Certified Press. Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. DANB s Online RHS Review Course Now Available

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1 Certified Press Measuring Dental Assisting Excellence TM Vol. 29, Issue 4 l Fall 2010 The DALE Foundation Announces Board of Trustees The Dental Auxiliary Learning and Education (DALE) Foundation is proud to announce its Board of Trustees. In addition to ex officio members Richard Hunt III, D.D.S.; Howard C. Bell, D.D.S.; Brenda Fell, CDA, CDPMA; and Carla Schneider, CDA, RDA, the DALE Foundation Board of Trustees includes six newly elected Trustees. Darci Barr, CDA, EFDA, B.S., is an educator in an international business college in Indiana, with prior experience as an educator at a CODA-accredited dental assisting program. She also has experience in writing and e-learning design. The DALE Foundation will provide continuing education to existing professionals, enabling them to utilize and incorporate their acquired knowledge into their daily practice, Barr says. [It is our hope that] through participation in the DALE Foundation, the gaps in the level of knowledge among the oral healthcare community will be bridged. Anita Craig, M.S., works in higher education administration and serves as the Director of Education and Membership Development for the American Association of Orthodontists, located in St. Louis. I look forward to contributing to the successful achievement of the DALE Foundation s objectives, she says. And in the process, I look forward to getting to know others who share an interest in advancing the knowledge and professionalism of dental assistants. Teresa Duncan, M.S., is President of Odyssey Management, a dental practice management consulting firm in Virginia, and a lifetime member of the American Association of Dental Office Managers. She also is a Fellow and certified educator for the Association of Dental Implant Auxiliaries. The professionalism that comes with a self-starting learner is a perfect fit for the dental office, she notes. DANB is proud to announce that the online DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) Review Course was released in August. The new course covers both conventional film and digital radiography, and learners earn 12 DANB CDE credits for successful completion of the course. The estimated time to complete the course is 12 hours, and the cost is $75. DANB is excited to provide additional e-learning courses to dental assistants, dental office managers and dental professionals, says Executive Director Cindy Durley, M.Ed., MBA. DANB s RHS Review Course can be one of the tools used to prepare for the Radiation Health and Safety component of the Certified Dental Assistant Exam, or as CDE to meet DANB's Recertification Requirements. In mid-2011, DANB will transfer the rights to this course to the DALE Foundation (see the article on page 3). In At the DANB Board of Directors Annual Meeting, held August 13-14, 2010 in Chicago, DANB elected its Board Officers: Chair - Richard Hunt III, D.D.S. Vice Chair - Carol Oeder, CDA, COA, CDPMA, FADAA, LPN Secretary - Karen Minca, CDPMA The Directors who concluded their final terms of service on DANB s Board of Directors at the end of the August 2010 meeting were Howard C. Bell, D.D.S., and Carla Schneider, CDA, RDA. DANB thanks these oral healthcare professionals for their many years of service to DANB and to dental assistants, says Executive Director Cindy Durley. DANB is pleased to welcome incoming Board Directors Mary Harrison, CDA, EFDA, EFODA, FADAA, Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. Steven Fink, D.M.D., former practicing dentist, is now the director of a CODA-accredited dental assisting program in New Jersey. He is the Immediate Past President of the New Jersey Dental Association, and works as a dental consultant with experience developing e- learning programs. As an employer dentist, I believe in constant self-improvement through continuing education and stress the importance of lifelong learning for all members of the dental team, he explains. Taking advantage of technology allows delivery of distance learning and lifelong learning that will broaden the education network and enhance the learning process. Lori Gagliardi, CDA, RDA, RDH, Ed.D., has a background in organizational leadership and is currently the director of a CODA-accredited dental assisting program in California. She is also a member of the Dental Assisting Review Committee, a CODA advisory committee. The DALE Foundation will benefit the oral healthcare community by providing high-quality continuing education courses and resources, she states. With the diverse population of individuals seeking dental care or providing dental health information to the public, it is imperative that the oral healthcare community have access to the latest information. Virginia Jorgensen, CDA, EFDA, EFODA, A.A.S., is an educator in a CODA-accredited dental assisting program in Oregon, who says, I believe the latest technology has already improved our ability to deliver and enhance learning. The sky is the limit to the ways it can be used to deliver, improve and enhance learning. Each Trustee brings extensive experience and expertise to the DALE Foundation Board, said Liz Koch, M.P.H., M.Ed., COO to DANB and the DALE Foundation. I look forward to working closely with the Trustees to meet the mission of the DALE Foundation. DANB s Online RHS Review Course Now Available the meantime, DANB's RHS Review Course is available through DANB to those dental assistants who are looking for an interactive, self-paced online course to help them to prepare for DANB's RHS exam. Earlier this year, DANB launched its first two e-learning courses: DANB s Conventional Dental Radiography Review Course and DANB s Assessment-Based Certificate Program (ABCP): Accounts Receivable. Look for DANB s ABCP: Human Resources Fundamentals for the Dental Professional coming in winter In 2011, the DALE Foundation s website will be launched, and at this time, current e-learning courses will be rebranded under the DALE Foundation and new online courses will be introduced. In spring 2011, look for DANB s Infection Control (ICE) Review Course. In early 2012, DANB s General Chairside Assisting (GC) Review Course will be available. To learn more or to purchase DANB s e-learning courses, visit DANB Welcomes New Board Directors, Elects Officers Outgoing Director Carla Schneider, CDA, RDA, (left) with incoming Director Mary Harrison, CDA, EFDA, EFODA, FADAA. and Frank Maggio, D.D.S. Ms. Harrison and Dr. Maggio began the first of a possible two threeyear terms at the conclusion of the August 2010 DANB Annual Meeting. Ms. Harrison was elected by DANB's Board of Directors from a slate of qualified nominees provided by