Recertification Requirements
2016
Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.
444 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60611-3985
1-800-367-3262 Fax: 312-642-3550 Email: recertification@danb.org
www.danb.org
Overview of DANB’s Recertification Requirements
To maintain certification, DANB certificants must annually:
• Maintain DANB-accepted, hands-on CPR, BLS or ACLS certification
• Earn the required amount of Continuing Dental Education (CDE) credits
• Submit a completed renewal notice, including:
• Answering the background information questions
• Signing and dating the renewal notice
• Paying the annual renewal fee
Use of DANB Certification Marks
You may use a DANB certification mark after your name on a resume, business card, website, in a book or
publication, and in other print and electronic media. You may also display the mark on a nametag or uniform
worn during the rendering or promoting of certified services, and on a wall plaque present at the place where you
render or promote the certified services. If you earned DANB certification in the past but have not maintained
certification, you may not use the DANB mark.
Renewal Rewards
Benefits of earning and maintaining DANB certification include:
•
Personal pride
•
Professional advantage
•
Recognition
•
Greater earning power
•
Career advancement
•
Enhanced career mobility
•
Acknowledgment
Upon earning DANB certification, each certificant will receive a pin indicating the certification earned. Wear your
certification pin with pride!
As part of our recognition program, DANB certificants receive anniversary milestone gifts. At 5 years, DANB
certificants receive their first anniversary milestone gift. At every five years of certification, a certificant will receive
an anniversary milestone gift.
Access Certification Information on DANB’s website (www.danb.org)
• Log on at any time to check your certification status
• Review current Renewal Requirements
• Renew online
• Explore state regulations
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Steps to Renew Your DANB Certification
Step 1: Maintain CPR, BLS or ACLS certification.
You must maintain DANB-accepted, hands-on CPR, BLS or ACLS certification while holding DANB certification. Refer to a
list of DANB-accepted providers and courses on page 4.
Step 2: Earn CDE credits.
There are many ways to earn CDE credits. See page 4 to learn more about the CDE categories.
Keep track of your CDE credits using the Recertification Recording Form on page 8 of this packet.
Number of
Certifications
Required CDE Credits
2016 Renewal Fees
($20 late fee added if paid after expiration date)
1
2
3
4
5
6
12 credits (plus CPR, BLS or ACLS)
18 credits (plus CPR, BLS or ACLS)
24 credits (plus CPR, BLS or ACLS)
30 credits (plus CPR, BLS or ACLS)
36 credits (plus CPR, BLS or ACLS)
42 credits (plus CPR, BLS or ACLS)
$65
$90
$110
$130
$150
$170
Step 3: Receive your renewal notice.
If you provided DANB with your email address, you will receive a renewal notification by email nine weeks before your
certification expiration date. You will receive a paper renewal notice seven weeks prior to your certification expiration if you
have not yet renewed by that time. Before renewing, review your CDE credits and verify that your DANB-accepted, handson CPR is current and has been maintained throughout your renewal period. If you have not yet earned all of the required
CDE credits, this is the time to complete these requirements!
Step 4: Submit your renewal online or by mail.
When you submit your renewal, you must attest that you have earned the required CDE credits; have maintained DANBaccepted, hands-on CPR, BLS or ACLS certification; and have answered DANB’s background questions honestly. You
will also need to submit your renewal fee. Renewal fees are the same whether renewing online or by regular mail. See
your renewal notice for instructions.
Step 5: Receive your new certificate and wallet card.
After processing your renewal, DANB will mail your new certificate and wallet card in approximately one to two weeks (for
online renewal) or four weeks (for renewal by regular mail). If you do not receive your renewal certificate and wallet card
within the appropriate period of time, please contact DANB.
Renewal Requirements
The table below outlines the maximum number of annual credits you can count toward renewal in each of the four CDE
categories. See full descriptions and requirements of each CDE category starting on page 4.
CDE Categories and Maximum Annual Credits
CDE Category
1. Clinical Practice*
2. Dental Office Management
3. DANB and Other Dental-Related Exams
4. Volunteer Service or Scholarly Activity
CDA
COA
CPFDA
CRFDA
COMSA
CDPMA
12
3
12
3
12
3
12
3
12
3
12
3
12
3
12
3
12
3
12
3
5
6
6
3
*Whether you hold one or more DANB certifications, you must earn a minimum of two CDE credits in
infection control (e.g., instrument sterilization/reprocessing) annually. The annual federally mandated
OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard training does not count toward the annual minimum of two CDE
credits required in infection control.
Earning and Applying CDE Credits
All CDE must directly relate to the practice of dentistry or dental assisting to maintain or improve dental assisting knowledge.
CDE does not need to be preapproved by DANB. Please call DANB prior to participation in education if you have questions
about whether it will count toward the CDE requirements. Programs must be at least 45 minutes in length to qualify for CDE
credit. Credits for CDE courses are calculated in 15-minute increments (e.g., 45 minutes = .75 CDE credits, 1 hour = 1 CDE
579.5 Recertification Requirements (01/16)
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credit). CDE has a two-year lifespan. Any credits that are earned in excess of the number required in that renewal period
may be carried over to the next renewal period. You should retain proof of CDE for two years in the event of audit.
Required CDE credits must be earned by the last day of your renewal period. After earning certification, CDE credits may
only be earned in advance for a future renewal period, not for a previous renewal period (that is, CDE credits may not be
applied retroactively). For DANB certificants who just earned DANB certification, your renewal period begins upon earning
your certification. For DANB certificants who hold more than one certification, your renewal period begins on the anniversary
of the date you earned your most recent DANB certification.
CPR, BLS or ACLS Requirements
You must maintain DANB-accepted, hands-on CPR, BLS or ACLS certification for annual renewal of DANB certification.
DANB only accepts CPR, BLS or ACLS certification from the providers below. Courses must provide instruction on CPR,
BLS or ACLS and must include a hands-on exam. CPR, BLS or ACLS from other providers or courses will not be accepted.
CPR, BLS or ACLS certification does not count toward the required number of CDE credits. Online CPR, BLS or
ACLS courses will not be accepted unless there is a hands-on exam from a DANB-approved provider.
DANB-Accepted CPR, BLS or ACLS 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
Emergency University*
EMS Safety Services
Medic First Aid
Medical Training Associates
Military Training Network
National Safety Council (Green Cross)
ProCPR*
Saudi Heart Association
*Not all courses include the hands-on exam, so check with
provider before taking course to be sure it will be accepted by
DANB. Online courses will not be accepted.
Continuing Dental Education (CDE) Categories
Refer to the Continuing Dental Education Categories and Maximum Annual Credits table on page 3 for more information
on category maximums.
CATEGORY 1: CLINICAL PRACTICE
CDE credits earned in this category must be directly related to the clinical practice of dentistry or dental assisting. Whether
you hold one or more DANB certifications, you must earn a minimum of two CDE credits in infection control (e.g., instrument
sterilization/reprocessing) annually. The annual federally mandated OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard training does
not count toward the annual minimum of two CDE credits required in infection control. This category includes but is not
limited to:
1. Attending or participating in clinical professional development lectures, courses (including online and home study courses)
and/or table clinics that are directly related to clinical knowledge and chairside duties including but not limited to dental
materials, four-handed dentistry, infection control, radiology, expanded functions, behavior management (e.g., children,
patients with learning disabilities), communication, non-human dentistry (i.e., canine and feline dentistry).
Proof: Certificate of completion, letter of attendance/completion on sponsor letterhead including sponsoring organization
name and contact information, meeting badge/program page (table clinics or free on-site lecture), CDE printout from
meeting or similar documentation. All documentation must be official and must include the certificant’s name, the title of
the course, the date the course was completed and the number of hours or credits received.
Credits: One CDE credit for each clock hour of attendance/participation in a session.
2. Authoring or editing articles or text books on clinical topics.
Proof: For proof of publication, submit a copy of the publication, including title, author’s name, publisher and publication
date.
Credits: Two CDE credits for each article/book published.
3. Completing scientific-oriented college courses.
Proof: Transcript or grade report, or letter from instructor on school or organization letterhead, verifying course
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completion which must include the candidate’s name, title of course, the date the course was completed and the number
of college credits/units.
Credits: Four CDE credits for one college credit/unit.
CATEGORY 2: DENTAL OFFICE MANAGEMENT
CDE credits earned in this category must be directly related to dental office management. This category includes but is not
limited to:
1. Attending or participating in dental office management lectures, courses (including online and home study courses) and/
or table clinics that are directly related to dental office management and practice communication services: dental practice
acts, practice management, time management, risk management, stress management, HIPAA, patient motivation
(e.g., keeping appointments), staff motivation (e.g., leadership, goal setting), computer courses (e.g., college courses,
software training), insurance, claims/billing, foreign language studies, American Sign Language, human resources,
marketing (e.g., yourself, your office) and communication.
