Current e-learning offerings are branded under DANB. Rebranding of these e-learning offerings, unveiling its website, and launch of the DALE Foundation to the public is expected to occur by spring of The first class of AADOM Fellows celebrates its achievement at the 6th Annual Dental Office Managers Conference. CDA l COA l COPA l CDPMA l COMSA

2 Word from the Chair Richard Hunt III, D.D.S., Chair, DANB Board of Directors 2 Happy New Year! With the holiday season behind us and a new year in front of us, it s naturally a time for reflection and goal setting. A new year marks a chance to start fresh, or to continue even further down an already established path. At DANB, we re doing a little of both. DANB will launch our new website early this year, and I m confident that visitors will be impressed with the new design and expanded functionality. DANB is also excited about reaching a new milestone. For the first time in DANB history, there are consistently more than 33,000 DANB Certified Assistants who have earned and renewed their DANB Certifications. Congratulations and special thanks to all DANB Certificants who continue to renew their certification(s) and demonstrate their commitment to professionalism. Ladies in Attendance By Kerry K. Carney, D.D.S. Someone sent me a YouTube link to a film from pre earthquake San Francisco. The camera was secured to the front of a streetcar traveling down Market Street. It is a long, real-time trip down the thoroughfare to the turnaround at the Ferry Building. I have watched it several times. The feeling of being there is uncanny. It is a different world. Traffic laws appear nonexistent or universally ignored. Automobiles, horse-drawn carts and pedestrians move in any direction they please. Several vehicular accidents miraculously do not occur and more than one pedestrian barely escapes with his life. It is a world of men and boys, with only rarely the occasional woman. It is four years into the Edwardian period and six years before California would grant women the right to vote. It is a haberdasher s paradise as almost everyone is wearing a hat of some kind. It is the kind of world in which Dr. C. Edmund Kells would have felt right at home. Dr. Kells was born in the family home on Canal Street in New Orleans in His father was a dentist and Eddie followed in his footsteps. He graduated from the New York Dental College in 1878 and returned to New Orleans to practice with his father. While he was studying in New York, he became fascinated with electricity and visited Thomas Edison s laboratory. He had a curious and innovative mind that kept him at the forefront of dentistry. His practice and techniques were often considered controversial. The electric drill had been previously introduced into the practice of dentistry but it was run on batteries and was too cumbersome to be adopted by many. Dr. Kells wired his own office and was the first to run a drill from current connected to the street current. He used the street current to provide light for his operatory. It was not the high-intensity light we employ today but it allowed illumination not dependent on gaslight or the sunlight from an open window. Dr. Kells was an inventor who held more than 30 patents covering a diverse array of inventions. He held patents for a fire extinguisher, a fire alarm, an automobile jack, an electric thermostat, an automobile engine starter, an elevator starter and brake, and compressed air for use in dental operations. He promoted restoring the pulpless tooth and developed instruments for measuring and filling root canals. Though documentation is questionable, he is generally given credit for taking the first dental radiograph on a live patient. This was no mean feat. He read about Dr. Wilhelm Roentgen s x-ray experiments in Germany and built his own machine for clinical use. The procedure took 15 minutes of exposure and required the fabrication of intraoral-sized film, an intra-oral holder and the first attenuating filter (a thin piece of wood used to stabilize the head). His patents also included a processing or developing unit. The invention that has had perhaps the greatest impact on dental and medical surgery was the electric suction pump. You need to have the suction go down only once during a dental procedure to appreciate, personally, the importance of Dr. Kells contributions to your everyday practice. Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. Some of the activities at DANB are continuations of exciting projects that are already in the works. As you will read on page 1, DANB has introduced its fourth e-learning course, DANB s ABCP: Human Resources Fundamentals. DANB has also published the results of one of its most highly anticipated surveys: DANB s 2010 Salary Survey. Please turn to page 1 to see the full results and find out how much DANB Certificants across the country report earning. Survey results continue to demonstrate that DANB Certificants earn more, on average, than their non-certified colleagues, remain in the profession longer, and remain loyal to their dental practice and employer. DANB Certificants are career professionals, and that is a win-win-win for Certificants, their employers and the patients they serve. The new year is a perfect time to take on something new in your own career as well. Perhaps you would like to introduce a new activity for patients, as Diane Chandler did on page 7. Another noble goal is to In the history of dental assisting, Dr. Kells is attributed the honor of having hired the first dental assistant. The facts supporting this claim are not so absolute. It seems that men were the first assistants. Dr. Kells is said to have seen or heard of colleagues in the metropolitan areas of New York and Chicago who advertised a lady in attendance to reassure women of the propriety of seeking dental care in such an office. In 1885, Mrs. Kells was his assistant, and he could advertise a lady in attendance in his office. By 1895, Dr. Kells hired another female assistant. Eventually, Dr. Kells hired Malvina Cueria, who is considered, by some sources, to be the first female dental assistant of modern history. Dr. Kells recognized the need to overcome the prevailing social norms to make dental care accessible for women who could not be accompanied by a chaperone. His move to incorporate women into his practice was an example of his innovative thought. He was using the assistant to bridge a gender gap just like many practices use assistants today to bridge cultural and linguistic gaps. The obvious economic advantage of increasing the patient base for his practice did not go unnoticed. Initially, the senior Dr. Kells found his son s working alongside a woman inappropriate, but, like his other colleagues, he soon realized the advantages and also hired female assistants. Dr. Kells went on to become a great advocate for the incorporation of dental auxiliaries into the dental practice. He recognized the efficiencies that auxiliaries could facilitate. He is quoted as having said, The lady assistant is one of the dental institutions of the day and is due to survive as long as dentistry lives. The lady assistant is absolutely essential to the modern dental office (Journal of the History of Dentistry, July 2000). During 2003 to 2007, the average number of chairside assistants per dentist in the primary private practice of independent dentists hovered around 1.6 (2008 Survey of Dental Practice, ADA Survey Center). Specialists during that same time employed an average of 2.6 chairside assistants. One comparison of gross billings per practice hour showed that the mean figure for those dentists with no assistant was $ The mean for those dentists with one chairside assistant was $300.51; for those with two chairsides assistants, the mean figure was $ The obvious improvements in efficiency in the dental delivery system resulted in grants to dental schools to promote dental auxiliary utilization, DAU. Even in this economic downturn, a recent Internet posting of the 20 fastest-growing occupations included dental assistants (AOL Jobs, March 27). Productivity aside, the increased