the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA). It is with great pleasure and excitement that I begin my term on DANB s Board of Directors, she noted. Dr. Maggio was elected by DANB's Board of Directors from a slate of Incoming Board Director Frank Maggio, D.D.S. At the Annual Meeting held in August, the DALE Foundation Board elected the following Trustees as officers: President: Carla Schneider, CDA, RDA President-Elect: Steven Fink, D.M.D. Secretary-Treasurer: Howard C. Bell, D.D.S. Immediate Past President: Brenda Fell, CDA, CDPMA In March, after the DALE Foundation filed its articles of incorporation, DANB distributed a call for nominations for the DALE Foundation s founding Board of Trustees to various individuals and members of DANB s communities of interest. The DALE Foundation sought candidates with experience in as many of these areas as possible: research, education (dental, dental hygiene, dental assisting), e-learning, employer (dentist), employment (dental office manager), public health, and/ or corporate interests. To have been considered, candidates were required to submit a letter of interest; a resume or curriculum vita; a letter of recommendation from an employer, supervisor, co-worker, or from someone who has served with the nominee on a committee or board of a state or national oral healthcare organization; and written responses to interview questions. The call for nominations closed on April 30. In its call for nominations for the DALE Foundation Board of Trustees, DANB received nominations from 26 highly qualified dental assistants, dental hygienists, dentists, educators, and oral healthcare consultants. DANB s Board of Directors faced a very difficult task in reviewing the nominees, said Cindy Durley, M.Ed., MBA, Executive Director of DANB and the DALE Foundation. It was evident that all nominees took this process very seriously. The quality of candidates was unsurpassed. The DALE Foundation Board and staff are excited to begin working together to promote this new organization's mission. The DALE Foundation cont d. on page 3. Dental Assisting Competition Winners Shine at SkillsUSA CDA l COA l CDPMA l COMSA Read more on page 7. qualified nominees provided by the American Dental Association (ADA). Dr. Maggio stated, I consider it an honor to serve on DANB s Board. DANB Congratulates Dr. Howard C. Bell DANB is also pleased to congratulate Dr. Howard C. Bell, outgoing DANB Board Director and Immediate Past Chair, on earning the Florida Dental Association (FDA) Service Award. A longtime member of the American Dental Association (ADA) and the FDA, Dr. Bell has served in numerous national and local capacities, including FDA trustee, delegate to the ADA, and chairperson of several DANB and FDA committees, and FDA councils. He is also a longtime supporter of the Florida Dental Health Foundation. Dr. Bell received the award at the FDA annual meeting in June. Dr. Bell remarked that he was very touched to have been selected for the award.

2 Word from the Chair Richard Hunt III, D.D.S. Chair, DANB Board of Directors With the final days of summer behind us, this back-to-school time is always buzzing with excitement. Sept. 1 also begins a new fiscal year for both DANB and the DALE Foundation, and with it, new committee appointments and new opportunities for collaboration with DANB stakeholders. DANB has also been buzzing with excitement over several of its new initiatives, including the Certified Oral Preventive Assistant (COPA) Certification program (page 3), and the latest e-learning course, DANB s RHS Review Course (page 1). Not only a great source of review for students and exam candidates, DANB s e-learning courses are also a fun and convenient way for DANB Certificants and other dental auxiliaries to earn CDE credits. This spring, DANB s e-learning courses will be transferred to the DALE Foundation, a DANBaffiliated but separately incorporated nonprofit organization. You can read more about the progress that the DALE Foundation has made since its incorporation in March 2010, on pages 1 and 3 of this issue. Congratulations to Emeritus Certificants May 1, July 31, 2010 Name/State Certification Year Florette Applebaum, CDA-Emeritus; NJ 1976 Linda Boyum, CDA-Emeritus; MN 1982 Valerie Burkart Schmitt, CDA-Emeritus; WA 1975 Marie Gore-Hawks, CDA, CDPMA-Emeritus; NC 1982 Ella Mae Jarrett, CDA-Emeritus; PA 1993 Judy Johnson, CDA-Emeritus; MT 1981 Paula Ladd, CDA-Emeritus; IN 1989 Barbara Marasciulo, CDA-Emeritus; NY 1997 Hideko Moore, CDA-Emeritus; NJ 1989 Ivra Pearce, COA-Emeritus; FL 1979 Laura Powell, CDA, CDPMA-Emeritus; GA 1990 Joan Roberts, CDA-Emeritus; OK 2000 Phyllis Rossen, CDA-Emeritus; FL 1991 Debra Sanchez, CDA-Emeritus; OR 2001 Cathy Schifrin, CDA-Emeritus; OH 1984 Phyllis Sukut, CDA-Emeritus; FL 1979 DANB s Board of Directors held its annual meeting in Chicago in August, and made several important decisions that will lay the groundwork for the years to come. Both DANB and the DALE Foundation will develop new websites in the coming year, and both organizations governing boards will engage in strategic planning to form the basis for organizational priorities for the next three years. The August Board meeting also marked the conclusion of the terms for outgoing Board Directors Howard C. Bell, D.D.S., and Carla Schneider, CDA, RDA. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Bell and Ms. Schneider for their many years of dedicated service to DANB and to the dental assisting profession. Their professionalism and tireless efforts on behalf of DANB set an example for all of us to aspire to. Thanks also, to DANB exam candidates and Certificants, and to their supportive educators and employer dentists. Over the past year, DANB experienced an all-time high in exam candidate volume and number of Certificants. Congratulations! I look forward to serving this year as the Chair of DANB s Board of Directors and holding an ex officio position on the DALE Foundation Board of Trustees. This year promises to be busy for both organizations with many exciting initiatives, but I am certain that DANB and the DALE Foundation will continue to maintain the highest levels of excellence in every pursuit. With warm regards Industry Updates Academy of General Dentistry Announces 2010 Executive Committee On July 8, 2010, the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) announced its newly elected Executive Committee. A formal ceremony to recognize AGD s new officers was held at the AGD 2010 House of Delegates in New Orleans. The Executive Committee members are: President - Fares M. Elias, D.D.S., J.D., FAGD President-Elect - Howard R. Gamble, D.M.D., FAGD Vice President - Jeffrey M. Cole, D.D.S., MBA, FAGD Secretary - Linda J. Edgar, D.D.S., M.Ed., MAGD Treasurer - Maria