Celebrate Dental Assisting Excellence

Transcription

1 DANB s Certified Press Volume 28 Issue 2 Spring 2009 Measuring Dental Assisting Excellence Celebrate Dental Assisting Excellence Dental Assistants Recognition Week March 1-7, 2009 DANB Certified Assistants CDA COA CDPMA COMSA Dental Assistants Recognition Week March 1-7, 2009

2 2 Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. Congratulations to Emeritus Certificants November 1, January 31, 2009 Name/State Certification Date Maria Bierman, MO 10/08/1996 Shirley Buro, MN 11/24/1981 Dianne Croake, FL 08/18/1982 Betty Finkbeiner, FL 12/12/1999 Angela Freeman, NJ 09/30/1983 Carol Love, OR 10/05/1988 Jeanne Nichols, CA 12/09/2005 Barbara Scally, PA 12/09/1993 Karen Sperry, CA 11/16/1964 Diane Troutman, NC 09/22/1992 Patricia Weston, SD 07/20/1993 Jayne Alexander obtained Emeritus status on 07/31/08 and should have been listed in the Winter 2009 Certified Press. DANB regrets the error. There are currently more than 680 DANB Emeritus Certificants. For DANB s policy on earning Emeritus status, see DANB s Recertification Requirements on page 4 or contact Vickie Spears, Assistant Director, Recertification, at FOR-DANB x445. Correction: Susan Combs is the Administrative Secretary for the West Virginia Board of Dental Examiners, not from Oklahoma, as mistakenly captioned in the photo on page 1 in the Winter 2009 Certified Press. Dental Briefs ADA Stresses Teeth Bleaching Safety The American Dental Association (ADA) has announced its support of teeth whitening safety education via Resolution 73H Adopted in December, the resolution commits the ADA to promoting the importance of consulting a licensed dentist when pursuing teeth whitening/bleaching treatment. The foremost concern is that there may be a chemical or ingredient being used that may be harmful to patients, Dr. Daniel M. Meyer, ADA senior vice president, science/professional relations, said in a statement. Since these products are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there is no assurance that they are safe or effective. Per the resolution, the ADA will petition the FDA to properly classify tooth whitening and bleaching agents and will compile research to describe treatment considerations for dentists prior to performing whitening procedures to reduce adverse outcomes. State dental societies are also urged to support the proposition that teeth whitening/bleaching procedures should be considered dental practice and that any nondentist performing such procedures is committing the unlicensed practice of dentistry. State ADA representatives have spoken out about the issue, including Dr. Dennis Sommers, President of the North Dakota Dental Association. Although individuals working at bleaching kiosks may give the impression they are dental professionals by wearing scrubs, using chairs, lights and dental shade guides similar to those your dentist has, they may not be licensed dental professionals, he explained to the Grand Forks Herald newspaper. For your own safety, ask about the credentials of anyone proposing to change your teeth in any way. Possible Dangers With Osteoporosis Drug Fosamax, generically known as alendronate, and other oral bisphosphonate drugs used to treat osteoporosis may be linked to osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), or dead jaw, according to findings in the January issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry found that nine out of 208 patients with a history of oral bisphosphonate use developed ONJ after undergoing tooth extractions or denture trauma resulting in jawbone exposure. In contrast, no ONJ cases were reported among the 4,384 patients who received extractions but had no history of oral bisphosphonate use. DANB is a member of the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA). The National Commission For Certifying Agencies (NCCA), a NOCA Commission with responsibility for evaluating credentialing programs, has accredited DANB national certification exam programs, (CDA, and COA), including DANB component exams (RHS, ICE, GC, and OA) and found DANB programs meet NCCA s highest standards, thus helping to assure validity, reliability, and objectivity in the testing process. Word from the Chair Brenda Fell, CDA, CDPMA Chair, DANB Board of Directors For over 20 years, the first full week in March has been celebrated as Dental Assistants Recognition Week. This year, March 1-7 is designated by the American Dental Assistants Association, along with the American Dental Association, as a time to recognize the dedication and contributions of dental assistants. This issue of the Certified Press celebrates DANB excellence and Dental Assistants Recognition Week. A group of members from DANB s Board of Directors recently served on a Task Force to select the winner of the Hazel O. Torres Memorial Award. DANB received over 100 applications, and I was impressed by the dedication and commitment that was exemplified by these DANB Certified Assistants. Page three of this issue recognizes the recipient of the award, Virginia Ginny Jorgensen, as well as the five outstanding finalists. The National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA) recently recognized DANB s Executive Director, Cynthia Durley, MEd., MBA, as the recipient of the 2008 Service Award. Page four of this issue highlights details of this award and Ms. Durley s dedication to upholding DANB s mission to promote the public good by providing credentialing services to the dental community. This issue contains an official ballot sent to all DANB Certificants who are eligible to vote for the Director-At-Large position on DANB s Board of Directors. Please take a moment to read the candidate biographies on page six and send in the ballot, postmarked by April 10, Dental Assistants Recognition Week is a great time to acknowledge and recognize the role and contributions of dental assistants as an essential part of the dental team and the oral healthcare community. I encourage you to continue to look for ways to become actively involved in the dental community and support fellow dental assistants in the commitment to lifelong learning. Enjoy Dental Assistants Recognition Week! Until next time According to Fosamax manufacturer Merck, in a 2007 statement, the worldwide rate of ONJ cases ranges from.5/100,000 to 2.5/100,000 patient-treatment years. Additionally, over 168 million Fosamax prescriptions have been dispensed since its market introduction. However, the ADA maintains that although the USC study is small, it suggests that all healthcare providers and susceptible patients be aware of the results. In addition to ONJ risk, a separate report from the FDA suggests that Fosamax may be linked to esophageal cancer. Since the initial marketing of Fosamax in 1995, the FDA has reported 23 cases in which patients developed esophageal tumors. Typically, two years lapsed between the start of the drug and development of the tumors. Of the reported cases, eight patients died. In Europe and Japan, 21 cases of esophageal cancer involving Fosamax have been logged, as well as six instances where Procter & Gamble s Actonel (risedronate) and Didronel (etidronate), and Roche s Boniva (ibandronate) may have been involved. Six of those people died. The FDA is considering conducting further studies to investigate the link, and recommends that doctors avoid prescribing bisphosphonates to patients with Barrett s esophagus, a condition often found in patients with acid reflux disease. Disinfection Rules for Healthcare Facilities The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued its Guidelines for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, 2008 last November. The nearly 160-page document outlines preferred methods for disinfecting and sterilizing patient-care medical devices and healthcare facilities. The document, last updated in 2003, also includes a section on dental instruments, such as: Classifying surgical instruments or instruments that penetrate soft tissue or bone as critical devices and sterilizing or discarding such devices after each use. Sterilizing handpieces after each patient. Identifying clinical vs. housekeeping surfaces and the different cleaning guidelines for each. The CDC also reports that a study published in 1996 in the Journal of Hospital Infection found that 68 percent of respondents believed they were sterilizing their instruments but did not use appropriate chemical sterilants or exposure times. Additionally, 49 percent of respondents did not challenge autoclaves with biological indicators. The CDC says common factors for improper sterilization include chamber overload, low temperature setting, inadequate exposure time, failure to preheat the sterilizer, and interruption of the cycle. The complete guidelines can be downloaded at the Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures Web site at Tom s of Maine Helps Oral Health Clinics Throughout January, Tom s of Maine donated $1 from each product purchased to help community oral health clinics expand or improve services. As part of the Tom s of Maine Dental Health for All program, the company has provided funds to community-based clinics to provide dental access to the underserved. In the last few years, the Tom s of Maine program has donated funds to more than 25 school and community dental clinics, allowing for nearly 60,000 annual patient visits to be scheduled. To learn more about the Dental Health for All program, including how to vote for your favorite dental clinic or donate to a dental clinic, visit com/dentalhealth/dental_clinics/default.asp Trident Supports Smiles Across America Trident donated $1.5 million toward a three-year sponsorship to support Oral Health America s (OHA) Smiles Across America program. The sponsorship, announced in December, is both the largest and the first multi-year commitment the program has ever received. Trident is a proud sponsor of Smiles Across America, a program that shares our passion for the health and well-being of children, Delfina Baribeau, Trident Senior Brand Manager, said. Trident s sponsorship will help bring the Smiles Across America program to three new cities each year for the next three years, as well as fund an ongoing oral health awareness campaign. We are tremendously grateful for Trident s investment in children s oral health, said Beth Truett, OHA President and CEO. OHA s Smiles Across America program supports preventive dental care for over 90,000 uninsured and underinsured children annually, and that number is expected to double with Trident s funding. Since 2004, over $1.1 million in Smiles Across America grants have been awarded to school oral health programs in eight regions of the country. For more information, visit org and

3 DANB Task Force Selects Winner of Hazel O. Torres Memorial Award The DANB Hazel O. Torres Memorial Award Task Force is proud to announce Virginia Ginny Jorgensen, CDA, EFDA, EFODA, AAS, from Oregon as the winner of the Hazel O. Torres Memorial Award. Hazel O. Torres, CDA, RDAEF, M.A., was a pioneer in the field of dental assisting, one of the original authors of the well-regarded Modern Dental Assisting textbook, and above all, an educator. Virginia Ginny Jorgensen: Dedicated Educator and Lifelong Learner Virginia Ginny Jorgensen, CDA, EFDA, EFODA, AAS, embodies dental assisting excellence. As a leader, educator and dental assisting professional, Jorgensen s exemplary achievements make her most deserving of the Hazel O. Torres Memorial Award. To win an award in Hazel s name is such a privilege, Jorgensen says. I am honored to just have my name on the same page as hers. Jorgensen began her dental assisting career in 1972, after completing general studies courses at Mt. Hood Community College. She first worked as an orthodontic laboratory assistant, pouring models and soldering wires. As Jorgensen advanced in her career, she worked as an orthodontic assistant, general chairside assistant and a large dental group practice trainer. In addition to her extensive dental office experience, Jorgensen is an educator; she has been teaching skills clinics and continuing education courses for students and dental assistants in the Portland area since In 1985, she also became a founding partner of Dental Career Advancements, an instruction program that offered continuing education courses to meet the growing demand for dental assisting education in Oregon. With her genuine love of the dental assisting profession and her teaching abilities, [Ginny] has contributed greatly to the higher education status of Oregon s assistants, says former co-worker, partner and nominator Mary Harrison. Ginny is the kind of person that Hazel would want to receive her memorial award. Currently, Jorgensen is a full-time Dental Assisting Clinical Instructor at Portland Community College (PCC), a position she has held since She is a role model to her students, and strives to help them realize their full potential. Ginny is not only the consummate dental assistant and example of professionalism, but she is also the epitome of an educator, PCC Director of Dental Sciences Program Josette Beach, RDH, MS, says. She works tirelessly in preparing students for the DANB Infection Control and General Chairside exams and can boast high pass rates for her