emphasis on universal precautions and recognition of the need to maintain sterile techniques make practicing without an assistant almost as difficult as performing surgery in the operating room without a surgical nurse. Some say the relationship we enjoy with the members of our practice team is the single, most important element in a successful practice. Efficiency, productivity, issues of sterilization and bridging the cultural gap are of major importance, but working with great assistants simply makes my life much nicer. Their ability to anticipate my needs, eliminate schedule log jams, make Congratulations to Emeritus Certificants Aug.1, Oct. 31, 2010 Name/State Certification Year Beverly Connors CDA-Emeritus; MA 1984 Sandra Denz Wade, COMSA-Emeritus; CT 1984 Jeraldine Gummere, CDA-Emeritus; FL 1990 Garnet Mader, CDA-Emeritus; IA 1964 Susan McCreedy, CDA, COA-Emeritus; NJ 1989 Nancy Morrison, COA-Emeritus; IN 1988 Patricia Springfield, CDA-Emeritus; NY 1998 Ruth Staack, CDA-Emeritus; OK 1984 Linda Zweifel, CDA-Emeritus; CA 1971 continue to encourage your non-certified colleagues to take a DANB exam. Dr. Kerry Carney s article on page 2 eloquently explains how the role of dental assistants is constantly evolving. Now it s up to the entire dental team to establish new goals each year in order to continue to enhance the quality of oral healthcare. I hope the new year will bring health and happiness to all. With warm regards patients comfortable and take the initiative in improving office teamwork are skills that I appreciate every day. I imagine as I watch that 1905 film that if the resolution were a bit better, I might be able to see a sign in the window of a dental office on Market Street. It might read, Lady in Attendance, and I could witness an early indicator of the dental team that Dr. C. Edmund Kells championed more than a century ago. Dr. Carney is the editor of the Journal of the California Dental Association. This article originally appeared in the June 2010 issue. Copyright 2010, California Dental Association. Reprinted by permission. From a Lady in Attendance to A Dental Team Dr. Kells was a pioneer in his time, but today, the notion of advertising a lady in attendance is quite outdated, not to mention illegal. Although women have traditionally dominated the dental assisting field, more men are entering the profession. The U.S. Department of Labor defines a nontraditional occupation as one in which 25 percent or less of a particular gender works. By that definition, dental assisting is considered a nontraditional job for men. However, in a 2007 report, CNN ranked dental assisting as one of the top nontraditional jobs for men especially given the prediction of job growth in the field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 36 percent increase in available dental assistant positions between 2008 and Dental assisting opportunities in the armed forces further increase the popularity of this career for men. In fact, the American Dental Assistants Association s president was Stephen Spadaro, who served as a dental professional for 30 years in the U.S. Army. Spadero was the first male ADAA president in the organization s history. By the same token, per the U.S. Department of Labor s definition, dentistry would be a nontraditional career for women with woman making up only 19 percent of U.S. dentists. However, the American Dental Association (ADA) predicts that by 2020, women will make up 28 percent of working dentists. This shift is expected to happen because a large percent of dentists are nearing retirement (the average age of dentists in the U.S. is about 50, according to the ADA), coupled with the fact that enrollment of women in U.S. dental schools is now at over 40 percent. The face of the dental team is changing, albeit slowly. Dr. Kerry Carney, practicing general dentist in California and editor of the Journal of the California Dental Association, notes she has seen perceptions shift throughout her career. When I was in dental school, one of my good friends told me he could not imagine working with a male assistant. Today he works with and appreciates greatly his male dental assistant, she says. The changes in ethnic diversity and gender parity have been good for the profession, the public and the dental team. The core of a successful practice is not about gender, but a strong dental team where everyone works together and respects each other. In her practice, Dr. Carney says a great assistant is one who looks for ways to make everyone s job run more smoothly. It takes a team to provide the best possible care for every patient, she concludes. CDA l COA l COPA l CDPMA l COMSA

3 DANB News Winter 2011 DANB to Solicit Communities of Interest for Feedback on Proposed Pilot Pathway Study DANB recognizes Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)-accredited dental assisting programs as the gold standard for dental assistant education. Graduates of CODA-accredited dental assisting programs are qualified to apply to take DANB s full Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam or the General Chairside (GC) component of the CDA exam either upon graduation from the CODA-accredited program or, with program director permission, as many as 60 days prior to graduation, if all dental assisting program requirements will be met by the test date. DANB acknowledges that individuals who have completed full academic year dental assisting programs (CODA-accredited or not) are not precluded from working as dental assistants in any state. However, in order to advance in their dental assisting careers, DANB recognizes that these non-coda-accredited program graduates have spent significant time and money on their education, but may be no closer to being eligible to take DANB s CDA or GC exams, especially if they have no work experience to meet DANB CDA/GC exam eligibility requirements through Pathway II, the on-the-job-trained pathway. Therefore, at the request of the North Dakota Board of Dental Examiners and the New York State Society of Orthodontists, and as an incentive for these individuals to remain in the dental assisting field and provide some type of credit for the time spent in these full academic year non-coda-accredited programs, at the August 2008 DANB Board meeting, DANB s Board of Directors approved a proposed pilot study of a new eligibility pathway for those wishing to take the full CDA exam or the GC component of the CDA. If DANB decides to initiate the proposed pilot study, it will do so to determine if these individuals can apply their one year of schooling toward meeting DANB s 3,500 hours (24 months fulltime or between 24 and 48 months part-time) of dental assisting work experience required through CDA/GC exam eligibility Pathway II. Under this pilot study proposal, individuals who wish to participate in the three-year study must complete a dental assisting program that meets all these criteria: Be housed within an institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency, and Be at least one academic year in length (24 semester or trimester hours, 36 quarter hours, or 900 clock hours), and At least one third of the required semester, trimester, quarter or clock hours must be clinical, and Present a comprehensive dental assisting curriculum that teaches the content areas addressing all core duties performed by dental assistants, such as those addressed in the CODA Standards for the Accreditation of Dental Assisting Programs. Dental assisting students who graduate from programs that meet the above criteria would be required to meet these eligibility prerequisites to be considered qualified by DANB to participate in the proposed pilot study: Graduate from high school or equivalent, and Graduate or complete a DANB-accepted vocational-technical dental assisting program that meets the above criteria, and Complete a minimum of one year of continuous full time work experience (at least 1,750 hours) as a dental assistant, and Hold DANB-accepted CPR certification. DANB reported its intention to conduct this proposed pilot study to the American Dental Association s (ADA) Council on