DANB vs. CDA: What Is the Difference?
DANB vs. CDA: What Is the Difference?
One of the most common sources of confusion for people researching dental assisting certification is the difference between DANB and CDA.
The simplest explanation is that DANB is the organization, while CDA is one of the certifications administered by DANB.
What Is DANB?
DANB stands for the Dental Assisting National Board.
It develops and administers dental assisting examinations and certifications.
DANB offers several examinations and credentials, including CDA, NELDA and other specialty or state-specific examinations.
What Is the CDA?
CDA stands for Certified Dental Assistant.
It is a DANB certification.
The CDA examination consists of three components:
General Chairside Assisting
Radiation Health and Safety
Infection Control
The current combined examination contains 245 questions and has a 195-minute testing time.
Is DANB Certification the Same as CDA?
No.
Saying that someone is "DANB certified" can be imprecise because DANB administers multiple certifications.
Someone may hold CDA certification, NELDA certification or another DANB credential.
What About NELDA?
NELDA stands for National Entry Level Dental Assistant.
It includes Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology, Infection Control and Radiation Health and Safety.
NELDA is designed for entry-level candidates and has different eligibility pathways from the CDA.
Which One Should You Pursue?
The answer depends on education, experience, state requirements and career goals.
A student should not choose a certification solely because one sounds more advanced.
Instead, determine which pathway applies to your education and intended employment.
What About New York?
New York has its own licensing requirements for Registered Dental Assistants.
DANB examinations are incorporated into New York's licensing pathways, but DANB certification and New York State licensure are not identical.
Final Thoughts
DANB and CDA are not interchangeable terms.
DANB is the national credentialing organization. CDA is one of its major certifications.
Understanding this distinction can help students make sense of dental assisting education, certification and licensing requirements.
Official resources:
DANB Official Website
DANB CDA Examination
DANB NELDA Examination