students. Her students are extremely competent upon graduation, and it is no wonder that the dental assisting community in Patricia Atno, CDA, from Pennsylvania Patricia Atno s passion for serving the community is evident through her work at Lehigh Valley Health Network s Department of Dental Medicine, a facility that serves special needs and low-income patients. Atno started as a chairside and front-office assistant, and moved into the role of Practice Director. My team has provided care to patients needing clearance for transplants, open-heart surgeries and prior to radiation and chemotherapy, she explains. This is all done regardless of the patient s ability to pay for services. In addition, Atno has helped organize and raise funds for the Miles of Smiles Dental Van project, a program to provide dental care to the children in the Allentown School District. Through her efforts, nearly $1 million has been raised, and the dental van will launch in April. I feel that I am an example that a CDA can make a difference, she notes. When Ms. Torres passed away on March 29, 2008, she granted in her trust $2,000 to DANB to be awarded on a one-time basis to an outstanding DANB-Certified Assistant. A call for nominees for the award was publicized in the Certified Press, on DANB s Web site and in an e- mail to DANB Certified Assistants, which resulted in more than 100 nominees. the Portland area consistently seeks dental assisting students who have been taught by Ginny. Jorgensen stresses the importance of professionalism and DANB Certification to her students, and she leads by example. Jorgensen began her career as an on-thejob-trained assistant, and quickly went on to pass the Oregon Radiology exam. She also took courses in Cement Removal, Alginate Impressions, and later passed the Oregon Basic exam. She earned her DANB CDA in 1985, and passed the Oregon Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) and Oregon Expanded Functions Orthodontic Assistant (EFODA) the next year. In 1992 she graduated from PCC with a degree in Professional Technical Education. Most recently, Jorgensen earned her Sealant Placement Certificate in 2000 and is working toward a Bachelor of Science. Ginny is respected throughout the dental community and holds high standards not only for herself, but for the people she works with and the students she teaches, Harrison says. Jorgensen has served as an advocate for the dental assisting profession by holding seats on numerous exam committees and consulting with the state Board of Dentistry. In the mid-1980s, Jorgensen was instrumental in bringing the expanded functions exams to Oregon by being a consultant to the Oregon Board of Dentistry and arranging for test administration for the Outstanding Finalists for the Hazel O. Torres Memorial Award More than 100 DANB Certified Assistants applied for the Hazel O. Torres Memorial Award. Of those, the DANB Task Force selected the top-five finalists who demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the dental assisting profession. Jorgensen (left) instructs students during a clinical procedures lab. Julie Dumas, CDA, RDA, from Michigan Julie Dumas earned her DANB CDA in 1974 and then went on to achieve her Michigan RDA. In addition to being a lifetime member of the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA), she has been active in her local and state associations, helping to plan education programs. Additionally, while serving on the Michigan Board of Dentistry from , Dumas helped campaign for the board to recognize DANB s CDA Certification, and worked to bring DANB Executive Director Cindy Durley in to speak on how DANB could assist Michigan in its credentialing efforts. She also sat on a Task Force with the Michigan Dental Association to implement educational requirements for non-licensed dental assistants into the public health code. Above all, Dumas is most proud of encouraging others to become DANB Certified. My proudest success has been mentoring a co-worker and encouraging her to become a CDA, she recounts. She passed the exam in December 2008! The Task Force, consisting of three DANB Board Directors, unanimously agreed that Jorgensen was most deserving of the award based on the criteria of holding DANB Certification for at least five years, demonstration of lifelong learning, community involvement, leadership and achievement. Jorgensen was nominated by Mary Harrison, CDA, EFDA, EFODA, FADAA. EFODA and EFDA. She also sat on the Board s Test Construction Committee and Rules Committee. Jorgensen served on the DANB Orthodontic Assisting (OA) Test Construction Committee from 1988 to 1992, and the DANB Infection Control (ICE) Test Construction Committee from 1999 to Jorgensen also volunteers her time to promote access to oral health care. She has been a volunteer dental assistant to the Neighborhood Care Clinic and Northwest Medical Team Dental Vans since Public safety is a critical component to dental assisting, and Jorgensen participated in numerous Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) and Organization for Safety & Asepsis Procedures (OSAP) courses and conferences. As a result of her expertise, she is the dental assisting department s safety expert and a member of the Campus Health and Safety Committee and College Emergency Response Team. Jorgensen has also been PCC s Health and Safety Officer since Jorgensen has been actively involved with the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) on state and national levels since 1984, including serving as President of the Oregon Dental Assistants Association (ODAA). It was through her involvement with the ODAA that Jorgensen met Hazel Torres. Jorgensen admired Ms. Torres and even kept an autographed copy of the third edition of Modern Dental Assisting. Jorgensen had the privilege to introduce Ms. Torres as a speaker at an ODAA Conference. At the conference, Jorgensen and Ms. Torres had a chance to get to know each other, and the two kept in touch for many years. When I would call or write to Hazel with a question, she was always there to help, Jorgensen recounts. She also had the ability to make you feel like you were really special. I respect Hazel very much, and this award motivates me to do more. Jorgensen says she will establish a course on professionalism in dental assisting based on Ms. Torres teachings, and start a dental assisting scholarship at PCC in Ms. Torres name for the class of Doreen May, CDA, from New Mexico Working for the Albuquerque Indian Health Service Dental Clinic for more than 16 years has enabled Doreen May to truly impact the community. Serving an economically challenged patient group is no easy task, but May is willing to go the extra mile for patients and employees often working additional hours without compensation. Currently, May is the dental assistant supervisor, overseeing 13 dental assistants while continuing to chairside assist. May sits on the dental clinic s Executive Committee, and was instrumental in helping the clinic obtain accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). She also played a pivotal role in securing the funding to enable the clinic to increase its staff and expand services. With continuing education a high priority in her life, May has attended numerous expanded functions courses, as well as advanced periodontal scaling, periodontic assisting and assisting in oral surgery. I am happy and grateful that I pursued a career in dental assisting, May says. I serve my people with valuable and necessary clinical services, and we are all part of a team that is advancing public health. (Cont d on p. 7) DANB s Certified Press Spring