Dental Education and Licensure (CDEL) in 2008 and In an attempt to ensure understanding of the history and considerations related to this pilot study proposal, DANB s Board asked ADA s CDEL and Council on Dental Practice (CDP) for time to discuss this and other topics of potential ADA interest in the spring of DANB s then-chair, Dr. Howard C. Bell, Director; and Past Chair Carla Schneider, CDA, RDA; and Executive Director Cindy Durley presented information on the history of this proposal to CDEL in person on April 30, Bell and Durley also presented this information to the ADA s Council on Dental Practice on May 13, Following discussion among DANB s Board regarding any feedback on this pilot study proposal received from CDEL on April 30, 2010 and CDP on May 13, 2010, at its August 2010 meeting, DANB s Board of Directors voted to solicit feedback on the proposed CDA/GC exam pilot study, and to provide this feedback for consideration by CDEL, based on requirements defined by CDEL s Criteria for Recognition of a Certifying Board for Dental Assistants. DANB s Board voted to solicit feedback from the following communities of interest: American Dental Association Council on Dental Education and Licensure Council on Dental Practice Constituent dental associations/societies Commission on Dental Accreditation American Dental Education Association American Dental Assistants Association American Association of Dental Boards (formerly American Association of Dental Examiners) State dental boards DANB mailed solicitations to communities of interest in November and requested that feedback be provided to DANB by July 1, DANB s Board will review this feedback at the August 2011 Board meeting and present information related to the feedback in DANB s 2011 Annual Report to CDEL, due Oct. 1, DANB s Board of Directors will consider these two factors before determining whether to apply to CDEL in October 2011 for approval of this proposed study: 1. Responses to the proposal from DANB s communities of interest (as required by and including CDEL), and 2. Likelihood that a sufficient number of dental assistants (that is, a minimum of 150 GC exam candidates who meet the pilot conditions) will take DANB s GC exam during the proposed three-year pilot study to allow DANB to generalize pass/fail data from this exam candidate sample, to the pilot pathway population. If these two factors above are met and DANB decides to move forward with this CDA/GC exam pilot study proposal, the actual dates of the study, if initiated, would begin no earlier than January Record Number of DANB Certificants DANB is proud to announce there are now more than 33,000 DANB Certificants! Earning and maintaining DANB Certification is a source of pride and professionalism. If you are DANB Certified, wear your lapel pin proudly! And, be sure to earn CDE credits throughout the year to meet DANB s Recertification Requirements. DANB congratulates all DANB Certificants on their continued commitment to dental assisting excellence! DANB recognizes Certificant anniversaries every five years through DANB s recognition program. Visit www. danb.org to learn more. Call for Stories of Excellence Dental Assistants Recognition Week (DARW) is approaching, and DANB wants to hear how you plan to celebrate! Share your stories of recognizing dental assisting excellence, and we ll feature them in the spring issue! your news to haronovich@danb.org or call , ext DARW is a joint effort of the American Dental Assistants Association, the American Dental Association, the Canadian Dental Assistants Association and the Canadian Dental Association. To learn more, visit www. dentalassistant.org or DANB to Launch New Website In 2011, visitors to DANB s website at will see a whole new look. DANB hopes that the new website will make it even easier for visitors to find all of the important information they are looking for. Visitors to DANB s website will be able to create an account in the My Account section. Certificants who create an account can see their exam and certification history, update their information online, and manage their renewal. Questions or comments can be directed to or ed to communications@ danb.org. DANB s Exam Program Performance Remains Strong The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) values its recognition by the American Dental Association (ADA) as the national certification organization for dental assistants. In order to maintain this recognition, DANB s exam programs regularly undergo review. On Oct. 1, 2010, DANB submitted its Annual Report to assist the Council on Dental Education and Licensure (CDEL) of the ADA in determining if DANB continues to meet the ADA s Criteria for Recognition of a Certification Board for Dental Assistants, as approved by the 1989 ADA House of Delegates. In the 2009 CDEL report, DANB announced that effective Jan. 1, 2010, it will eliminate all written national exam test dates. This decision was made to enhance exam security and because of the low number of candidates who take written DANB exams. DANB s fiscal year (FY) spans from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31. Of the 16,386 dental assistants who tested with DANB in FY 08-09, only 58 tested in the written format. In FY 09-10, 96 percent of the nearly 20,000 candidates tested, took a DANB exam on computer. DANB offers select statespecific exams in written format at the request of that state s dental board. Pathway Pass Rates Overview At the Board s Aug , 2010, meeting, DANB Directors reviewed passing rate comparison results for Vol. 30, Issue 1 l Winter 2011 the two primary Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)/General Chairside (GC) exam eligibility pathways. Pathway I is for candidates who are graduates of CODAaccredited dental assisting programs, and Pathway II is for candidates who are on-the-job trained, with at least 3,500 hours of dental assisting work experience acquired over a 24- to 48-month period. Performance data have been compared each year since Since the newly calibrated version of the GC item bank was published on April 1, 2006, the overall passing percentage for the GC component exam has been 85 percent through March 31, CDA/GC Pathway I candidates pass at a rate just slightly higher than 85 percent, while CDA/GC Pathway II candidates pass at a rate just slightly lower than 85 percent, but across the last two-plus years, the average GC exam passing rate has remained stable at 85 percent. Pass/Fail Results for DANB National Exams To earn DANB s CDA Certification, candidates must pass all three component exams (General Chairside [GC], Radiation Health and Safety [RHS] and Infection Control [ICE]) within a five-year period. To earn DANB s COA Certification, candidates must pass the two component exams (Orthodontic Assisting [OA] and Infection Control [ICE]) within a five-year period. The pass rates for the CDA and Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) exams reflect those candidates who sat for the full exam in one sitting. Therefore, the CDA and COA exam pass rates reflect those who passed all three CDA exam components (GC, RHS and ICE) at one time, or both COA exam components (OA and ICE) at one time. Those who passed only one or two components of the CDA exam or one component of the COA exam are reflected in the fail percentage. The candidate volumes and pass rates for GC, RHS and ICE reflect only those candidates who took these exams separately, not as part of the full CDA exam. Content validation studies are conducted approximately every five years to ensure that DANB exams continue to reflect current dental assisting practice, such as core duties, dental materials, procedures and equipment. DANB s national exam blueprints (i.e., test outlines) are based on the results of these periodic studies. A content validation study for the OA exam was completed in FY A content validation study for the ICE exam was completed in FY 09-10, and content validation studies for the RHS and ICE exams will be completed in FY From FY to FY 09-10, DANB experienced a 19 percent overall increase in exam candidates, a 21 percent increase in national exam candidates and a 7 percent increase in state-specific exam candidates. Cont d. on page 4 3