A. Smith, D.M.D., MAGD Speaker of the House - W. Mark Donald, D.M.D., MAGD Editor - Roger D. Winland, D.D.S., M.S., MAGD Immediate Past President - David F. Halpern, D.M.D., FAGD Fares M. Elias, D.D.S., J.D., FAGD, has been a member of the AGD since 1979, and has served as a member of the Board of Trustees for eight years. He has also served as the director of Region 9, which includes Michigan and Wisconsin and was a past president of the Michigan AGD. At the AGD 2010 House of Delegates in New Orleans, Elias gave his inaugural address and described the AGD s future goals. We should enhance membership benefits and offer our members the services that they want, the benefits that they need and those that they deserve in a culture of candor and trust. They have earned it. This is what I am advocating, Elias stated. Howard R. Gamble, D.M.D., FAGD, has served the AGD as speaker of the house and as vice president. Since 1979, Gamble has been active in AGD, spending his time as a delegate and alternate delegate to the AGD for 17 years and the American Dental Association for 10 years. He is the past president of both the Alabama AGD and Alabama Dental Association Jeffrey M. Cole, D.D.S., MBA, FAGD, has been an active member of AGD since 1988 and represents Region 5, which includes Washington, D.C., Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. In 2006, Cole was elected treasurer and held this office for four years. He has also served on the AGD Dental Care Council and Dental Education Council and chaired the Video Journal of Dentistry Editorial Board and New Program Development Subcommittee. David F. Halpern, D.M.D., FAGD, has been an AGD member since He received the AGD s Distinguished Service Award in He was also a member of the AGD Foundation Board for six years, and served as the board s treasurer for four of those years. In addition, he has served as director of Region 5, which includes Delaware, Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. On July 6th, 2010, Halpern concluded his year as AGD President with a final speech to the AGD. While the AGD is the voice of the general dentist, the bedrock or history of this organization is as the recognized authority on quality continuing dental education. We represent those in our profession who are dedicated to the highest standards of care through their commitment to continuing education, Halpern expressed. For more information, visit or call AGD-DENT. Smiles Change Lives: Call for Patients Since 1997, Smiles Change Lives (SCL) has changed the lives and smiles of more than 1,200 children thanks to the dedication of hundreds of orthodontists nationwide. And, this year, SCL is hoping to reach out to even more communities and create even more smiles. Now serving all 50 states, SCL helps low-income children obtain orthodontic treatment, with the support of the talented and caring orthodontists who have teamed up with the program to provide pro bono, comprehensive treatment for SCL-approved patients. Dr. Frank Egan, one of the SCL partner orthodontists, is a strong supporter of the program. If we can just connect with the kids who need braces but can't afford to have them, then we ll be able give them a running start for the future, Egan says. Andrea Umbreit, SCL Director of Marketing, notes that the program s biggest challenge is getting the information to potential patients. We Dr. Terry Guenthner, one of more hope that oral than 300 SCL orthodontists, and one healthcare professionals will of his SCL patients. recommend SCL to any family who has concerns about being able to provide braces for their child, she says. For more information, visit or contact Andrea Umbreit at andrea@smileschangelives.org or at Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. CDA l COA l CDPMA l COMSA

3 DANB News Fall 2010 DANB s E-Learning Courses Meet Pennsylvania CE Requirements In August, Pennsylvania s Bureau of Radiation Protection confirmed that DANB s Conventional Dental Radiography Review Course (4 CDE credits) and DANB s Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) Review Course (12 CDE credits) can be used to meet the Pennsylvania Radiation Control Division s Quality Assurance program continuing education requirements for x-ray operators. It is the responsibility of the x-ray machine licensee to ensure that all operators demonstrate two contact hours or four CDE credits every four years. DANB is very proud of the high quality of its e-learning courses, says DANB Executive Director Cindy Durley. Public protection is part of DANB s mission, and we are very pleased that these online offerings are recognized by Pennsylvania s Bureau of Radiation Protection to meet continuing education requirements. For more information on the requirements to perform dental radiologic procedures in Pennsylvania, visit the State Specific section of DANB s website at www. danb.org, or visit the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection at To purchase DANB s e-learning courses visit www. danb.org/learning. State of the States Update Alaska The Alaska Board of Dental Examiners revised its coronal polishing requirements for dental assistants effective July The requirements include completing an application, submitting a $50 fee and completing a program of instruction approved by the Alaska Board of Dental Examiners. The coronal polishing certificate must be renewed biennially on or before December 31 of even-numbered years. Arkansas In May, the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners approved a rule updating the sedation monitoring requirements for dental assistants, to include earning two hours of continuing education in emergency management or direct care of sedated patients. Dental assistants must provide this information when renewing their Sedation Assistant permits biennially. Illinois The Illinois Board of Dentistry approved changes to the course requirements for monitoring nitrous oxide and monitoring dental patients under minimal, moderate and deep sedation. Effective May 2010, the course requirement for dental assistants to monitor nitrous oxide changed from 12 hours to 6 hours. To monitor a patient under minimal, moderate and deep sedation, dental assistants must complete a course or courses totaling 12 hours or more including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, monitoring and emergency procedures with an emphasis on airway management in both a classroom and clinical setting. Or, if a dental assistant has completed the requirements for nitrous Vol. 29, Issue 4 l Fall 2010 At the August 2010 Annual Board Meeting, DANB s Board of Directors approved the DANB Recertification Requirements for the Certified Oral Preventive Assistant (COPA) Certification. Currently, the COPA exam is in the pretest phase. For the complete