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Best dentist certifications

Dentist certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an dentist to employers. However, not all dentist certifications provide the same value for job seekers.

The best certifications for a dentist are Dental Assistant (RDA), Board Certification in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, and Certified Dental Technician.

Below is a list of the best dentist certifications. Obtaining an dentist certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.

11 best dentist certifications

1. Dental Assistant (RDA)

A Dental Assistant is an integral member of the dental health team, competent via education, experience, and understanding of patient welfare. The Dental Assistant is qualified to provide support in administrative duties: chairside, laboratory, and radiological procedures, as defined by existing state laws. As an agent of the Dentist, the Dental Assistant strives to cultivate good will and confidence within the dental practice.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
Certifying organization
American Medical Technologists

2. Board Certification in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

The specialty of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is that part of dental practice which encompasses the diagnosis, and surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries, and defects affecting the function and esthetics of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 10 year(s)
Certifying organization
American Board of Oral...

3. Certified Dental Technician

Certification is the process of assessing a dental technician's knowledge and applied skill level necessary to perform the tasks required of a dental technician. The skill standard,based upon this knowledge and applied skill, is the level required to perform successfully and is the baseline for certification testing. Once the dental technician successfully passes the examination, they are then considered a Certified Dental Technician and issued the CDT designation.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)

4. Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
Certifying website
Certified Dental Assistant
Certifying organization
Dental Assisting National Board

5. Certified Dental Assistant - Radiation Health and Safety (RHS)

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)

6. Certification in Veterinary Dentistry

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? 

7. Certified Dental Assistant - Coronal Polish (CP)

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)

8. Infection Control Certification (CIC)

July 2015 CBIC Examination Content Outline: Identification of Infectious Disease Processes, Surveillance and Epidemiologic Investigation, Preventing/Controlling the Transmission of Infectious Agents, Employee/Occupational Health, Management and Communication, Education and Research, Environment of Care (new), Cleaning, Sterilization, Disinfection, Asepsis (new)

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)

9. Diplomate in Dental Public Health

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 10 year(s)

10. Certification in Pediatric Anesthesiology (PA)

The pediatric anesthesiology discipline includes the evaluation, preparation and management of pediatric patients undergoing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in operative and critical care settings. In addition, this discipline also entails the evaluation and treatment of children with acute and chronic painful disorders.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 7 year(s)
Certifying organization
American Board of Anesthesiology

11. Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP)

Clinical Research Professionals (CRPs) come from a wide variety of backgrounds. CRPs may have backgrounds in nursing, pharmacy, medical technology, business administration, health record maintenance, statistics, biology, teaching, or in other areas. CRPs work in various settings such as cooperative research groups; academic and private institutions; private offices; pharmaceutical, device, and biotechnology companies; Clinical Research Organizations (CROs); Site Management Organizations (SMOs); independent research and development organizations; or organizations involved in the management of clinical trials. These varying backgrounds and settings contribute to the unique knowledge and diverse expertise of CRPs.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)

What is the best certification for a dentist?

The best dentist certification is Dental Assistant (RDA). The Dental Assistant (RDA) is awarded by the American Medical Technologists. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.

Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this dentist certification:

  • To become a certified Dental Assistant (RDA), you need to pass the exam.
  • This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
  • Renew certification every 3 year.

What are some of the most in-demand certifications for dentists?

The most in-demand dentist certification is Dental Assistant based on all active job postings. Having this dentist certification will give you access to more dentist jobs with higher salaries.

What certifications can impact a dentist career and salary?

The Board Certification in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery certification will help you to secure a dental assistant position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A dental assistant's average salary is $38,832 whereas dentists make an average salary of $147,415.

Best certifications

The most common combination of dentist certifications include: Dental Assistant (RDA), Board Certification in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, and Certified Dental Technician.

Online courses for dentists to earn certifications

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