Proof: Certificate of completion, letter of attendance/completion on sponsor letterhead or including sponsoring
organization name and contact information, meeting badge/program page (table clinics or free on-site lecture), CDE
printout from meeting or similar documentation. All documentation must be official and must include the certificant’s
name, the title of the course, the date the course was completed and the number of hours or credits received.
Credits: One CDE credit for each clock hour of attendance and/or participation in a session.
2. Complete dental office management-related college courses.
Proof: Transcript or grade report, or letter from instructor on school or organization letterhead, verifying course
completion, which must include the certificant’s name, title of course, the date the course was completed and the
number of college credits/units.
Credits: Four CDE credits for one college credit/unit.
CATEGORY 3: DANB EXAMS AND OTHER DENTAL-RELATED EXAMS
Certificants may earn CDE credits for passing DANB or other dental exams.
1. Successful completion of any DANB-administered exam, excluding any exams used to earn initial certification. These
exams include any DANB national exam or any DANB state or agency-contracted exam. Certificants can earn 12 CDE
credits for successful completion of any DANB Professional Development Examination Program (PDEP) module.
Proof: Provide the name and date of the DANB exam or PDEP module.
Credits: Successful completion of a DANB-developed and DANB-administered exam of at least 100
questions and any DANB PDEP module is worth 12 CDE credits. Successful completion of a DANBdeveloped and DANB-administered exam consisting of fewer than 100 questions is worth six CDE credits.
2. Successful completion of non-DANB-developed, dental-related, professionally proctored exams consisting of at least
100 questions.
Proof: Provide the certificate or exam result of the completed exam, along with a description of the exam from the
organization that delivers the exam (must include the date the exam was taken and/or scored)
Credits: One CDE credit for each clock hour designated for the completion of the exam. If no time is specified, one hour
will be allowed for every 100 questions.
CATEGORY 4: VOLUNTEER SERVICE OR SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY
Certificants may earn a maximum three CDE credits by participating in dental-related community volunteer service or by
providing CDE.
1. Examples of volunteer service include: international/national mission work, voluntary clinic work or dental health
presentations to students or groups. Volunteer service also includes serving on a DANB exam committee. Community
service 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.
Proof: Certificate of completion, letter of attendance/participation or similar documentation, on letterhead of the
sponsoring service organization or including sponsoring organization contact information. DANB will verify participation
of DANB exam committee members.
Credits: Each clock hour of participation in volunteer dental-related community service is worth one CDE credit, for
up to a maximum of three CDE credits in this category.
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2. Examples of scholarly activity include: teaching a professional course directly related to dentistry or dental assisting
that is outside the certificant’s normal employment teaching responsibilities, presenting a CDE program that is outside
the certificant’s normal employment teaching responsibilities, or authoring a published article in a recognized dental
assisting journal.
Proof: Certificate of completion, letter of attendance/participation or similar documentation, on letterhead of the
sponsoring service organization or including sponsoring service organization contact information. For proof of a
published article, submit a copy of the article including the name of the journal in which it was published, the article title
and date of publication.
Credits: Three CDE credits will be earned for scholarly activities.
Audit
Each year, a percentage of DANB certificants are selected for audit of CDE credits and DANB-accepted, hands-on CPR,
BLS or ACLS certification. While most audits are random, some may be at DANB’s discretion. Specific instructions will be
sent to those being audited. When selected to participate in DANB’s audit process, you must provide the following:
 Proof of CDE credits earned during the renewal period
 Copy of the CPR, BLS, or ACLS card(s) for the entire renewal period through the current date
 Completed Recertification Recording Form
Required Documentation
If audited, you must submit a copy of the front and back of your DANB-accepted, hands-on CPR, BLS, or ACLS card(s) held
for the entire renewal period and through the current date. The card must be dated (including the issued date and expiration
date) and signed or imprinted with the instructor’s name, and must have your name and/or signature on the card.
Documentation (proof of CDE and CPR, BLS or ACLS certification) should be retained for two years in the event of audit. It
is your responsibility to retain documentation that verifies attendance at or participation in all CDE activities that will be used
for renewal credit, including providing proof that DANB-accepted, hands-on CPR, BLS or ACLS certification was maintained
during the renewal period.
Upon successful completion of an audit, certification will be instated for the full renewal year, and you will be sent a renewal
certificate and wallet card within one to two weeks.