DANB Major Board Actions, visit The first COPA certifications will be awarded in December 2010 at the end of the pretesting phase to those who meet the COPA eligibility requirements and pass all four COPA component exams Coronal Polishing (CP), Sealants (SE), Topical Fluoride (TF), and Topical Anesthetic (TA). DANB is enthusiastic about the positive response and excitement around the COPA pretest, says Director of Testing and Measurement Johnna Gueorguieva. DANB is proud to be able to offer a new certification mark for dental assistants to demonstrate their knowledge in these four functions and to underscore their commitment to professionalism and lifelong learning. Those who earn COPA Certification in the pretest phase will need to renew in December DANB s Board of Directors approved the definition, recertifica- Members of the DALE Foundation Board of Trustees gathered with enthusiasm for the inaugural Board of Trustees Annual Meeting, which was held in Chicago on August 12, Among the many issues discussed at the meeting, the Board of Trustees voted to officially change the name of the foundation to the Dental Auxiliary Learning and Education (DALE) Foundation to reflect the foundation s plans to offer broad resources for all oral healthcare professionals. Additionally, the Board of Trustees approved the following mission statement: The DALE Foundation, an independent affiliate of DANB, benefits the public by providing quality education and conducting sound research to promote oral health. The Board also voted on a logo and tagline for the DALE Foundation, which will be unveiled in spring Current e-learning offerings are branded under DANB. Re-branding of these offerings, unveiling its website, and launch of the DALE Foundation to the public, is expected to occur by spring of The DALE Foundation was incorporated on March 17, 2010 as a nonprofit education and research foundation, with DANB as its Sole Member. As the Sole Member, DANB elects and can remove Trustees to the DALE Foundation s Board of Trustees. The DALE Foundation must report its Major Board Actions taken at the Winter and Annual Board meetings to DANB s Board. DANB s Recertification Requirements for COPA Certification The DALE Foundation Board Kickoffs First Annual Meeting in Chicago For more information on the Major Board Actions from the DALE Foundation Board of Trustees 2010 Annual Meeting, visit oxide monitoring, then an additional 6 hour course on advanced airway management and monitoring equipment is required for monitoring minimal, moderate and deep sedation. Kentucky During the 2010 legislative session, the Kentucky Assembly passed House Bill 179, creating a new Dental Practice Act, effective July, 15, The new Dental Practice Act creates two categories of dental assisting: a Registered Dental Assistant and a Dental Auxiliary. In addition, the Kentucky Board of Dentistry is in the process of creating new regulations including new requirements and procedures for the registration, duties, training and standards of practice for dental assistants. Emergency Regulations are in effect until January 11, 2011 while the Dental Board completes the new regulations. The new Dental Practice Act, Emergency Regulations and information about the pending regulations can be found at Maine The Maine Board of Dental Examiners updated its dental assisting rules to allow dental assistants to place temporary crowns with temporary cement under the direct supervision of a dentist, effective June Massachusetts The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry approved a new Dental Practice Act that went into effect August 20, The major changes to dental assisting include acceptance of all DANB current and upcoming general and dental specialty dental assisting tion requirements, and reinstatement policy for DANB s COPA Certification. A DANB Certified Oral Preventive Assistant (COPA) is defined as a dental assistant or dental hygienist, who: 1. Meets the certification, education and/or experience prerequisites established by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), AND 2. Passes DANB s Certified Oral Preventive Assistant (COPA) exam, which is comprised of component exams covering Coronal Polishing (CP), Sealants (SE), Topical Anesthetic (TA), and Topical Fluoride (TF), AND 3. Is currently CPR certified, AND 4. Continues to maintain the Certification by meeting DANB Recertification Requirements (including continuing education, current CPR certification, and annual fee). After the COPA exam pretest concludes, DANB will communicate with dental boards in the 32 states that currently allow qualified dental assistants to perform these four functions about the benefits of this new DANB certification program. The 32 states that currently allow or do not prohibit qualified dental assistants to perform all four of these COPA functions are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia. DANB will launch this new COPA Certification program to qualified dental assistants in April In addition to the full COPA exam, DANB will administer each individual COPA component exam Coronal Polishing (CP), Sealants (SE), Topical Fluoride (TF), and Topical Anesthetic (TA) to assistants in states that allow or do not prohibit each specific function to be performed. Currently, 43 states allow dental assistants to perform coronal polishing procedures, 35 allow dental assistants to apply sealants, 44 allow dental assistants to apply topical fluoride, and 48 allow dental assistants to apply topical anesthetic. Each state has different requirements to perform these functions, if the function is allowed in the state. Go to the State Specific section of DANB's website at www. danb.org for this information or for the link to each state dental board's website. COPA cont d. on page 4. certifications in this state. The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry also added two new dental assisting categories: Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) and Formally-Trained Dental Assistant (FTDA). Currently, the dental assistant workgroup is meeting to draft additional regulations for the registration requirement for dental assistants. The new regulations can be found at Oregon The Oregon Board of Dentistry approved the addition of periodontal probing to the list of prohibited acts for dental assistants, effective May Pennsylvania In April, the governor of Pennsylvania signed House Bill 944. The bill further defines an Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA). The bill includes a more detailed list of allowable functions, including placing and contouring amalgam and other restorative materials, coronal polishing, fluoride treatments and taking impressions for athletic appliances. Proposed Rules Many states are in the process of proposing or adopting rule changes for dental assistants, including Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington. Visit your state dental board website or contact your state chapter of the American Dental Assistants Association to find out how to become involved in the legislative or regulatory processes. 3