4 Certification Matters Exam Program Performance (cont d.) As of Sept. 30, 2010, DANB has 32,396 CDAs, 1,421 COAs, 373 Certified Dental Practice Management Administrators (CDPMAs), and 217 Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Assistants (COMSAs), for a total of 34,407 individual Certifications, held by 33,713 current DANB Certificants. Pass/Fail Results of DANB National Exams (paper and computer administration) CDA* FY FY Total Candidates Pass Fail Pass Rate 72%* 73%* GC only FY FY Total Candidates Pass Fail Pass Rate 85% 85% RHS only FY FY Total Candidates Pass Fail Pass Rate 74% 72% ICE only FY FY Total Candidates Pass Fail Pass Rate 80% 82% RHS/ICE** FY FY Total Candidates n/a 124 Pass n/a 69 Fail n/a 55 Pass Rate n/a 56%** COA* FY FY Total Candidates Pass Fail Pass Rate 56%* 52%* OA only FY FY Total Candidates Pass Fail 5 7 Pass Rate 89% 77% * The CDA pass rate reflects those passed all three of the CDA component exams (RHS, ICE, and GC) in one exam administration. The COA pass rate reflects those who passed both COA component exams (OA and ICE) in one exam administration. ** As of April 2010, DANB allows candidates to apply for the RHS and ICE exam, taken together in the same administration, for a reduced fee. The number passing (69) reflects the number of candidates passing both the RHS and ICE exam components of the RHS/ICE in the same administration. Of these 124 total RHS/ICE candidates, 93 passed RHS, 76 passed ICE and 69 passed both exams. DANB s 2011 Recertification Requirements DANB Exam and Renewal Fee Increases As a reminder, at the August 2009 Annual Meeting, DANB s Board of Directors approved moderate exam fee increases scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2011, and a small renewal fee increase to take effect Jan. 1, DANB has not raised exam fees since 2006, or renewal fees since Therefore, these increases were approved to keep up with the always-increasing cost of doing business. DANB will continue to accept applications from the 2010 Candidate Guide with the 2010 exam fees through March 31, As of Jan. 1, 2011, DANB exam fees will be: Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) $375 Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) $375 General Chairside Assisting (GC) $200 Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) $175 Infection Control (ICE) $175 Combination RHS/ICE $250 Orthodontic Assisting (OA) $250 In 2012, renewal fees will be $60, effective with Certificants whose expiration date is Jan. 1, 2012, or thereafter. Requirements/Audit Procedures DANB s 12 CDE credit annual minimum is consistent with states that have mandatory CDE requirements for dental assistants. The yearly CDE requirement emphasizes the importance of lifelong professional learning and promotes the continued competence of DANB Certified Assistants. So that DANB Certification continues to be known in the dental community as the Mark of Dental Assisting Excellence TM, some DANB Certificants are randomly selected for verification (audit) of their CDE credits and CPR. Those selected for audit will be considered certified during the time that they are providing proof of their continuing education. Specific instructions will be sent to those audited. Upon successful completion of the audit, certification will be instated for the full year. Proof of continuing education should be retained for two years, in case of subsequent audit. DO NOT SEND DOCUMENTATION UNLESS RE- QUESTED. DANB WILL NOT RETURN OR RETAIN MATERIALS. 4 DANB Recertification Policy Relevance to Practice of Dentistry or Dental Assisting All Continuing Dental Education (CDE) must directly relate to the practice of dentistry or dental assisting to maintain or improve dental assisting knowledge or skill. CDE does not need to be pre-approved by DANB in order to be accepted as meeting DANB s Recertification Requirements. Call DANB prior to participation in education if you have questions about content. Length of Program Programs must be at least 45 minutes in length in order to qualify for one CDE credit. Credit for a CDE course will be calculated in 15-minute increments (i.e., 1 ½ hours = 1.5 CDE credits, 2 ¾ hours = 2.75 CDE credits). Pre-Certification CDE Education dated prior to a Certificant s initial certification date cannot be used to meet DANB CDE requirements. Certificants must earn the appropriate number of CDE credits during their first year of certification to maintain DANB Certification. CDE Lifespan Education has a two-year lifespan. Certificants who carry over credits into the next renewal year must retain proof of 24 credits of CDE over a two-year period, in case they are chosen by DANB for audit. Multiple Certifications It is possible to be certified in each of four areas: CDA, COA, COPA, COMSA and CDPMA. Renewal requirements are set at approximately 50 percent increase over basic requirements for each additional certification maintained. Renewal Timing and Certification Expiration A three-month CDE grace period is granted if the required CDE credits are not accumulated and the appropriate fee is not received by the expiration date. An individual is considered certified during this three-month CDE grace period; however, a late fee of $10 will be assessed. If DANB does not receive a response to renewal statement(s) within three months of the certificant s expiration date, the individual is no longer certified and cannot use the CDA, COA, COPA, COMSA or CDPMA certification marks. DANB s certification marks are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and only those individuals who have earned and maintained the marks are legally authorized to use them. Misrepresentation of DANB Certification Marks Misuse of any DANB certification mark is grounds for discipline under DANB s Discipline Policies and Procedures (contact DANB for a copy). For reinstatement of a certification mark, contact DANB at , ext. 445, or vspears@danb.org. Review and Appeal Policy and Procedures A copy of DANB s Review and Appeal Policy and Procedures is available at Release of Information DANB verifies your certification status by mail or phone to anyone upon request, since the fact that you have or have not been certified and the effective date(s) of your certification are matters of public record and may be disclosed. DANB asks that the Request for Credential Verification form be completed before providing an official verification letter to DANB Certificants or employers. DANB may provide online verification on DANB s website of the DANB-administered credentials or Certifications you hold; such verification may consist of online display of your name, credentials held and dates earned, current Certification status, and your city and state of residence. Your full address will not be posted online by DANB. If you do not want DANB to display your city and state of residence as part of the online credential verification process, then you must submit a written request for omission of this information to the address provided below. DANB may, from time to time, provide your name and address along with the names and addresses of Certificants and those holding RHS and/or ICE Certificates of Competency to dentists interested in hiring a DANB individual from their area, and to providers of continuing education opportunities. Your consent to this use will remain in effect unless and until you submit a written request to have this information omitted from release. Written requests to have information omitted from release as provided above must be sent to: DANB Marketing Dept., 444 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 900 Chicago, IL Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. Renewing DANB Certification DANB Certification is valid for one year, and must therefore be renewed annually. In order to renew, DANB Certificants are required to complete 12 credits of Continuing Dental Education (CDE), hold a current DANB-accepted CPR certification and submit a renewal fee to DANB. A renewal notice will