4 4 Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. Spotlight on Excellence ADAA Fellows Honored at Gala Three American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) members were named as Fellows at the ADAA/ADA Annual Session last October in San Antonio, Texas. The 2008 ADAA Fellows are: Marcia Steenhard, CDA Karen O Bryant Shelley Douglas, CDA The ADAA introduced its Fellowship Program in ADAA Fellowship and Mastership is only available to current members. There are about 400 members enrolled in the Fellowship program, and more than 30 have continued on to the Mastership program. To earn ADAA Fellowship, candidates must earn 300 credit hours from approved sponsors in lecture, participation, home study, and ADAA-sponsored coursework. DANB CDAs, COAs or COMSAs automatically receive 150 CE hours toward their Fellowship with proof of Certification. DANB CDPMAs receive 100 hours of credit. RDAs in California, Minnesota, or Michigan are also eligible to receive 150 hours of credit with proof of current state registration. No more than 150 credit hours are awarded for an existing credential. Once a dental assistant has achieved Fellowship, the ADAA recommends working toward the ADAA Mastership. The Mastership program requires a total of 400 credit hours through lecture, participation, home study, ADAA-sponsored coursework, dental-related college coursework, publications and dental community service. Masters are also recognized at the ADAA Annual Session and receive a special Mastership gift. Members enrolled in either program have up to 10 years from the date of enrollment to complete the program. There are currently about 60 ADAA Fellows. For more information, call the ADAA at or visit Southern Tier Dental Assistant Society to Meet March 7th The New York-based Southern Tier Dental Assistant Society held its inaugural meeting in November, writing a charter and electing its first officers: President Lorene Recker-Woodnorth, CDA; Vice President Martha Bohrer, CDA; Secretary Cheryl Chapman, CDA; and Treasurer Karen Comisi, CDA. The next meeting will be March 7. The new society covers the region from Corning to Oneonta, and includes Binghamton, Ithaca and Elmira. For more information or to join, call Recker- Woodnorth at or New York State Dental Assistant Association President Sue Camizzi, CDA, at camizzi1@aol.com. AAOMS Awards of Honor The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) recognized the outstanding achievements and contributions of several members during its annual meeting in Seattle last September. Award recipients included: The Distinguished Service Award OMS National Insurance Co. Special Honorary Fellowship Mr. David Patton Committee Person of the Year Award Dr. Brent T. Garrison Donald B. Obson Award for an Outstanding Educator Dr. Richard A. Finn DANB Executive Director Durley Wins Service Award DANB Executive Director Cynthia Durley, MEd., MBA received the 2008 National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA) Service Award. The award, presented at NOCA s Annual Educational Conference in November, recognizes Ms. Durley s exemplary dedication, commitment to the organization, and history of volunteer service to NOCA. Ms. Durley was nominated for the award by Executive Director of the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation and NOCA Immediate Past President Cynthia Miller-Murphy, RN, MSN, CAE. I believe Cindy Durley is most deserving of the NOCA Service Award, not because of the long list of committees and other groups to which she has belonged, but because of the tremendous commitment, energy, enthusiasm, diligence, hard work and dedication that she has provided to NOCA in each of the positions that she has held, Miller-Murphy said. NOCA is the national membership association for certification organizations and is an leader in promoting credentialing excellence through education, innovation and advocacy. DANB is a member of NOCA, which is composed of credentialing organizations, testing companies and individual professional development consultants. As the Executive Director of DANB, the national certification and credentialing agency for dental assistants, Ms. Durley upholds DANB s mission to promote the public good by providing credentialing services to the dental community. The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), NOCA s accrediting arm, has found that DANB programs meet its highest standards. This assures that DANB s national certification programs State News Roundup DANB Executive Director Cindy Durley with NOCA Executive Director Jim Kendzel. Indiana The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration has awarded a $185,000 grant to the Indiana State Department of Health to identify important oral health problems, the state announced in December The state is partnering with the Indiana University School of Dentistry and the Indiana University Center for Health Policy to form the Indiana Strategic Oral Health Initiative. New Jersey In August 2008, the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry (NJSBD) amended a rule to permit dental hygienists to administer local anesthesia under the direct supervision of a dentist after successfully completing a Board-approved course in such administration. They must also complete a continuing education course in order to maintain the permit to perform this function. and component exams are valid, reliable and objective in the testing process. In 1999, Ms. Durley was elected as one of 10 Commissioners of the NCCA. Serving as Co-Chair in 2002 and Chair in 2003 and 2004, Ms. Durley worked to revise NCCA s national Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. Ms. Durley concluded her three-year term on NOCA s Board of Directors by serving as NOCA President in During her tenure as a NOCA officer, Ms. Durley was primary author of A NOCA Guide to Understanding Credentialing Concepts. She also served on NOCA s Management Services Committee, which was charged with evaluating the organization s need for a new Executive Director and was instrumental in the search and hiring process. Cindy is a visionary leader and her abilities have greatly benefited NOCA; her service to NOCA has been exemplary in every way, Miller-Murphy said. Currently, Ms. Durley serves on NOCA s Leadership Council and NOCA s Main Committee on Assessment-Based Certificate Program Standards as the Co-Chair of the Work Group on Assessment. She is also a member of the NOCA ISO Task Force that is looking into standards for international accreditation of certification programs. Ms. Durley also serves on NO- CA s Research and Development Committee, which is charged with developing an overall direction for NOCA research, and developing funding mechanisms to support such research. It is a privilege and a pleasure to be involved with NOCA, an organization that promotes excellence in credentialing through education, research, advocacy, accreditation and standards, Ms. Durley said. DANB shares NOCA s vision of excellence, and I look forward to our continued relationship in the future. Professional Dental Assisting Conference to be Held With OSAP The Professional Dental Assisting (PDA) Conference will be held in conjunction with the 2009 Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures (OSAP) Symposium, June in Plano, Texas. The PDA Conference will feature informative sessions presented by the nation s best educators, all geared to the dental assistant. The conference provides professional development and continuing education opportunities in conjunction with the ADAA and supported by DANB. Additionally, attendees will have the chance to network with other dental assistants and experts from around the country. The OSAP Symposium, the nation s top conference on dental safety and infection control, will feature leading experts on infection control and occupational health and safety; these speakers will share information of critical concern to anyone involved in dentistry. PDA registrants will attend their own sessions, specific to the needs and interests of dental assistants, but there will be several opportunities to take advantage of OSAP Symposium activities such as the kick-off address by internationally known infection control authority Dr. John Molinari, social events and the exhibit hall, with products that address today s practice challenges from the leading manufacturers of infection control and safety products. The PDA-OSAP collaboration results from a natural synergy, as dental assistants play a key role in maintaining proper infection control practices in the operatory. For more information or to register for the PDA Conference or the OSAP Symposium, go to Massachusetts On Jan. 15, Massachusetts Gov. Patrick signed into law House Bill 5180, which will require dental assistants to register with the Board of Registration in Dentistry, effective July 1, However, the Board has not yet established the requirements for registration. Georgia On March 6, the Georgia Board of Dentistry will hear public comments and consider for adoption a proposed rule amendment related to Expanded Duties Dental Assistant (EDDA). Generally, the amendment would define the types of programs allowed to offer expanded duties courses, change the wording related to the minimum hours of required coursework, and require that a dentist administer a competency exam following the course or courses. In the proposed rule amendment, being a current DANB CDA will remain one way to being eligible to take EDDA courses.

5 Renewing DANB Certification DANB certification is valid for one year, and must therefore be renewed annually. In order to renew their certification, DANB Certificants are required to take 12 hours of Continuing Dental Education, 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 your certification expiration date, which is printed on your 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. Credentials CDE Hours (including CPR) Renewal Fee* One (1) 12 Hours $55 Two (2) 18 Hours $80 Three (3) 24 Hours $100 Four (4) 30 Hours $125 *A late fee of $10 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 (3) months of your expiration date, you are no longer certified and cannot use the CDA, COA, COMSA, or CDPMA acronym. To protect against misuse of the DANB credential, DANB sends reports of lapsed DANB Certificants to the state regulatory agencies on a regular basis. This sample timeline illustrates the DANB Certification renewal process. In this example, the individual s CDA expires Jan. 15, DANB Recertification Policy I. All continuing dental education (CDE) must directly relate to the practice of dentistry or dental assisting in order 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 Recertification Requirements. Call DANB prior to participation in education if you have questions about acceptance. II. December 1, 2008 January 15, 2009 January 16, 2009 March 15, 2009 April 16, 2009 A renewal notice is sent to Certificant. Signed statement and fee are due by this date or DANB Certification expires. Grace period begins. $10 late fee assessed. If fee not received, second notice sent. Grace period continues. If fee not received, Final Notice sent Fees and signed statement are not received. Grace period ends. Individual is no longer DANB Certified. Call FOR-DANB for reinstatement options. Please note that due to feedback from DANB Certificants, the number of renewal notices being sent before the renewal deadline has been reduced from three to one. 