4 DANB 2010 Recertification Requirements Reminder: DANB Renewal and Exam Fee Increases As a reminder, at the August 2009 Annual Meeting, DANB s Board of Directors approved a small renewal fee increase to take effect January 1, 2012, and moderate exam fee increases scheduled to take effect January 1, DANB has not raised renewal fees since 2007 or exam fees since Therefore, these increases were approved to keep up with inflation. In 2012, renewal fees will be $60, effective with Certificants whose expiration date is January 1, 2012 or thereafter. DANB will continue to accept applications from the 2010 Candidate Guide with the 2010 exam fees through March 31, As of January 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 DANB's COPA Recertification Requirements To renew COPA Certification, the Certificant must meet these DANB Recertification Requirements: Earn 12 CDE credits All must be related to the clinical practice of dentistry or dental assisting. This includes categories 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 from DANB s Recertification Requirements. Hold current DANB-accepted CPR certification (category 1 from DANB s Recertification Requirements) Pay annual renewal fee The renewal fee structure for DANB Certifications remains the same, but a level was added to reflect those DANB Certificants who hold all five DANB Certifications: # of Certifications Required Annual CDE Credits Yearly Annual Fee 1 12 credits (including CPR) $ credits (including CPR) $ credits (including CPR) $ credits (including CPR) $ credits (including CPR) $145 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 a 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 REQUESTED. DANB WILL NOT RETURN OR RETAIN MATERIALS. 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 DANBaccepted 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 Renewal Fee* (including CPR) One (1) 12 Credits $55 Two (2) 18 Credits $80 Three (3) 24 Credits $100 Four (4) 30 Credits $125 *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 (3) months of the expiration date, the Certificant is no longer certified and cannot use the CDA, COA, COMSA, or CDPMA acronym. To protect against misuse DANB Recertification Policy Relevance to Practice of Dentistry or Dental Assisting All continuing dental education 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 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 1/2 hours = 1.5 CDE credits, 2 3/4 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. 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 4 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, 2009 January 15, 2010 January 16, 2010 February 28, 2010 March 31, 2010 April 16, 2010 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, COMSA, and CDPMA. In December 2010, DANB will begin issuing a fifth certification, Certified Oral Preventive Assistant (COPA), following pretesting of this new program. Renewal requirements are set at approximately 50% increase over basic requirements for each additional certification maintained. 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 Earn 12 CDE Credits With PDEP Visit to download a PDEP order form. Earn 12 CDE Credits With DANB s E-Learning Courses Visit A renewal notice is sent to Certificant. Signed statement and fee are due by this date or DANB Certification expires. Grace period begins. A $10 late fee is assessed. If the fee is not received, a second notice is sent. Grace period continues. If the fee is not received, the final notice is sent. If the fee is not received, a reminder is sent to the Certificant. The grace period ends. If the fees and signed statement are not received, the individual is no longer DANB Certified. Call FOR-DANB for reinstatement options. Renewal Timing and Certification Expiration A three-month CDE grace period is granted if the required CDE credits are not accumulated and 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, COMSA, or CDPMA certification marks. DANB s certification marks are registered with the United States 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 FOR-DANB ( ), 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 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. CDA l COA l CDPMA l COMSA

5 Continuing Dental Education (CDE) 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. Categories for CDE Credits Renew online at 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. Certificants may earn a maximum of one CDE credit annually by reading at least six technical/dental articles published within your 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. 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 examination. 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. 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 from for any materials evaluated for adoption. Vol. 29, Issue 4 l Fall 2010 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. Category 6: DANB Exams CDE Credits: 12 Credits Copy of Certificate or Official DANB Score Report 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 Examination 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. Category 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. Category 8: College Courses CDE Credits: No maximum Grade report, transcript, letter of verification from instructor on school letterhead CDE credits are awarded for each scientific-oriented college credit/unit successfully completed at the following levels: Three (3) College Credits/Units = Twelve (12) CDE credits Two (2) College Credits/Units = Six (6) CDE credits One (1) College Credit/Unit = Three (3) CDE credits In order to be accepted by DANB to meet DANB s Recertification Requirements, college courses must directly relate to the practice of dentistry or dental assisting (i.e., dentistry, dental assisting, dental hygiene, anatomy/physiology, all biology, all chemistry, nutrition). To avoid non-acceptance of credits, call DANB to ascertain whether a course is acceptable and at what CDE credit level. Category 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 continuing dental education 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. Certificants may earn all twelve CDE credits required annually by DANB if they are currently enrolled in a college program to earn an advanced 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 BA, BS, MA, or other recognized degree program. Accepted documentation is a document from the college registrar s office indicating currently enrolled status. 5