be mailed approximately six weeks prior to their certification expiration date, which is printed on each DANB certificate. Certificants are asked to sign a statement attesting that CDE and CPR requirements have been met, and to return the statement with the appropriate renewal fee to DANB. Renewal fees are not refundable. # of Certifications CDE Credits (including CPR) 12 credits 18 credits 24 credits 30 credits 36 credits *A $10 late fee is assessed after the Certificate expiration date, but within the three-month grace period. If DANB does not receive a response to renewal statement(s) within three months of the expiration date, the Certificant is no longer certified and cannot use the CDA, COA, COPA, COMSA or CDPMA certification mark. To protect against misuse of DANB credentials, DANB sends reports of lapsed DANB Certificants to state regulatory agencies on a regular basis. This sample timeline illustrates the DANB Certification renewal process. In this example, the individual s CDA certification expires Jan. 15, December 1, 2010 A renewal notice is sent to Certificant. Renewal Fee* $55 $80 $100 $125 $145 January 15, 2011 Signed statement and fee are due by this date or DANB Certification expires. January 16, 2011 Grace period begins. A $10 late fee is assessed. If the fee is not received, a second notice is sent. February 28, 2011 Grace period continues. If the fee is not received, the final notice is sent. March 31, 2011 If the fee is not received, a reminder is sent to the Certificant. April 16, 2011 The grace period ends. If the fees and signed statement are not received, the individual is no longer DANB Certified. Call for reinstatement options. CDA l COA l COPA l CDPMA l COMSA

5 Continuing Dental Education (CDE) Recertification can be earned through accumulating the required number of CDE credits and paying the appropriate renewal fee. It is the responsibility of the certificant to obtain and retain documentation that verifies participation in all CDE activities that will be used for renewal credit. All documentation must indicate name, Certification number, name of sponsor, date of course, number of CDE credits, subject matter, program title, and program presenter. To renew COPA Certification, the Certificant must earn 12 CDE credits in categories related to the clinical practice of dentistry or dental assisting. This includes categories 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 from DANB s Recertification Requirements. 1. Mandatory CPR Certification CDE Credits: Maximum 4 credits Copy of front and back of a current CPR card from one of the organizations listed below. The card must be dated and signed, or imprinted with the instructor s name, and have the Certificant s name or signature on the card. Current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation is required for annual renewal of DANB certification. Certificants may earn a maximum of four CDE credits annually (credit may be less for refresher courses; credit depends on the length of the course) for successful completion of a CPR certification course that includes a hands-on examination provided by the organizations below. Courses from organizations other than those approved by DANB or course offerings from approved organizations without a hands-on examination will not be accepted. Certificants may only count the CDE credits in the year that CPR is earned. Note: Two-year CPR card holders can only apply the credits to recertification in the year CPR is earned. In the second year, CPR credits will not count and the Certificant must earn the full number of credits from other categories. DANB-Accepted CPR Providers: American Environmental Health and Safety American Heart Association American Red Cross American Safety and Health Institute Canadian Red Cross Emergency Care and Safety Institute Emergency First Response Emergency Medical Training Associates Medic First Aid Military Training Network National Safety Council (Green Cross) ProCPR - Not all courses include the hands-on exam so check with provider before taking course to be sure it will be accepted by DANB. Saudi Heart Association DANB accepts CPR certifications from the providers above, if the Certificant was given a hands-on exam. CPR must be part of the course. CPR certification from other providers or courses will not be accepted. 2. Clinical Courses, Seminars, Home Study Courses, Table Clinics and Exhibits CDE Credits: Clock-hour-for-clock-hour (no maximum) Exhibit Credits: Maximum 2 credits (1 credit per meeting) Certificate of completion, DANB approval code, letter of attendance/completion, meeting badge (exhibits), meeting badge/program page (table clinics or free onsite lecture), CDE printout from meeting, or similar documentation. Clinical courses are those lectures, courses, seminars, home study courses (text, video and internet based), and/or table clinics that are directly related to the clinical practice of dentistry or dental assisting. This category includes, but is not limited to, attendance at, or participation in, clinical professional development courses that are directly related to skills, knowledge and duties that would be chairside: dental materials, four-handed dentistry, infection control, radiology, expanded functions, non-human dentistry (i.e., canine and feline dentistry) and others. See Category 3 for non-clinical practice management information. Categories for CDE Credits Certificants may earn a maximum of one CDE credit annually by reading at least six technical/dental articles published within their renewal period or one dental textbook, published within the past five years. Community libraries, dental offices, and the Internet are convenient sources of books and journals. To record reading activity, a log must be maintained that includes title of book or article, name of journal, author and date of publication. This written log earns the certificant one CDE credit. Certificants may earn an additional one CDE credit annually for writing at least a 50-word sum mary of each article or at least a 250-word summary of the textbook, high lighting the relevance of the information to the dental assisting profession. The accepted documentation is a written log of articles and copy of each 50-word article summary or 250-word textbook summary. Dental assisting educators teaching at least half-time may earn a maximum of three CDE credit credits annually by reviewing new reference materials (textbooks, CD ROMs, audiovisuals, etc.) for possible adoption into their curriculum. The accepted documentation is a copy of the completed publisher s evaluation form for any materials evaluated for adoption. 6. DANB Exams CDE Credits: 12 Credits Copy of certificate or official DANB Score Report. Renew online at Twelve CDE credits are awarded for each DANB-administered examination successfully completed, excluding the first time a certification exam is passed. These examinations include any DANB national examination, DANB Professional Development Exam Program (PDEP), or any DANB state or agency-contracted examination that consists of at least 100 items. Four CDE credits are awarded for each DANB-administered state or agency-contracted examination that is less than 100 items. Successful completion of non-danb developed dental-related professionally proctored exams (consisting of at least 100 questions) will be awarded hour-for-hour credit, for the amount of time designated for the completion of the exam. If no time is specified, one credit will be allowed for every 100 questions. 