If you need help studying for the DANB CDA exam or just want some more information about what the test is like, you’ve come to the right place.
Click below to take a free DANB CDA practice test!
What’s on the Exam?
How to Register
Exam Scores
Retaking the Exam
Online DANB CDA Prep Course
FAQs
Exam Eligibility
Before you can register to take the DANB CDA exam, you’ll have to meet at least ONE of the requirements below:
- You need to have graduated from a CODA-accredited dental assisting/hygiene program and have a current CPR, BLS, or ACLS certification.
- You need at least 3,500 hours of work experience and a current CPR, BLS, or ACLS certification.
- In addition to holding a current CPR, BLS, or ACLS certification, you either need former DANB CDA status or need to have graduated from one of the following:
- A DDS or DMD program
- A dental degree program outside the US
- A post-bachelors program on DANB’s list of accepted programs
If you meet one of these requirements, you’re set to begin the registration process!
What’s on the DANB CDA Exam?
The DANB CDA exam is actually three different exams packed into one! This means that to pass the full CDA exam, you’ll have to take and pass all three of the following exams:
GENERAL CHAIRSIDE ASSISTING (GC)
95 questions | 75 minutes
- Preliminary exam
- Head, neck, and oral cavity
- Charting conditions of the oral cavity
- Treatment documentation
- Medical conditions that can cause medical complications/emergencies
2. Patient Management and Administration (17%)
- Patient management
- Oral health education
- Administration
3. Chairside Dentistry (50%)
- Four-handed dentistry
- Intraoral procedures
- Armamentarium
4. Dental Materials (16%)
- Impression materials
- Operative materials
- Lab materials
INFECTION CONTROL (ICE)
80 questions | 60 minutes
- Infectious diseases
- Reviewing medical histories for transmissible diseases
- Hand hygiene
- PPE
- Minimizing aerosol, droplet, and spatter contact
2. Prevention of Cross-Contamination (34%)
- Cleaning/disinfecting treatment areas and labs
- Prepping and using chemical disinfectants
- Using surface barriers
- Prepping tray setups
- Dental unit water lines
- Cleaning/disinfecting equipment
- Disinfecting impressions and appliances
- Disposing of biohazardous waste
3. Process Instruments and Devices (26%)
- Processing instruments and devices
- Monitoring and maintaining processing equipment
4. Occupational Safety and Administration Protocols (20%)
- Occupational safety regulations, guidelines, and standards,
- Maintaining and documenting programs for infection prevention control and safety
RADIATION HEALTH AND SAFETY (RHS)
75 questions | 60 minutes
- Anatomical landmarks, materials, and conditions observed on images
- Purpose of dental images
- Techniques for acquiring dental images
- Technique modifications
- Error correction
- Purpose of radiographic equipment
- Patient management techniques
- Image viewing and mounting
- Legal requirements for maintaining dental images
2. Radiation Protection (25%)
- Radiation physics
- Radiation biology
- Radiation protection
3. Infection Prevention and Control (25%)
- Standard precautions for equipment and supplies
- Standard precautions for patients and operators
Computer-Adaptive Testing (CAT)
The DANB CDA exam is a computer-adaptive test. Basically, this means that the questions will become harder or easier as you go through the exam, based on how well you’re answering the questions.
For example, say you answered the first question correctly. The first question is of medium difficulty, so the next question will be slightly harder. Then, let’s say you answered the second question incorrectly. The next question would then be a medium question.
How to Register
Once you’ve ensured that you meet all of the eligibility requirements, you can register for the exam!
To get started, you’ll need to submit an application on DANB’s website. The application will ask you for your contact information and any documentation to prove your eligibility (among other things). When you submit the application, you’ll also need to submit the application fee, which is $75.
As soon as you receive authorization to test, you can register to take the exam. You’ll need to pay the $450 testing fee as part of the registration process.
DANB CDA Study Guide and Flashcards
Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
DANB CDA Exam Scores
The three tests within the CDA exam are scored using a scaled scoring method. Here’s how it works:
You will need a score of 400 on all three tests (GC, ICE, and RHS) to pass the full CDA exam.
The reason your raw score is converted to a scaled score is because everyone who takes the exams is given a slightly different set of questions. Since everyone has a different arrangement of questions, and because some questions are harder than others, converting your raw score to a scaled score ensures a more even playing field.
Retaking the Exam
If you didn’t get a passing score on your first try, that’s okay! You can retake the exam as many times as you need.
Online DANB CDA Prep Course
If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online DANB CDA prep course. The course is designed to provide you with any and every resource you might want while studying. The DANB CDA course includes:
- Review Lessons Covering Every Topic
- 750+ DANB CDA Practice Questions
- More than 500 Digital Flashcards
- Money-back Guarantee
- Free Mobile Access
- and More!
The DANB CDA prep course is designed to help any learner get everything they need to prepare for their DANB CDA exam. Click below to check it out!
FAQs
How many questions are on the DANB CDA exam?
The full exam contains 250 questions.
What is the time limit for the DANB CDA exam?
The combined time limit for the full exam is 3 hours and 15 minutes.
What is the passing score for the DANB CDA exam?
You’ll need to get a final scaled score of at least 400 on each test (GC, ICE, and RHS) to pass the full exam.
How much does the DANB CDA exam cost?
The testing fee is $450, which doesn’t include the $75 application fee.