There are several reasons you might fail a DANB audit:
 Failure to show DANB-accepted, hands-on CPR, BLS, or ACLS certification was maintained during the renewal
period and is current at the time of audit
 Failure to include proof of CDE credits for the current renewal period
 Failure to earn the required number of CDE credits to meet recertification requirements
 Failure to earn the appropriate credits in accordance with DANB’s recertification requirements
 Failure to submit acceptable documentation
If you fail to submit any required documentation for the audit, you will receive an Incomplete Audit letter indicating any
deficiencies in the audit. You are encouraged to submit the additional proof, or, in some cases, use the grace period to earn
additional CDE credits to comply with the audit. If you do not meet the requirements, you will fail the audit and will no longer
be DANB certified.
Appeal Policy and Procedures
A copy of DANB’s Appeal Policy and Procedures is available at www.danb.org. All appeals must be submitted within 30
calendar days from the date of the adverse incident or correspondence.
DANB Renewal and Reinstatement Policies
If you do not renew your DANB certification within three months of its expiration date:
1. You are no longer DANB certified.
2. You may not use DANB marks or registered certification marks or present yourself to the public as being a DANB
certificant, in any manner.
3. You will no longer benefit from the greater earning power, career mobility, peer recognition and overall enhanced
employment opportunities that more than 36,000 DANB certificants enjoy.
To protect against misuse of DANB certification marks, DANB sends reports of DANB certificants whose certifications have
lapsed to state regulatory agencies on a regular basis. Misuse of any DANB certification or service mark is grounds for
discipline under DANB’s Disciplinary Policy and Procedures (www.danb.org).
579.5 Recertification Requirements (01/16)
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Renewal Timing and Certification Expiration
DANB allows a grace period of up to three months from the date of certification expiration to complete the renewal process
including earning CDE credits and submission of renewal form and payment. DANB will assess a late fee will if you renew
during your grace period. DANB will consider you certified during this time. If you do not renew within three months of the
expiration date, you are no longer certified and cannot use DANB’s certification marks.
How do I reinstate my DANB certification if I allowed it to expire?
If your DANB certification has lapsed and you would like to reinstate the certification, please call 1-800-367-3262, ext.
451, or email recertification@danb.org.
Emeritus Status
Emeritus status indicates a certificant who is retired from or, for medical reasons, is no longer employed in a dental office or
dental assisting position, but who is permitted to retain the certification(s) last held as an honorary title.
To learn more, download the Emeritus application from DANB’s website or contact DANB at 1-800-367-3262, ext. 451 or
recertification@danb.org
Release of Information
I understand DANB verifies to anyone by phone, by mail or on DANB’s website regarding whether I hold any DANB certifications, including Certified
Dental Assistant (CDA), Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA), Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant (CPFDA), Certified Restorative
Functions Dental Assistant (CRFDA), Certified Dental Practice Management Administrator (CDPMA) or Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Assistant (COMSA); any DANB certificates of knowledge-based competency, including Radiation Health and Safety (RHS), Infection Control (ICE),
Coronal Polish (CP), Sealants (SE), Topical Anesthetic (TA), Topical Fluoride (TF), Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology (AMP), Impressions
(IM), Temporaries (TMP) and Isolation (IS); in addition to or as well as any state-specific certificates administered by DANB on behalf of a state
regulatory body, including the Arizona Radiologic Proficiency Certificate, Arizona Coronal Polishing Certificate, Oregon Radiologic Proficiency
Certificate, Oregon Expanded Functions Dental Assistant Certificate and Oregon Expanded Functions Orthodontic Dental Assistant Certificate.
Phone and mail verification will be provided to anyone upon request and will consist of oral or written confirmation of whether I hold any of the
DANB-administered credentials listed above and the effective dates for each. Online verification through DANB’s website consists of online display
of my name, the DANB-administered credentials I hold and dates earned, current DANB certification status, and my city and state of residence.
My full address will not be posted online by DANB. I further understand and agree that DANB may provide my name and address along with the
names and addresses of certificants and those holding DANB certificates of knowledge-based competency third parties (e.g., potential employers,
dental conference sponsors, federal, national or state organizations or legislative committees or task forces proposing or informing stakeholders
of legislation). I further understand that this consent will remain in effect unless and until I submit a written request to have this information omitted
from release. I understand that if I do not want DANB to display my city and state of residence as part of the online verification process, then I
must submit a written request for omission of this information to the following address: DANB Communications Department, 444 N. Michigan Ave.,
Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60611. (I understand that my name, credentials held [issued by DANB as described above] and current DANB certification
status will be displayed for everyone; opting out of display of information is only possible for an individual’s city and state.)