7. Community Participation CDE Credits: 3 Credits -Maximum of two credits for participation -Additional one credit for written summary per below Certificate of completion, letter of attendance/participation, or similar documentation. Certificants may earn a maximum of two CDE credits by participating in dental-related community service and an additional one CDE credit for writing at least a 250-word essay on how the volunteer service benefited the certificant s professional growth. Examples include: international/national mission work, voluntary clinic work, or dental health presentations to students or groups. Community participation does not include activities such as serving on a dental assisting program advisory committee or as an officer and/or committee chair for a national, state, or local dental assisting organization. Volunteer time should be at minimum two credits. DANB will publicly recognize Certificants who complete and provide proof of mission work. 8. College Courses CDE Credits: No maximum Grade report, transcript, letter of verification from instructor on school letterhead For each clock hour that you attend and/or participate in one of these sessions you will receive one CDE credit. Additionally, a maximum of one credit may be earned for reviewing exhibits at dental and/or dental assisting meetings sponsored by recognized dental groups. This can be done a maximum of twice each year at two different meetings. All DANB-required CDE credits can be clinical in nature. 3. Non-Clinical Courses, Seminars, Home Study Courses and Table Clinics CDE Credits: 3 Credits for CDAs, COAs, and COMSAs 6 Credits for CDPMAs Certificate of completion, DANB approval code, letter of attendance/completion, meeting badge (exhibits), meeting badge/program page (table clinics or free onsite lecture), CDE printout from meeting, or similar documentation. Non-clinical courses are those lectures, courses, seminars, home study courses (text, video and internet based) and/or table clinics that are that are directly related to dental practice management/practice communication services: practice management, HIPAA, stress management, patient and staff motivation, computer courses (college class, software training, etc.), insurance, claims/billing, foreign language studies, American Sign Language, and non-scientific-related college courses. This category also includes courses and seminars covering dental practice acts and trends in dental assisting. These courses must be directly related to allowable duties for dental assistants. 4. Video or Audio Tapes from Convention Seminars CDE Credits: 3 Credits Copy of the 250-word essay highlighting the meeting and course name. Certificants may earn a maximum of three CDE credits annually by viewing or listening to a taped CDE course presented at a local, state, regional, or national dental meeting and writing a minimum 250-word summary of that course presentation. 5. Reading CDE Credits: 2 Credits -Maximum of one credit for reading -Additional one credit for written summary per below Written log of articles and copy of each 50-word article summary or 250-word textbook summary. Educators may submit a copy of the completed publisher s evaluation form for any materials evaluated for adoption. Vol. 30, Issue 1 l Winter 2011 CDE credits are awarded for each scientific-oriented college credit/unit successfully completed at the following levels: 3 College Credits/Units = 12 CDE credits 2 College Credits/Units = 6 CDE credits 1 College Credit/Unit = 3 CDE credits Certificants may earn all 12 CDE credits required annually by DANB if they are currently enrolled in a college program to earn an undergraduate or graduate degree, but this option can be used for no more than five consecutive years. Twelve CDE credits per year may be earned if enrolled at least half time (earning 3 or more college credits/units) in a B.A., B.S., M.A. or other recognized degree program. Accepted documentation is a document from the college registrar s office indicating currently enrolled status. College courses must be medical (including but not limited to dentistry, dental assisting, dental hygiene, nursing, anatomy/physiology, all biology, all chemistry, nutrition) or business (including but not limited to human resources, accounting, office management, business law) related. To avoid nonacceptance of credits, call DANB to ascertain whether a course is acceptable and at what CDE credit level. 9. Scholarly Activity CDE Credits: 3 Credits Course outline/catalog, copy of program brochure listing the Certificant as Instructor, copy of published article, including name and date of publication), letter from DANB, document from college registrar s office indicating currently enrolled status. Certificants may earn a maximum of three CDE credits annually for each of the following scholarly activities: Teach a professional course directly related to dentistry or dental assisting or present a CDE program, either of which are outside of the Certificant s normal employment teaching responsibilities. Accepted documentation includes course outline/catalog, or a copy of program brochure listing the Certificant as instructor. Author a published article in a recognized dental or dental assisting journal. Accepted documentation includes a copy of the published article, including name and date of publication. Participate in a DANB Exam Committee, PDEP development (Note: PDEP development participants cannot use PDEP to renew), or receive one CDE credit for every two exam items accepted by DANB. Accepted documentation is a letter from DANB. 5

6 Spotlight on Excellence Office Manager of the Year Exemplifies Dedication Melissa Meredith is no stranger to going the extra mile. As the Director of Operations at Central Arkansas Dental Associates, Inc., Meredith has gone to incredible lengths for patients, including driving one patient to and from her appointment for tooth extractions after the patient s car broke down. For Meredith, her remarkable commitment is just part of the job, which is why she was named the American Association of Dental Office Managers (AADOM) 2010 Office Manager of the Year. Meredith, who received her award Oct. 22 at AADOM s 6th Annual Dental Managers Conference, was nominated by her employer Andrew Orr, D.D.S., and colleagues Drew Ramey and Peggy Weeks. As the winner, Meredith receives free registration to AADOM s 2011 annual conference, a feature story and photo on the cover of The Observer magazine, and a $1,000 prize provided by CareCredit. I was overjoyed and overwhelmed with emotions when I found out I won, Meredith says. I worked very hard to be recognized by AADOM and am much appreciative of the honor. Dedicated to the Practice Meredith has worked at Central Arkansas Dental since 2008, and is in charge of coordinating scheduling, finances, advertising and community service events. From the moment she was hired, Meredith has made tremendous improvements in the practice. Upon arrival, she immediately discovered over $100,000 in overdue or unbilled claims, Orr recounts. With the help of Meredith s practice management skills, the original Central Arkansas Dental location in Lonoke, Ark., has expanded to offices in Jacksonville and Little Rock, Ark., with five dentists on staff. I can honestly say our office would not have survived without AADOM Fellowship Ceremony (cont d.) Dailey, who has worked at the Dental Group in Riverdale, Md., for 13 years, started in the file room and worked her way up to business coordinator. Today, she proudly displays her AADOM Fellowship plaque in the office. One day I hope to run the entire practice, Dailey adds. An AADOM member since 2005, Dailey has attended five out of six AADOM conferences. I knew that earning AADOM Fellowship would help me reach my goal and allow me to be an asset to the practice in the long run, she explains. AADOM did a really good job of making everyone feel special at the fellowship ceremony. Earning AADOM Fellowship has been an honor. Mindy Otto, Practice Administrator at Southern Minnesota Endodontics, was also part of the FAADOM charter class. She has been an AADOM member for five years. Earning AADOM Fellowship distinction meant something different to each woman in the room, Otto notes. Each woman worked hard to get to that particular place and had her own personal reasons for achieving FAADOM distinction. But despite everyone s different backgrounds, Otto stresses, there was a universal sense of pride and camaraderie; everyone was so honored to be there. AADOM membership allows Otto to connect with other dental office managers and share experiences and information. The weekend of the annual conference, in particular, is a time for bonding, recognition