6 Spotlight on Excellence DANB Certificant Goes the Extra Mile for Patients For Amy Paundlay, CDA, there is no such thing as an average day at the office. There s also no such thing as an average patient. That s because Paundlay is the special needs liaison at the Kids First Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics dental office in Fairfield, Conn. With support from the doctors, Paundlay developed and implemented a program to serve a special group with unmet needs. And thanks to Paundlay s efforts, every special needs patient who visits the office receives personalized care. Paundlay has extensive pediatric dental experience and has taken continuing education courses that addressed working with children who have special needs, especially autism and sensory disorders. One of the most important things to these children and their parents is continuity of care, Paundlay explains. In this program, I work with every single child so they see a familiar face at each visit and communicate with the same person. This is also very reassuring for parents because they know that the staff here is up-to-date on their child s history. The first step that Paundlay takes with a new patient is placing a comfort call to the parents prior to the appointment. During the comfort call, Paundlay speaks with the parents about any concerns or questions they may have, and learns more about the child s needs. This comfort call sets the stage for the child s customized orientation package. Prior to the office visit, patients receive a package including a personalized activity schedule, social story, and role playing items. These items help the patient to visualize what will happen before and during the office visit. The package may also include charts and checklists, depending on the patient s reading level and learning style. These items help prepare not only the child, but also their parents. The biggest fear that the parents usually have is that the child will have a bad experience, Paundlay says. For instance, the child might have had a bad experience with medical testing, such as being held down during a blood test, and is now wary of all doctors' offices. The comfort call is key to calming and reassuring the parents and patient that the visit will be a great experience. The patient information gathered from the comfort call is also passed along to the doctor, hygienist and other dental team members who will be working with the patient. Keeping the dental team informed about the patient s needs reduces patient and parent anxiety, minimizes any troubles that may arise during the visit, and increases overall efficiency. Paundlay ensures a successful visit because she is willing to take extra measures for her patients. We pull out every stop, she says. I m willing to blow bubbles for the patient or give him a quiet space, if necessary. And, we let the child dictate what gets done that day. Some patients are afraid of the chair and the overhead light, so we work around that. Strategies such as counting routines and songs may be used during the visit to calm patients. Additionally, continuous rewards throughout the visit help to reinforce positive behavior and give patients a sense of pride and accomplishment. Watching the Program Take Flight The team at Kids First includes four dentists, one orthodontist, plus the clinical and administrative teams. The doctors have extensive experience in pediatric dentistry and offer restorative and preventive dentistry, as well as orthodontics. The special needs program officially began in March, and Paundlay says it would not have been possible without the support of the doctors. Children with special needs have always been patients at our office, and I saw a growing need for a special program, Paundlay recounts. I work for an amazing practice that was really willing to listen to the way I envisioned the program being developed and implemented. And, this practice allowed it to transpire. Anything that I can do to help even one patient is wonderful, but with this program, we re able to impact so many families. Paundlay says word of the program has spread through the medical community, as well as through patient word-of-mouth. Pediatricians, occupational therapists and speech therapists in the area are familiar with the Kids First program and often refer their patients. And Paundlay says when one parent is happy, the news travels fast. The parents are so grateful to have additional resources for their child, she notes. The program is growing even faster than we anticipated, and we re thrilled. For more information about the Kids First special needs program, or starting this type program in your office, please contact Amy Paundlay, CDA at the Kids First office at , kidsdentistry@snet.net or visit Kathy Zwieg, CDA, Goes Inside Dental Assisting Kathy Zwieg, CDA, LDA, has had an impressive career as a DANB Certified Assistant. She worked for years as a chairside assistant, and then moved into front office and practice management. Zwieg went on to earn a business degree, and worked on the operations and professional relations side of dental office management, also writing policy and procedure management for dental practices. She has worked as an educator in two dental assisting programs in Minnesota, and is a past board chair of Oral Health America (OHA). Zwieg is active in the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA), serving as president in 1994, and most recently participating on the legislative committee for the Minnesota Dental Assistant Association. In June, AEGIS Communications announced that Zwieg joined the group as publisher and editor-in-chief of Inside Dental Assisting (IDA). The addition of Kathy to our team creates opportunities to grow and enhance the publication and further our reach to an important profession and member of the dental team the dental assistant, AEGIS President and CEO Daniel Perkins said. We enthusiastically welcome her. DANB was fortunate to be able to speak with Zwieg about her career and what she sees for IDA s future. Certified Press: You ve been DANB Certified for more than 30 years. What made you decide to earn and maintain DANB Certification? Kathy Zwieg: I became DANB Certified at the direction of one of my dental assisting instructors who believed quite strongly that all dental assistants should be Certified. I have always found it to be of great value. When you work hard for something, you want to preserve it. Now, with the new legislation in Minnesota, dental assistants need to be DANB Certified in order to be licensed. I am pleased this was included in the requirements. Certified Press: What advice would you give to dental assistants who are looking to begin their careers? Kathy