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 1/2 hours = 1.5 CDE credits; 2 3/4 hours = 2.75 CDE credits). III. Education dated prior to the initial certification date cannot be used to meet DANB CDE requirements. Certificants must earn the appropriate number of CDE hours during the first year of certification to maintain certification. IV. Education has a two-year lifespan. Certificants who carry over credits into the next renewal year must retain proof of 24 hours of CDE over a two-year period. V. Multiple Certifications: It is possible to be certified in each of four areas: CDA, COA, COMSA, and CDPMA. Renewal requirements are set at approximately 50% increase over basic requirements for each additional credential maintained. VI. Renewal Timing and Expiration: A three-month grace period is granted if the required CDE hours are not accumulated and appropriate fee is not received by the expiration date. An individual is considered certified during this three-month 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 your expiration date, you are no longer certified and cannot use the CDA, COA, COMSA, or CDPMA acronym. Misuse of any DANB credential is grounds for discipline under DANB s discipline policies and procedures (contact DANB for a copy). For reinstatement of a credential, contact DANB by phone at FOR-DANB, ext. 445 or by at vspears@danb.org. VII. Emeritus Status: DANB Certified Assistants may apply for Emeritus status if they have maintained continuous current Certification for four of the five years immediately preceding application and have: become totally and permanently disabled, or retired from the field of dentistry/dental assisting at age 60 years or older, or retired from the field of dentistry/dental assisting with 35 years of continuous (without any breaks) DANB Certification. Please visit DANB s Web site (at to view the complete DANB Policy on Emeritus Status or contact DANB at FOR-DANB, extension 445. Once Emeritus status is earned, Certificants must use this designation; i.e., Sue Smith, CDA-Emeritus. Continuing Dental Education (CDE) Requirements/Audit Procedures DO NOT SEND DOCUMENTATION UNLESS REQUESTED. MATERIALS WILL NOT BE RETURNED OR RETAINED BY DANB. To renew DANB Certification, the Certificant must earn and retain proof of 12 hours of acceptable CDE by the expiration date on the DANB certificate. The 12 CDE hour annual minimum is in line with states that have mandatory CDE requirements for dental assistants. The yearly CDE requirement emphasizes the importance of lifelong professional learning and ensures the continued competence of DANB Certified Assistants. So that DANB Certification continues to be known in the dental community as a Mark of Dental Assisting Excellence, some DANB Certificants are randomly selected for verification (audit) of their CDE hours 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 Dental Education Sources/ Categories for CDE Hours Recertification is earned through accumulating the required number of CDE hours 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, Certificant number, name of sponsor, date of course, number of CDE hours, subject matter, program title, and program presenter. 1. Mandatory CPR Certification CDE Hours: Maximum 4 hours Accepted Documentation: Copy of front and back of a current CPR card. 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. Visit for a list of DANB-approved CPR courses and providers. 2. Clinical Courses, Seminars, Table Clinics & Exhibits CDE Hours: Hour for Hour (no maximum) Exhibit Hours: Maximum 2 hours (1 hour per meeting) Accepted Documentation: Certificate of completion, DANB approval code, Letter of attendance/completion, Meeting badge (exhibits), Meeting badge/program page (table clinics or free on-site lecture), CDE printout from meeting, or similar documentation 3. Non-Clinical Courses, Seminars & Table Clinics Formerly called Electives (including Practice Management) CDE Hours: Maximum 3 hours for CDAs, COAs, & COMSAs Maximum 6 hours for CDPMAs Accepted Documentation: Certificate of completion, DANB approval code, Letter of attendance/completion, Meeting badge, Program page (table clinics or free on-site lecture), CDE printout from meeting, or other like documentation 4. Home Study Courses: Text-Audio-Video-Internet CDE Hours: Clinical Home Study Courses: Hour for Hour (no maximum) Non-Clinical Home Study Courses (for CDAs. COAs and COMSAs): Maximum of 3 hours Non-Clinical Home Study Courses (for CDPMAs): Maximum of 6 hours Accepted Documentation: Certificate of completion, DANB approval code, Letter of completion, or other like documentation 5. Video Or Audio Tapes From Convention Seminars CDE Hours: Maximum 3 hours Accepted Documentation: Copy of 250-word essay highlighting the meeting/course name 6. Reading CDE Hours: Maximum 2 hours Accepted Documentation: 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 (see below) 7. DANB Exams CDE Hours: Maximum 12 hours Accepted Documentation: Copy of Certificate or Official DANB Score Report 8. Community Participation CDE Hours: Maximum 3 hours Accepted Documentation: Certificate of completion, Letter of attendance/participation, or similar documentation 2009 DANB Recertification Requirements 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(s) are a matter of public record and may be disclosed. In addition, unless you choose not to allow it, from time to time, DANB will provide the names and addresses of certificants to dentists interested in hiring a DANB Certificant (CDA, COA, CDPMA, COMSA) or someone who has passed the Radiation Health and Safety or Infection Control examination from their area, and to providers of continuing education opportunities. DANB may also post current certificant status (certificant name, certification(s) earned, state in which certificant resides, and date of certification) on DANB s Web site. 9. College Courses CDE Hours: No Maximum Accepted Documentation: Grade report, Transcript, Letter of Verification (from instructor on school letterhead) 10. Scholarly Activity CDE Hours: Maximum 3 hours Accepted Documentation: 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 (see below) If you do NOT wish to receive non-danb mailings at your home address (i.e., current job opportunities, continuing education offerings, etc.), or you do NOT agree to allow DANB to publish your certification status (your name, certification(s) earned, state in which you reside, and date of your certification) on DANB s Web site, you must send a written request to have this information omitted from release or publication to: DANB, Attn: Director of Marketing and Communications, 444 N. Michigan Ave., Ste. 900, Chicago, IL, Many CDE courses that dental assistants attend or participate in are sponsored by ADA CERP and/or AGD PACE approved continuing education providers. These courses can be used to renew your DANB Certification(s). It is your responsibility to ensure you are earning CDE hours in the appropriate DANB CDE categories, as described in DANB s Recertification Requirements (above). Visit for complete Recertification Requirements. 5

