ADAP Credentialing and Approval 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A dental assistant performs a radiographic procedure in a state that requires specific radiography certification. Without that certification, this assistant is:
- Working within legal scope if supervised by a dentist
- Practicing outside the legal scope of practice (Correct answer)
- Only in violation if a patient is harmed
- Required to report themselves to DANB
Correct answer: Practicing outside the legal scope of practice
Performing procedures without required state-mandated certification constitutes practicing outside the legal scope, regardless of supervision.
Question 2: The DANB Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) credential differs from the CDA because it:
- Is issued by CODA rather than DANB
- Focuses specifically on orthodontic procedures and knowledge (Correct answer)
- Requires a dental hygiene license as a prerequisite
- Does not require a written examination
Correct answer: Focuses specifically on orthodontic procedures and knowledge
The COA is a specialty credential from DANB that certifies competency specifically in orthodontic dental assisting.
Question 3: What does the term 'expanded functions' refer to in dental assisting?
- Administrative duties such as billing and scheduling
- Clinical procedures beyond basic assisting that require additional training or licensure (Correct answer)
- Marketing and patient outreach activities
- Equipment sterilization and maintenance
Correct answer: Clinical procedures beyond basic assisting that require additional training or licensure
Expanded functions are intraoral clinical tasks—such as placing temporary restorations or applying sealants—that require extra credentialing in many states.
Question 4: Which document would a dental employer most likely request to verify that a new dental assistant is credentialed to take dental radiographs?
- A letter of recommendation from a dental school
- A state-issued radiography permit or certificate (Correct answer)
- A valid driver's license
- A CODA accreditation certificate
Correct answer: A state-issued radiography permit or certificate
States that require radiography certification issue a permit or certificate that employers use to verify legal authorization.
Question 5: How often must most DANB certifications be renewed?
- Every year
- Every two years (Correct answer)
- Every five years
- Every ten years
Correct answer: Every two years
DANB certifications follow a two-year renewal cycle that requires completing continuing education credits.
Question 6: An ADAP program operating without CODA accreditation would most directly affect graduates by:
- Preventing them from ever working in dentistry
- Making it harder to meet eligibility requirements for national certification exams (Correct answer)
- Voiding their high school diplomas
- Requiring them to retake anatomy coursework
Correct answer: Making it harder to meet eligibility requirements for national certification exams
Many national exams, including DANB's, require graduation from a CODA-accredited program as part of the eligibility criteria.
Question 7: Which federal agency's regulations most directly affect infection control training requirements that dental assistants must document for credentialing?
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (Correct answer)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Correct answer: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires documented training for dental workers, which is often tied to credentialing and employment requirements.
ADAP Credentialing and Approval 3
A dental assistant performs a radiographic procedure in a state that requires specific radiography certification.
Without that certification, this assistant is: