The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) is the certification and credentialing agency for dental assistants in the United States.  Beginning in November of 2007, they will provide information on their website that lists each state’s duties and requirements concerning dental assistants.  This will be an invaluable resource for anyone planning to become a dental assistant, as each state regulates dental assistants and determines which duties they will be allowed to perform and what education if any, they are required to pursue.

This will allow the aspiring dental assistant to make career and educational plans and if desired, it will make it easy to compare the requirements of a dental assistant to those of a dental hygienist.  After comparing the two careers, those planning to enter the dental care field will be able to make an informed decision.

The DANB offers 3 national credentials that a dental assistant can earn.  These are Certified Dental Assistant - CDA®, Certified Orthodontic Assistant – COA®, and Certified Dental Practice Management Administrator – CPMA®.   There are eligibility as well as exam requirements that must be met in order to earn these certifications.  Typically though, the more education a dental assistant has, the more he or she can expect to earn in this career.

Attire For The Dental Assistant: Dental assistants begin wearing their uniforms the first day of school, or if they are receiving on the job training, the first day of work.  Generally referred to as “scrubs,” they are very similar to what healthcare professionals in doctor’s offices and hospitals wear.

The dental assistant also wears a cover-up or gown over the scrubs as part of the infection control procedures.  He or she typically wears a mask, safety glasses, and gloves during dental procedures.

Most scrubs these days are cheerful looking and comfortable, and they sure beat the heck out of a dress and stockings.  They usually include a comfortable, loose-fitting top and matching pants.  Scrubs come in solid colors as well as many different patterns.  Often, the pattern coincides with the nature of the care being performed.  For example, nurses who work with newborn babies often wear scrubs with babies or rattles imprinted on them, and thus the dental assistant may wear scrubs with toothbrushes or something along that line imprinted on them.

Comfortable, non-skid shoes are an important part of the dental assistant’s wardrobe.  He or she is on their feet the majority of the working day and during chairside procedures, standing in one place a good part of the time.

Jewelry is not a feasible part of the dental assistant’s wardrobe, as it can get caught on instruments or otherwise impede the dental assistant from performing his or her duties effectively.

Overall, the dental assistant can expect to wear comfortable and attractive clothing during the workday.