6 DANB Director-At-Large Nominees The DANB Board of Directors is holding an election for the Director-At-Large Position. Patricia Sippel, CDA, currently serves in that role. Her term will expire at the close of the August 2009 Board meeting. An official ballot has been included in this Spring 2009 Certified Press, sent to all DANB Certificants who are eligible to vote for the Director-At-Large position on DANB s Board of Directors. Ballots must be postmarked by April 10, After receiving the ballot tally, and reviewing candidates responses to a series of written interview questions, the Board will elect into service the DANB Director-At-Large. The elected Certificant will begin serving a three-year term as a DANB Board Director at the conclusion of the August 2009 Board meeting. As a member of DANB s Board of Directors, the Director-At-Large will help establish policies, rules, regulations and requirements for DANB and its dental assisting certification and recertification programs. In addition to attending two Board meetings each year and participating in a variety of meetings by conference call, the Director-At-Large will serve on at least one of DANB s Board and/or exam committees. Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. Carol Oeder, CDA, COA, CDPMA, FADAA, LPN Hiawasse, GA Certification Date: December 27, 1984 Occupation: Office Manager for Dr. Ronald Treiber, DDS Certification Date: July 16, 1980 (CDA) Occupation: Compliance Specialist at Dental Associates Ltd. Reason for Interest in Board Position: I will be an active advocate for fellow dental assistants, and do my best to pursue education, legislation and advancement for the profession of dental assisting. My career and life experiences, and DANB certifications, will help me promote DANB Certified Assisting. Biography: Ms. Oeder earned her CDA in 1980, followed by CDPMA in 2001, and COA in She earned Fellowship in the American Dental Assistants Association (FADAA) in 2004 and is working toward her Mastership (MADAA). Ms. Oeder is currently a Compliance Specialist at Dental Associates Ltd., where she has been employed for nearly eight years. Prior to working at Dental Associates, Ltd. Ms. Oeder worked at Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin for 10 years as a dental assistant instructor. She also spent two years as a traveling dental assistant on various military bases. Ms. Oeder has served on the Milwaukee Area Technical College Dental Assistant Advisory Committee since 2004, and has been a member of the ADAA at the national, state and local levels since She has held numerous board positions including President of the Wisconsin Dental Assistants Association from and President of the Milwaukee Dental Assistants Society from She also served as a volunteer in oral health education at the Chippewa Indian Reservation, and has organized medical and dental groups to work in Third World countries. Ms. Oeder is the recipient of the ADAA Pride Award, the Rotary Foundation International Paul Harris Fellowship, Outstanding Franklin Woman of the Year Award, and the Milwaukee Dental Assistants Society Appreciation Award. Reason for Interest in Board Position: My goal is to obtain this valued position and to utilize my skills to their fullest. I strongly believe in the need to have standardized dental assisting credentials in all the states. I attended a non-accredited school but strongly believe in the importance of being a DANB Certified Assistant, as a professional. Biography: Ms. Walsh earned her CDA in She went on to complete an administrative assistant course at the L.D. Pankey Institute in 1999, followed by a Coronal Polishing/Pit & Fissure Sealant course at Illinois Valley Community College in Prior to her current position with Dr. Treiber, Ms. Walsh worked as Office Administrator for Dr. Arnold K. Chernoff, DDS for nearly 22 years. She also has experience as an expanded functions chairside assistant, X-ray technician, and as an OSHA, HIPAA and infection control coordinator. Ms. Walsh has been involved with the Illinois Dental Assistants Association for several years, serving as President from 1997 to 1999, and again from 2007 to present. She also is a member of the Chicago Dental Assistants Association, serving as President from 1994 to 1996, and as Continuing Education Chairperson and Board Member from 2006 to present. Reason for Interest in Board Position: I hold a deep commitment to the education and credentialing of dental assistants, and to that extent, I would strive to act as a strong voice for DANB Certified Dental Assistants and to elevate the profession of dental assisting. Biography: Ms. Worm has been a DANB CDA since 1975, and earned her Fellowship in the ADAA (FADAA) in She is a graduate of the Metropolitan Community College in Omaha. She is pursuing her Bachelors of Science in Business Management at Bellevue University, with just three credits left. Ms. Worm has been employed as the Dental Assisting Program Director of Vatterott College since Previously, she was employed for 10 years at the ADAA where she served as the Manager of Finance and Board Services. Ms. Worm also spent nearly 15 years working as Office Manager for Dr. Bruce W. Frank and 12 years with Dr. Walter J. Fahey as both Office Manager and Chairside Assistant. In 2008, Ms. Walsh earned the Sunstar/ADAA Pride Award in the Business Assistant category. Ballots for the DANB Director-At-Large position must be postmarked by April 10, 2009 In her career, Ms. Worm has received the Omaha Dental Assistants Society Dental Assistant of the Year, the Aloise B. Clement Achievement Award, the Sullivan-Schein 8th District Award of Excellence, and the Dr. Floyd Paynter Essay Award. Emeritus Recognition Program in Full Swing Last fall, DANB mailed recognition pins to all Emeritus Certificants who had not yet received them. DANB will continue to mail recognition pins on a monthly basis to those who earn Emeritus status. DANB staff gets in the spirit at the 2008 holiday lunch! Certification Date: May 31, 1975 Occupation: Dental Assisting Program Director for Vatterott College Ms. Worm has held membership in the ADAA at local, state and national levels since 1975; she served as ADAA President from 1995 to She sat on the ADA Ad Hoc Committee, a committee to investigate mandatory education and credentialing for dental assistants, as well as the NCR2000 Workforce Committee and 407 Technical Review Committee of the Nebraska Unicameral, both of which focused on oral health care legislation. DANB News DANB Snapshots Roberta Worm, CDA, FADAA Omaha, NE Carol Walsh, CDA Skokie, IL Updated DANB State Publications This Spring, DANB will issue the 2009 Career Ladder Templates for Dental Assistants and DANB s 2009 State Fact Booklet. Visit for the latest information on when these essential publications are available. Congratulations, New Certificants! 6 Some DANB staff members took a break to watch the presidential inauguration in Pioneer Plaza in Chicago.