Zwieg: Working as a chairside assistant is a great career. However, for chairside assistants who wish to broaden their horizons, there are so many opportunities within the profession. Clinical experience is invaluable, especially for those who wish to become practice managers, dental assisting educators or perhaps move into an insurance or dental sales position. Certified Press: What are some of the ways you recommend to begin networking? Kathy Zwieg: The first step is to attend dental meetings and find out what s going on locally. If you have a dental assisting chapter in your area, attend those meetings and then participate. Also, have an online presence whether it s subscribing to an online publication or connecting to the ADAA through Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter. You have to be visible if you re interested in networking. Certified Press: You ve had an impressive career. How did the conversation to work at IDA begin? Kathy Zwieg: It s really a testimony to networking. I ve known AEGIS President Dan Perkins for many years because we serve on the OHA board together. Dan approached me because he thought I could be a great fit for AEGIS and Inside Dental Assisting. It sounded like a great opportunity, so I came on board. Certified Press: What will your role be at IDA? Kathy Zwieg: I ll be working with the staff on redesigning the magazine and developing the 2011 editorial calendar. We ve been doing a lot of research, and there s still a big unmet need for continuing education for dental assistants. AEGIS mission is education first, so IDA will really focus on CE. That s what I like about AEGIS the commitment to education. Certified Press: What are you looking forward to most? Kathy Zwieg: I m so excited about this magazine and the ability to reach dental assistants across the country. We really want to hear from our readers and know their interests, wants and needs so that we can bring value to them as professionals. To subscribe to Inside Dental Assisting, visit www. insidedentalassisting.com. Dental Assistant of the Year Competition Inside Dental Assisting magazine is accepting nominations for the Dental Assistant of the Year Award. Qualifications include: Minimum of five years of continuous practice Membership in the American Dental Assistants Association Registered or certified to practice Shows dedication to continuing education and improvement to the dental assisting profession Experience in writing and/or speaking address and Internet access The grand-prize winner will receive: A $2,500 cash award A feature article in a future issue of Inside Dental Assisting, including a cover photo Airfare, hotel accommodation, meals and entertainment expenses for travel to Colgate-Palmolive s headquarters in New York City for the Dental Assistant of the Year award ceremony The first and second runners up will receive a $250 cash award and be highlighted in a future issue of Inside Dental Assisting. Nominations are accepted until November 15, To submit a nomination, visit 6 Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. CDA l COA l CDPMA l COMSA

7 DANB CDA Finds Her Calling Karla Segovia, CDA, has seen firsthand how the gift of a smile can transform a child and his or her family. Segovia works as a dental assistant at the Dell Children s Medical Center in the Craniofacial and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Center in Austin, Texas. Segovia works with four other DANB CDAs, a pediatric dentist, orthodontist, several craniofacial plastic surgeons, speech pathologists, nurses, social workers, neurologists and other healthcare specialists to provide comprehensive care to children with craniofacial anomalies. The Craniofacial Center treats all children infants through the age of 18. We provide orthodontics and pediatric dentistry to children with a variety of medical complexities including cleft palates, cleft lips or other craniofacial syndromes, or trauma to the face, Segovia explains. Our patients come from all over south central Texas and Mexico because we re the only hospital in the region that offers these services. The Cleft program offers a monthly parent support group that provides a forum for parents to meet and discuss issues and concerns or just socialize with other parents of children with cleft lip/palate. One aspect of Segovia s job is communicating with the parents and helping to calm them during a stressful situation. Parents often blame themselves and are very upset when they come to our clinic, Segovia notes. But I am so proud because I know their children are in the best hands with our craniofacial and orthodontic/pediatric dentistry teams. We strive to not only provide the best patient care, but to also rebuild the patient s and parents self esteem which is vital to their livelihood. Children at the center also feel reassured when they see other children with similar medical complexities or diagnoses. The kids and the parents realize that they are not alone and through all of their treatments and visits, the clinic becomes like a second home, Segovia Dental Assisting Competition Winners Shine at SkillsUSA The winners of the 46th Annual SkillsUSA Championships in dental assisting were announced on June 25, 2010 at the awards ceremony of the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. The conference was held at the Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Mo. During the weeklong event, more than 5,600 career and technical education students competed in a hands-on competition in 96 different trade, technical and leadership fields. The dental assisting competition took place on June 24 and covered chairside assisting; preparation of dental materials; infection control; and emergency, laboratory and office procedures. Meghann Elliott, a student at Central Pennsylvania Institute for Science and Technology, took the gold in the post-secondary dental assisting competition. Elliott says her participation in the SkillsUSA Championships was a milestone in her career. My year would not have been complete without the component of SkillsUSA, she notes. It was an honor to compete and take first place at nationals something I ll never forget! In addition to Elliott, other top-placing students in the post-secondary level were Amber Wesson, a student from the Center for Technology in Vermont, who won the silver award; and Melissa Blackburn from Wilkes Community College in North Carolina, who took the bronze. At the high school/secondary level, winners were: Gold Saraia Sheppard, Manatee Technical Institute, Florida Silver Jessica Dugan, Central Pennsylvania Institute for Science and Technology, Pennsylvania Bronze Melissa Denny, Center of Applied Technology South, Maryland Jennifer Ponson, CDA, of Pensacola State College in Florida served