How to Become a Registered Dental Assistant in Tennessee

An RDA has a number of duties.

Duties of a registered dental assitant (RDA) include, among other things, making casts of the teeth and disinfecting dental instruments. Becoming an RDA in Tennessee requires a license from the Tennessee Board of Dentistry. One of four qualifications is required to apply for a Tennessee RDA license: a current Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification, registration from an out-of-state board, completion of a program approved by both the DANB and an area dental society, or the completion of a local dental assisting program through an American Dental Association (ADA) accredited school. Additional requirements exist for out-of-state and international candidates.

Instructions

1. Be at least 18 years old, hold a high school degree or equivalent and hold CPR certification.

2. Seek out on-the-job training opportunities. Inquire at local dental offices and clinics about assistant positions. Observing a dentist or shadowing an RDA will provide you with insight into the position, such as the names and functions of various instruments, daily routines, how to deal with patients and dental terminology.

3. Complete an American Dental Assocation (ADA) training program at a trade or technical school or at a community college. Ensure the school you choose offers accredited courses. Admission requirements vary depending on the school. The training programs generally combine classroom, lab and preclinical instruction.

4. Complete the state-mandated requirements for performing coronal polishing procedures, sealant application, nitrous oxide monitoring and restorative and prosthetic functions. A chart outlining these requirements is available on the DANB website (www.danb.org/PDFs/Charts/Tennessee.pdf). These certifications are required to take the dental assistant exam.

5. Prepare for the dental assistant exam by consulting the DANB Review and DANB's Glossary of Dental Assisting Terms. Explore independent exam study guides to supplement information obtained from the DANB-sponsored guides.

6. Pass the two-part registered dental assistant exam. The first section, Tennessee General Chairside, is a 90-question test on subjects such as chairside procedures, pharmacology and infection prevention. The 30-question Tennessee Radiation Health and Safety test focuses on radiographic techniques, radiation safety and quality assurance. Passing the exam qualfies you to receive an RDA license from the Tennessee Board of Dentistry.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply for DANB recertification annually. In that period, you must complete at least 12 continuing education credits in programs such as a DANB-approved CPR certification class, seminars or home study courses.

• You can be certified to carry out radiologic procedures by completing a board-approved dental radiology training course.

References

• Tennessee Dental Assistants' Association: Become a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)
• TNDAA: Expanded Outline - TN RDA Examination in Two Components:
• TNDAA: Studying for the TNRDA Exam and the DANB CDA Exam: Advice from DANB
• Dental Assisting National Board: Tennessee Charts
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Dental Assistants

Resources

• Dental Assisting National Board: Tennessee Charts
• TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH: APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION AS A DENTAL ASSISTANT