7 Hazel O. Torres Memorial Award Finalists (cont.) Glenda Miller, CDA, BS, from Florida Students in Glenda Miller s class at Florida Community College are brought back to Medieval times. Miller brings flair and creativity to the classroom by dressing in period costume and conducting a medieval dental office at the college s annual Medieval Fair. Such techniques speak to Miller s passion for educating and engaging her students. Mrs. Miller gives us the confidence that we need in ourselves to be successful, her students say, adding that she has encouraged her students to never give up. She also stresses the importance of earning DANB Certification to her class. In addition to her commitment to the classroom, Miller is a dedicated professional. She has served the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) at regional, state and national levels, including President of the Evansville Dental Assistant Society, President of the Indiana Dental Assistants Association and Member of the ADAA Education Committee. Miller is also a co-author of the Instructor s Manual for Pearson s Comprehensive Dental Assisting, a reviewer for the Dental Assisting Workbook, Dental Assisting Skills, and Clinical Primer: A Pocket Guide for Dental Assistants. She also reviewed chapters and wrote answer rationales for the test bank for Torres and Ehrlich Modern Dental Assisting textbook. Jennifer Shuler, CDA, from Washington Being a dental assisting instructor at Bellingham Technical College is just the tip of the iceberg on Jennifer Shuler s resume. In addition to her full-time job, Shuler helped plan numerous programs, including the 2006 Community Summit on Oral Health, free dental sealant days for children, educational brochures, classes on senior oral health, and the 2005 water fluoridation initiative that raised community awareness. She has served on Whatcom County s Public Health Advisory Board for several years. Shuler says her dedication to oral health began 37 years ago when she started working as a dental assistant in high school. Realizing that education and certification were essential, she completed the dental assisting program at Bellingham, earned her DANB CDA, and continued working in general dental and orthodontic practices. In 1987, Shuler was offered a position at Bellingham, and has been an instructor at her alma mater ever since. She currently manages the dental clinic on campus, which supplements the students classroom training. Shuler is a lifelong learner, and earned her Bachelor s degree in Community Health six years ago, and is looking to pursue a Master s degree in a healthrelated field. Notable DANB Dates Dental Assistant Recognition Week March 1-7, 2009 Spring 2009 Convention Dates & Locations American Dental Education Association 85th Annual Session & Exhibition March 14-18; Phoenix, AZ Hinman Dental Society 97th Hinman Dental Meeting March 19-21; Atlanta, GA American Association of Orthodontists 2009 Annual Session May 1-5; Boston, MA Be sure to visit the DANB booth at the upcoming conventions and meetings listed above. Bring your current DANB wallet card to receive your certification ribbon and a special gift. DANB Office will be closed May 25 for Memorial Day. DANB s Certified Press Spring 2009 Top Dental Assisting Moments of 2008 In the last issue of Certified Press, DANB asked to hear about your most memorable dental assisting moments from Below are some of the highlights. Certified Dental Assistant Helps a Patient Get Back His Smile Donna M. Darling, CDA, from New York recounts her proudest dental assisting moment of last year. A patient came in on an emergency basis, when two teeth supporting a three-unit bridge had broken off at the gum line, she explains. The dentist was unable to restore the teeth, so the treatment plan included having a partial made and extracting the teeth. We had taken impressions for the partial that day, and [the patient] understood that he would be without his bridge, Darling says. We wouldn't be able to see the patient back for a few weeks [because] we had to wait for the partial to be made. We also needed medical clearance from his physician for the extractions. The patient was saddened to be without his bridge because Thanksgiving was in two days and his daughter s surprise 50th birthday party was the coming Saturday. Darling says she kept thinking of a way to help the patient and, after getting the OK from her dentist, started working on a solution. I had stayed after work that day and poured the impression we took for the partial, Darling says. Once the stone was set, I waxed his three-unit bridge that had broken off onto the model. I then placed it on the omnivac and used a.020 clear splint material and vacuum formed it over the model to make a matrix. I then trimmed the matrix, which held his bridge securely in place and smoothed the edges. The office manager, Linda, then notified the patient that he could wear a temporary device until his next appointment. When the patient arrived and Darling showed him the piece, the patient was amazed. He looked in the mirror and smiled, Darling recounts. It looked as though the bridge never broke off. He had practiced taking it off and putting it on a few times until he was able to without any problems. It was like he was wearing Invisalign. He was elated. He understood that it was only for aesthetics and he had to take it out to eat. When Dr. Krutchick came into the room, the patient told him that I was worth my weight in platinum. At the patient s next appointment, he told Darling the device worked so well, no one even noticed it wasn t his original bridge. Knowing I could make a difference in someone's life is rewarding in itself, even if it was for only a few weeks, Darling concludes. Donna M. Darling, CDA, takes a breather between patients at Dr. Krutchick s office. Julie Fleming and a book club member get excited about reading the next selection! Do you have a dental assisting moment that you d like to share? Send it to DANB at haronovich@danb.org! Certified Dental Assistant and Daughter Start Book Club for Children Cecilia J. Walter, CDA, COA from Ohio has started a book club for the children who come to ABC Dental, a dental clinic located in Huber Heights, Ohio. Walter says she got the idea from her daughter Julie Fleming, an early childhood educator. Walter also notes that many of the children and patients who visit ABC Dental are on public assistance. Julie and I, and two other employees from ABC Dental, went to a book sale in September of 2008 and bought used children s books to hand out to our children at ABC Dental, Walter explains. We now let our children pick out a book to take home along with their toothbrush, floss, and toothpaste. Fleming has also established a similar book club at another dental office in Dayton, Ohio. Our intention is to encourage reading and hopefully plant a seed, Walter continues. We have named our book club ABC Book Club and we are all very excited about this opportunity to possibly make a difference in a young child s life. I am proud to be a dental assistant and I love my job at ABC Dental. I am also very proud of my daughter. Cecilia Walter, CDA, COA, and a book club member show off his latest reading material. 7