Certification represents knowledge. It declares that you strive for excellence. The quality of dental assisting and dental reception in Ontario is enhanced by professionals who have chosen to achieve and maintain their certified status.
It’s good for your career
- Many dentists will only hire certified assistants and it is often an ongoing condition of employment
- Certification may give you an advantage over assistants who are not certified
- Certification may give you a bargaining edge when negotiating salary
- Certification of numerous DAs provide strength in numbers when requesting benefits and pay increases
- Attaining a recognized standard of practice makes you equally marketable to other employment opportunities and puts you on a level playing field
It’s good for your confidence
- Continuing education keeps your skills up to date
- A certified designation may earn you more respect and recognition in the work environment
- Your certification demonstrates to your patients that you have chosen to invest in their health
- By displaying your certificate, you show pride in your professionalism
- You have professional credentials widely recognized by the dental profession
- You are helping to ensure the safety of the public
It’s good for your profession as a whole
- Until Dental Assistants in Ontario are regulated, certification is the only way to show that you have been educated and trained. When regulation becomes mandatory, the transition will be much easier
- Certification supports our position that dentists should only hire certified assistants
- Certification strengthens the association and helps us help you
ODAA members must earn 15 credits a year in order to keep their status as a certified professional. Click here for a list of ways to earn credits to maintain your certification status.