Certification Policies

Certification

 

Association professional designations are: Certified Dental Assistant Level I (CDA), Certified Dental Receptionist (CDR), Certified Preventive Dental Assistant (CPDA), Certified Dental Assistant Level II (CDA II), and Certified Dental Treatment Coordinator (CDTC). These designations and credentials may only be used after the name of currently certified Association members.

 

Members must apply for certification status and pay a fee as established by the Board of Directors. If a member is already certified, they pay a reduced fee for additional certifications.

 

A member shall agree to comply with Association policies and with the Code of Ethics as defined in the Appendices to Association policy. A member shall report to the Association regarding any criminal charge or conviction.

 

The Association reserves the right to refuse certification to a member.

 

All renewals of certification shall expire on December 31 of each year. Each certified member must renew membership, submit documentation of 12 continuing education credits and currently be practicing dental assisting for annual certification renewal. A member may submit documentation demonstrating a need for accommodations regarding the renewal requirements.

 

Certified Dental Assistant Level I (CDA)

 

Candidates for level I certification must be members in good standing and have:

1. successfully completed an Association-approved level I dental assisting program registered under the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005;
2. successfully completed a program or radiography course approved under the Healing Arts Radiation Protection Act, 1990 and its Regulations; and
3. achieved a pass mark of 65% on the Association level I certification examination.

 

A member educated as a preventive dental assistant, level II dental assistant, dental hygienist or dentist is not eligible for designation as a Certified Dental Assistant Level I.

 

Certified Preventive Dental Assistant (CPDA)

 

Candidates for preventive dental assistant certification must be members in good standing and have:

1. successfully completed a preventive dental assisting course approved by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO);
2. successfully completed a program or radiography course approved under the Healing Arts Radiation Protection Act, 1990 and its Regulations; and
3. provided RCDSO listing information prior to December 31, 1999.

 

A member educated as a level II dental assistant, dental hygienist or dentist is not eligible for designation as a Certified Preventive Dental Assistant.

 

Certified Dental Assistant Level II (CDA II)

 

Candidates for level II certification must be members in good standing, have attained the National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) certificate, and in addition have:

1. successfully completed a Level II dental assisting program at a College of Applied Arts and Technology; or
2. successfully completed a Level II dental assisting program registered under the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005; or
3. provided current registration from another Canadian jurisdiction; or
4. successfully completed a Level II continuing education program, or achieved a 65% on a clinical practical exam; and
5. successfully completed a program or radiography course approved under the Healing Arts Radiation Protection Act, 1990 and its Regulations.

 

Dental Receptionist Certification

Candidates for dental receptionist certification must be members in good standing; achieve a pass mark of 65% on the Association dental receptionist certification examination for and in addition have:

1. successfully completed an Association-approved dental reception or office administration program; or
2. completed a verified minimum of two years of full time practical experience as a dental receptionist or equivalent; or

Dental Treatment Coordinator Certification (CDTC)

Candidates for certified dental treatment coordinator certification must be members in good standing and certified as a CDR, CDA, CPDA or CDA II and achieve a pass mark of 65% on the Association dental treatment coordinator certification examination and in addition have:

1. successfully completed an Association approved dental treatment coordinator program; or
2. completed a verified minimum of one year full time practical experience as a dental treatment coordinator or equivalent.

Certification Reinstatement

Certification is considered lapsed if a member does not meet the requirements of certification, including failure to maintain membership in good standing, failure to meet continuing education requirements, or suspension of certification as the result of a disciplinary process. A member who is currently practicing dental assisting may apply to reinstate certification. A member may submit documentation demonstrating a need for accommodations regarding the reinstatement requirements.

Reinstatement as a CDA II

The member must renew membership and submit 15 continuing education credits. The continuing education credits may have been obtained at any time since certification lapsed. The member must pay a reinstatement fee as established by the Board of Directors. The fee will be determined based on the duration of the lapsed period (more than one year but less than three years).

Option 1 - Three or more years lapsed certification or second + reinstatement (reinstatement required more than one (1) time)

A member who wishes to reinstate after three or more years of lapsed certification or second + reinstatement must renew membership, submit 15 continuing education credits, and submit a specified project within a specified time. The continuing education credits may have been obtained at any time during the previous three years. The member must pay a 75.00 reinstatement fee.

Option 2 - Three or more years lapsed certification

A member who wishes to reinstate after three or more years of lapsed certification or second + reinstatement must renew membership, submit 15 continuing education credits, and pay a $200 reinstate fee

 

Reinstatement as a CDA, CPDA, CDR or CDTC

The member must renew membership and submit 15 continuing education credits. The continuing education credits may have been obtained at any time since certification lapsed. The member must remit a $50 reinstatement fee within the first year or submit a $75 reinstatement fee after the first year.

A member who wishes to reinstate after three or more years of lapse must renew membership, submit 15 continuing education credits, and achieve a minimum of 65% on the applicable Ontario Dental Assistants Association Certification Exam. The continuing education credits may have been obtained at any time during the previous three years. The member must remit a $75 reinstatement fee.

Reinstatement of Certification by Challenge to Internal Exams

A member who wishes to reinstate within three years of lapse may renew membership as per policy or second + reinstatement (reinstatement required more than one (1) time)

A member without formal education who certified by “challenging” the Association certification exam may not reinstate by exam. The member must complete formal education in an approved dental assisting program to obtain certification in Ontario.