and professional growth. It s an honor to be part of this organization, she says. I look forward to being a lifelong member of AADOM. AADOM Fellowship: A Longtime Coming The sentiment that AADOM Fellowship has been a longtime coming was shared by AADOM staff and members alike. AADOM Fellowship is a labor of love for me and five years in the making, Colicchio explains. Members really wanted Fellowship because they are the best in their profession. They are more than just dental office managers, they are business managers. DANB s involvement with AADOM Fellowship traces back to 2007, when AADOM contacted DANB because its dental office manager members were looking for a professional distinction and felt the content of DANB s Certified Dental Practice Management Administrator 6 Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. the hard work that Melissa has put in everyday for the last three years, emphasizes Orr. At each of the three locations, Meredith has been successful in hiring and retaining employees, delicately balancing existing employee availability with hiring the right people to build a new practice from the ground up, Ramey notes. In addition to growing the practice, Meredith prides herself on finding ways to help those who can t afford proper dental care. She works with patients to ensure they receive the care they need, and regularly helps patients apply for Medicaid, Orr explains. Dedicated to the Community Meredith s dedication extends beyond the office walls. She has served as a mentor to elementary students in the local Arkansas school system, and plays an integral role in organizing community service events. Each year, thanks to Meredith and the support of the entire of the dental team, Central Arkansas Dental participates in several citywide dental fairs to provide free dental screenings, recommendations and basic oral health education to underserved communities. There are several Arkansas counties with no dental care facilities, and the volunteer services Central Arkansas Dental provides enables patients to receive the dental care and education they need. (CDPMA) exam did not reflect their jobs. At the same time, DANB was having difficulty obtaining a sufficient number of CDPMA exam candidates to conduct the periodic formal job analysis study required of professional certification programs to determine exactly how the role of the dental office manager has evolved through the years. In the fall of 2007, DANB conducted focus groups, surveying and conversing with dental office manager members of AADOM and the American Dental Assistants Association. The outcome of these studies indicated that a professional designation was desirable, and confirmed that the CDPMA certification program met the needs of a small group of dental office managers. Since the small annual CDPMA exam candidate volume did not allow DANB to adequately analyze exam and item statistics, the validity of the CDPMA certification program was in question, so DANB discontinued it in June 2008, while still recognizing and supporting those who hold CDPMA Certification. Melissa coordinates Central Arkansas Dental s community efforts through local health departments, the city government and organizations such as the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce; Care Improvement Plus, a Medicare Advantage organization; North Metro Medical Center, the city-owned nonprofit hospital; and Colgate s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Mobile Dental Van Program. At one dental fair, Central Arkansas Dental screened over 200 people and extracted hundreds of teeth, in total performing over $30,000 in free dentistry. People come from all across Arkansas to take part in the free dental care, Meredith explains. Volunteering at the dental fairs has been rewarding for me. I always try to emphasize to everyone how important oral health is to your overall health. The 2009 Office Manager of the Year Kay Valentine (right) presents 2010 winner Melissa Meredith (left) with the award. AADOM VP of Business Development Lorie Streeter (far left) and AADOM President Heather Colicchio (far right) cheer on AADOM raffle winners. DANB exhibited at the conference and Executive Director Cindy Durley (second left) and COO Liz Koch (second right) handed out DANB s prizes. To meet the needs of a majority of its members, AADOM determined that a model that combined Assessment- Based Certificate Programs (ABCPs) and Fellowship would address a desire for a professional distinction and would likely encourage other dental office managers to continue their professional development. In February 2010, DANB introduced its first online education program for office managers DANB s ABCP: Accounts Receivable. That summer, AADOM announced its Fellowship program, identifying DANB s ABCPs as one of the requirements. DANB values our relationship with AADOM and is proud to support the Fellowship program and the pursuit of lifelong learning, says Durley. The AADOM Fellowship convocation was full of energy. It was wonderful to participate and recognize the hard work and achievement of those Dedicated to the Profession Meredith has been an AADOM member for two years and plans to be a lifelong member. Her goal is to earn AADOM Fellowship at the 2011 AADOM Dental Managers Conference in Nashville, Tenn. Being an AADOM member has provided me with a network of people who I can share my office stories, questions, issues and future hopes with, she explains. Dentistry is such a challenging field. I face new obstacles every day, which is why I love my career. My only complaint with Melissa, Orr jokes, is that I don t know how we will be able to afford to keep her when she realizes how much she is worth. If I am extremely lucky, I will get to enjoy several more years of having her in charge of our offices. who earned the FAADOM distinction, especially with this inaugural class of the 47 elite dental office managers who reached FAADOM status. To earn fellowship, AADOM members must hold DANB s CDPMA designation or have at least three years of experience as a dental office manager, earn 15 AADOM CE hours, successfully complete DANB s ABCP: Accounts Receivable e-learning course, attend at least one AADOM Dental Managers Conference, and submit a letter of recommendation from a current or former dental office employer along with the FAA- DOM application. I am so thankful to Heather and DANB for providing us with a professional designation, Otto says. AADOM is filled with so many great dental professionals and those who earned Fellowship have really made an investment in professional growth. Otto looks forward to AADOM Fellowship gaining more recognition throughout the dental community and becoming a catalyst for more continuing dental education programs. She stresses that holding FAA- DOM distinction is a way for dental office professionals to take control of their education. Colicchio agrees, It gives AADOM members recognition within the practice and industry and a renewed dedication to the dental profession. She explains that Fellowship is a commitment to career-long learning and requires renewal every two years. AADOM Fellowship renewal requirements include earning 24 AA- DOM-approved CE credits and successful completion of two DANB ABCPs. AADOM is accepting applications for the 2011 Fellowship class through July 15, For more information, visit CDA l COA l COPA l CDPMA l COMSA