as Chair of the National Technical Committee. The opportunity to run the dental assisting contest in Kansas City was very rewarding, she says. It is inspiring to see the time and effort students spend working to be the best in their chosen profession. National Education Team members include Sharon Farrington, CDA, of Northeast Metro Technical School in Massachusetts; Martha Townes, CDA, of Wilkes Community College in North Carolina; and Brenda Ware, CDA, of Manatee Technical Institute in Florida. Vol. 29, Issue 4 l Fall 2010 adds. To see a newborn come in with a cleft palate and then to see that same child transform over to a toddler and is happy and healthy, is a wonderful feeling. A Rewarding Career Segovia loves her job and has been working at the Dell Children s Medical Center for nearly three years. However, she almost left the dental profession entirely. I was in the dental field for 16 years, she recounts. I began right out of high school because health and dentistry always interested me. But I was working in the same office for so long, and the job became routine. For a change of pace, Segovia took a job in the emergency room at the hospital, but soon found out there was an opening for a dental assistant at the Craniofacial Center. It sounded like an interesting opportunity, Segovia explains, so she applied. The position provided a new set of challenges and opportunity for professional growth. In addition to onthe-job training for orthodontic assisting and training in the operating room at the hospital, Segovia needed to earn DANB Certification. Because we re dealing with children and seeing trauma and other severe cases, being DANB Certified is required for all dental assistants, Segovia explains. The orthodontic team, left to right: Karla Segovia, CDA; Gina Keltgen, CDA; Joe Castaneda, CDA; Ty Gladyn, CDA; Alice Zamora, pediatric assistant. To prepare, Segovia reviewed with a dental assisting text book. Even with my work experience and studying, I was nervous, she says. My job was dependent on earning DANB Certification. Segovia s hard work paid off and she passed the exam and has maintained her DANB Certification ever since. For DANB Certified Assistants who may not be sure which type of office is right for them, Segovia recommends being placed in dental offices as a temporary employee, by working through a temporary agency, to get a sense of the nature of the work. There are so many areas to explore general dentistry, cosmetic, orthodontics, endodontic and many others. Look around and gain experience. You never know what might catch your interest, she explains. I temped for about six months until I found an office where I really felt part of the team. Segovia recommends maintaining DANB Certification, pursuing continuing education, and earning additional certificates in expanded duties, if allowed in your state. Segovia, who works in Texas, earned a state-specific (Texas) certificate in pit and fissure sealants and is working toward her Texas coronal polishing certificate. Take advantage of every opportunity for professional advancement because it is a way to enhance your career and move up in your job, she says. Segovia is also proud to announce that the dental assisting team recently started the local American Dental Assistants Association chapter for Austin/Travis County and the surrounding counties. We are working hard on providing DANB-approved continuing education courses and updating all dental assistants on any changes in legislature in our area, Segovia notes. The Austin Dental Assistants Society has a bright future. AADOM s Annual Conference is Full of Excitement The first graduating Fellow of the American Association of Dental Office Managers (FAADOM) charter class will be inducted at the 6th Annual Dental Managers Conference, which will be held October 22-23, 2010 in Las Vegas. This year AADOM will be inducting 25 graduates into FAADOM. The requirements for AADOM Fellowship include: Three years minimum experience as a dental office manager or CDPMA designation Letter of recommendation from a current or former dental office employer Current AADOM member in good standing Successful completion of DANB s ABCP: Accounts Receivable e-learning course Attendance at one AADOM Annual Conference over the course of 3 years Completion of 15 AADOM CE hours Completion of the AADOM Fellowship application form I am incredibly proud of the AADOM members who will be inducted into the charter class of Fellows this year. The entire Fellowship program has been a labor of love for me and a long-awaited distinction for dental office managers. For most, the induction will represent the pinnacle of their career in dental practice management, says AADOM President Heather Colicchio. I have seen an enthusiasm and determination in this first class of Fellows unlike anything else I have witnessed in my career in dentistry. Earning FAADOM designation is far from easy, but these members have done so with determination, grace, and a true passion for what they do. To register for the Dental Managers Conference or to learn more about AADOM Fellowship, visit Lori Streeter (left), AADOM Vice President of Business Development, and Heather Colicchio, AA- DOM President, smile at the 2009 AADOM Dental Managers Conference. In addition to DANB s ABCP: Accounts Receivable, this winter, DANB will introduce another e-learning course for office managers DANB s ABCP: Human Resources Fundamentals. We are very excited to work with AADOM to offer resources for office managers who are looking for engaging career development opportunities, said DANB s Executive Director Cindy Durley, M.Ed., MBA. DANB s ABCP is an accessible, affordable online program that provides participants with documentation of their dental office management knowledge. To purchase DANB s ABCP: Accounts Receivable e-learning course, visit AADOM will also announce the winner of its 2010 Office Manager of the Year competition at the Dental Managers Conference. AADOM is currently reviewing nominations for the 2010 Office Manager of the Year, and will unveil the winner in October. Kay Valentine of Indianapolis won the prestigious award in She was nominated by her employer, Dr. Gary Llewellyn who says, Kay has brought our office to extraordinary levels. She has pushed us to be our best! The recipient of the Office Manager of the Year award will receive: Free registration to AADOM s 7th Annual Dental Managers Conference in 2011 A feature story and photo on the cover of The Observer, the official magazine of dental office managers $1,000 prize provided by CareCredit The deadline for entries is September 17, The winner will be announced at the 2010 AADOM Dental Managers Conference, which will be held October 22-23, 2010 in Las Vegas. Visit for more information. 7