I understand that by providing my email address to DANB, I am consenting to receive email messages from DANB and its affiliates related to
their products and services or news affecting the dental assisting profession. I understand that DANB agrees not to provide my email address to
any third party without my consent, and that I can request removal from DANB’s email distribution list by following the directions contained in the
Privacy Policy section of DANB’s website at www.danb.org.
DANB asks that the Request for Credential Verification form be completed before providing an official verification letter to DANB certificants, those
who hold DANB certificates, or employers.
Purpose of DANB’s Recertification Requirements
DANB recognizes the dynamic and emerging roles of DANB certificants in providing quality care to patients in a dental setting. DANB assists
certificants in meeting these ever-changing roles by requiring Continuing Dental Education (CDE) credits to maintain these DANB certifications.
DANB patterns its definition of CDE after that of the American Dental Association. CDE consists of educational activities designed to review
existing concepts and techniques, to convey information beyond the basic dental assisting education and training, and to update knowledge on
advances in scientific, clinical and non-clinical practice-related subject matter, including evidence-based dentistry. The objective is to improve the
clinical knowledge of the individual to provide the highest quality of service to the public and the profession. All CDE should strengthen the habits
of critical inquiry and balanced judgment that are associated with the truly professional and scientific person and should make it possible for new
knowledge, as it becomes available, to be incorporated into the practice of dental assisting.
This yearly CDE requirement is consistent with states that have mandatory CDE requirements for dental assistants. In addition, the requirements
enhance the continued competence of DANB certificants and promote DANB’s goal of lifelong professional learning and development for its
certificants.
DANB requires certificants to maintain DANB-accepted, hands-on CPR, BLS or ACLS certification since as dental health care professionals it is
important that certificants are prepared for any emergency that can occur in a dental setting. Maintenance of DANB-accepted CPR, BLS or ACLS
certification is vital to protecting the public.
© 2016 Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. The DANB logo is a registered trademark of the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB). NELDA®, CDA®, COA®, CRFDA®,
CPFDA®, CDPMA®, COMSA®, DANB®, and Dental Assisting National Board® are registered certification marks of DANB. RHS®, ICE®, and Measuring Dental Assisting Excellence®
are registered service marks of DANB. CERTIFIED DENTAL ASSISTANT™ is a certification mark of DANB. Mark of Dental Assisting Excellence™ is a service mark of DANB. Use
of these marks is strictly prohibited, except as provided in the Usage Guidelines for DANB Trademarks, without the express written permission of DANB.
579.5 Recertification Requirements (01/16)
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Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB)
Recertification Recording Form
DANB requires certificants to retain proof of earning Continuing Dental Education (CDE)
credits and of maintaining DANB-accepted, hands-on CPR, BLS or ACLS certification
while holding DANB certification. Required CDE credits must be earned by the last day of
the renewal period.
Do not submit documentation unless you are selected for audit by DANB. Unsolicited
documentation will not be returned or retained.
Instructions
•
•
•
IF YOU ARE AUDITED
• Submit a completed Recertification Recording Form and
copies of supporting CDE and CPR documentation.
• Do not submit your Recertification Recording Form and
supporting documentation separately.
• Do not submit original documents because they may
become lost or destroyed in the mail, and DANB does not
return audit documentation.
The Recertification Recording Form will help you track your
CDE and CPR documentation for each renewal period.
As you complete each CDE credit and earn CPR, BLS or
ACLS, update this form and retain documentation as proof
of attendance/course completion.
The two minimum infection control credits count toward
the total number of CDE credits required.
DANB Certificant Information
Name ______________________________________________________ Certification Number_______________________
Home Address _______________________________________________ City ____________________ State_____ Zip ____________
Home (______) _______________________Work (______) _______________________ Cell (______) _________________________
Fax (_____) ______________________________________ Email Address _______________________________________________
I hereby attest that I have maintained DANB-accepted, hands-on CPR, BLS, or ACLS certification for the entirety of my renewal
period and obtained CDE credits as recorded below.
Signature
X __________________________________________________________________ Date X _______________________
CPR/BLS/ACLS Recording Chart
DANB-accepted hands-on CPR, BLS, and ACLS certification must be maintained for the entire renewal period.
Course Name
Provider
Issue Date
Expiration Date
CDE Credit Recording Chart
Date
# of Credits
Category
Sponsor
Title
DANB Use
Infection Control CDE Credits (2 required annually)
DANB • 444 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 900 • Chicago, IL 60611 • 1-800-367-3262 • Fax: 312-642-3550 • danbmail@danb.org • www.danb.org
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