7 DANB s Salary Survey (cont d) To view more results from DANB s 2010 Salary Survey, visit Tribute to Connie Garland, Committed Educator Former DANB Board Director and dental assisting educator Connie Ann Garland passed away Oct. 26, 2010, in her home in Washington City, Utah. Connie's spirit, positive attitude and strength were a great example to all of us, her family says. Ms. Garland worked as a dental assistant for many years, earning DANB CDA Certification in She moved into education, becoming an instructor at Utah Technical College. Ms. Garland went on to teach at AmeriTech College (formerly called the American Institute of Medical Dental Technology, Inc.), completed her degree, and was appointed as the Director of Education. Under her leadership, she expanded the college to three campuses and 500 students. In 1997, Ms. Garland stepped into the role of CEO and Chief Administrator. Ms. Garland volunteered her time, serving as a mentor and educator, and traveled extensively to assist other schools earning accreditation by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (AB- HES) and by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). She reluctantly retired in 2007, but remained active on many state and national boards. Ms. Garland was elected to DANB's Board of Directors from a slate of candidates provided by the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) in 1988 and served two terms. She held every officer position, including Secretary/Treasurer in 1990, Vice Chair in 1991 and Chair in During her time on DANB s Board, Ms. Garland served on test construction committees and participated on the American Dental Association (ADA) committee established to revise accreditation standards for dental education programs. In addition to her contributions to DANB, Ms. Garland was a former Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) Chair and the recipient of the 2005 ABHES Recognition of Excellence award. Carol Moneymaker, ABHES Executive Director, notes Ms. Garland s dedication to the organization. While on the ABHES Commission, she worked tirelessly and successfully enhancing the recognition of ABHES and she was famous for assisting other schools in need of guidance on accreditation matters. Moneymaker says despite health issues, Ms. Garland always had a smile on her face, adding that her positive attitude and strength carried her through many difficult times. Ms. Garland is survived by her husband, Steve Garland, and her four children. Ms. Garland s family was of great importance in her life, and she enjoyed spending time with her parents, siblings, 12 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and 13 nieces and nephews. Ms. Garland s family requests that in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following charities in Ms. Garland s name: American Diabetes Association ( the Celiac Sprue Association ( or the National Kidney Foundation ( Vol. 30, Issue 1 l Winter 2011 Salary by practice: Private practice $18.50 College/university $20.00 Clinical/HMO $16.00 Hospital $18.63 Military $15.84 Vocational school $21.82 Health Dept. $14.00 Prison $17.67 Other $19.00 Salary by type of practice: General dentistry $18.18 Multi-specialty $18.00 Orthodontic $19.15 Pediatric $16.77 Oral Surgery $18.42 Endodontic $20.00 Periodontic $18.50 Prosthodontic $21.02 Other $23.50 Salary by years in profession: 0-5 $ $ $ $ $ $ $21.92 Salary by area of practice location: Small city or suburb $18.47 Large city $18.50 Rural area $17.00 Metropolitan area $19.00 Diane Chandler, CDA, has a unique approach to time management. Chandler, who is a dental assistant in Dr. Chris Tiffin s dental practice in Washington, Mich., unexpectedly found a fun, new accessory that her young patients love. One day, the office staff went to Burger King for lunch, where there happened to be a promotion for a new action movie. Promotional action-figure watches could be purchased for a dollar, so Chandler decided to buy one and wear it in the afternoon. Our afternoon book was full of children, and I couldn t believe how many noticed my watch, Chandler recounts. Some even had the same watch. Although some of the children were surprised to see an adult in a dental office wearing an action-figure watch, Chandler says the fun timepiece helped her bond with the patients. Today, Chandler has about 20 action-figure watches that she wears around the office. All of the watches are from a promotion, she explains. I sent in box tops, bought cat food and I don t even have a cat. Both children and adults enjoy Chandler s watch collection. I wear them to work and I am amazed at how many patients comment on my watches, she says. It is a fun thing and maybe it makes both adults and children feel more relaxed. Along with Chandler, Dr. Tiffin s practice employs another dental assistant, a hygienist and a front office manager. We have a collaborative office, she says. Benefits of Certification: Self-gratification 87% Pride 78% Recognition by employer 55% Elevation of the profession 48% Higher rate of pay 46% Patient respect for credentials 45% Career mobility 43% Recognition by dental community 41% Potential for more duties 41% Opportunity to earn other certifications 36% Representation on the DANB Board 22% Additional benefits: Paid vacation 84% Paid holidays 82% 401(k)/pension plan 61% Paid sick leave 58% Free dental care 56% Health insurance 54% CDE reimbursement 52% Uniform allowance 46% Bonus 40% Reimbursement for certification or state registration renewal 30% Life insurance 26% Dental insurance 24% Disability insurance 18% Profit sharing 17% Reimbursement for ADAA dues 13% Medical insurance 6% Childcare allowance 1% Fun Times with Diane Chandler, CDA Letters of Thanks DANB Certificants will often write to DANB to express their opinions or share their stories. Below are some selected excerpts from recent Certificant letters. Thank you very much for the brief bag and pin to celebrate my 15th year of being Certified by the national board. I have been a dental assistant for 24 years, and realize how glad I am that I made the decision to become a CDA. -Kelly D. Williams, CDA; Epping, N.H. I have had the journey of a lifetime in dentistry. In my journey, I have seen so many changes in every aspect of dentistry materials, techniques, etc. During all these 43 years, I have kept up my CE with more hours than required, only for my benefit! I have worn all my pins with much pride. I choose not to renew my certification, as I plan to leave the dental profession in I can truthfully say, I have loved every step of this journey. -Judy Moore, CDA-Emeritus, Summerfield, N.C. If a team member has an idea to improve the practice, we share it with each other. Chandler says sometimes it s the little things that can make a practice stand out. For example, children who visit the office receive coloring pages with pictures of teeth. Each night after brushing, the child is encouraged to color in one of the teeth. When all the teeth are colored, children can redeem the coloring sheet for a $5 gift certificate to the dollar store. It s a fun activity that helps them build in a pattern of brushing, Chandler states. Chandler works in a general practice with many family patients. Making the effort to educate parents about pediatric dentistry while they are pregnant is one of the keys to good dental care. Talking to expectant and new parents about how to care for their baby s teeth and gums shows that we are concerned about the whole family s health. Parents just want the best care for their kids, and we are able to give them helpful resources. It s win-win. Chandler is approaching her 30-year anniversary of maintaining her DANB Certification, which she says has been a source of pride and success. I worked hard to earn my certification, so I make sure that I maintain it. I enjoy the dental assisting field, and holding professional certification is a real accomplishment; it s something I did for myself. Everyone should strive to feel that sense of success in life. It s about finding out what you can do well, and then doing it. ADAA Installs Officers The American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) installed the Officers at the ADAA Annual Session, held in Orlando, Oct. 7-10, 2010, in conjunction with the American Dental Association (ADA) Annual Session. The ADAA Officers are: President - Natalie Kaweckyj (pictured), RDARF, CDA, CDPMA, COA, COMSA, MADAA, B.A. President-Elect - Claudia Pohl, CDA, RDA, FADAA, B.V.Ed. Vice President - Susan Rexroat, CDA, CDPMA, EFDA, M.S. Secretary - Bonnie Marshall, CDA, EFDA, EFODA, MADAA, A.A.S. Immediate Past President - Angela M. Swatts, CDA, EFDA ADAA officers preside over 2011 Dental Assistants Recognition Week, March 6-12, 2011, and the 2011 ADAA Annual Session held in Las Vegas. For more information, visit 7