Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA)
Credential: Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA)
Credentialing Agency: Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
Renewal Period: 1 year
The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) credential is for an intermediate-level dental professional who specializes in orthodontics. COAs possess the knowledge and applied skill level necessary to perform the tasks required of orthodontic assistants. Applicants must meet a combination of education and experience. The COA exam consists of two component exams that must be passed in order to earn the credential.
More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.
Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA)
The following DOD Civilian Occupations provide training and/or experience that contributes to attaining this credential:
The following Federal Occupations provide training and/or experience that contribute to attaining this credential:
| Federal Occupation | Related As | |
|---|---|---|
| 0681 Dental Assistant |  Most |
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility Requirements (View Details)
- Credential Prerequisite: Current CPR from a DANB-accepted provider
- Experience: 3500 hours
- Education: High School Diploma/GED
- Training
- Membership
- Other
- Fee
Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.
Exam Requirements (View Details)
- Exam
- Written Exam
- Oral Exam
- Practical Exam
- Performance Assessment
RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY
Renewal Period: 1 year
AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
444 N. Michigan Ave.
Suite 900
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (800) 367-3262
Fax: (312) 642-8507
Contact Page
Eligibility REQUIREMENTS
- Minimum of 3,500 hours of approved work experience, and
- Current or former DANB CDA certification, and
- Current CPR from a DANB-accepted provider
- High school graduation or equivalent, and
- Minimum of 3,500 hours of approved work experience, and
- Current CPR from a DANB-accepted provider
- Completion of an orthodontic assisting preparation course from a CODA-accredited dental assisting program, and
- Current DANB CDA certification, and
- Current CPR from a DANB-accepted provider
- Current or former DANB COA status, or graduation from a CODA-accredited DDS or DMD program, or graduation from a dental degree program outside the U.S. or Canada, and
- Current CPR from a DANB-accepted provider
Written Exam Infection Control Exam
-
Standard Precautions and the Prevention of Disease Transmission (20%)
- Recognize infectious diseases and their relationship to patient and occupational risk
- Demonstrate understanding of how to review a medical history to prevent adverse reactions during dental care (e.g., adverse reactions to latex or vinyl)
- Demonstrate understanding of proper hand hygiene as performed before, during and after oral surgery and intraoral procedures
- Describe how to protect the patient and operator by using personal protective equipment (PPE) (e.g., masks, gloves, eyewear, gowns)
- Demonstrate understanding of how to protect the patient and operator through the reduction of aerosol, droplets and spatter
-
Prevent Cross-contamination during Procedures (34%)
- Demonstrate understanding of how to maintain aseptic conditions to prevent crosscontamination for procedures and services
-
Instrument/Device Processing (26%)
- Demonstrate understanding of processing reusable dental instruments and devices
- Demonstrate understanding of how to monitor and maintain processing equipment and sterilizers (e.g., ultrasonic cleaner, autoclave)
-
Occupational Safety/Administrative Protocols (20%)
- Demonstrate understanding of occupational safety standards and guidelines for personnel
- Demonstrate understanding of how to maintain and document programs/policies for infection control and safety
Written Exam Orthodontic Assisting
-
Collection and recording of clinical data (21%)
- Medical/dental history
- Preliminary examination
- Demonstrate understanding of how to document treatment
- Charting
- Diagnostic aids
-
Dental radiation health and safety (18%)
- Expose and evaluate
- Conventional film processing
- Radiation safety – patient/operator
-
Orthodontic procedures (35%)
- Describe orthodontic procedure preparations
- Describe how to prepare armamentarium for orthodontic procedures
- Describe orthodontic procedures
- Chairside dental materials
- Demonstrate understanding of laboratory procedures
- Demonstrate understanding of medical emergencies
- Demonstrate understanding of dental emergencies (e.g., signs and symptoms of dental conditions/emergencies likely to occur in the dental office)
-
Patient education and office management (26%)
- Patient education
- Demonstrate how to provide pre- and post-treatment instruction
- Demonstrate plaque control techniques for the patient
- Evaluate patient’s current oral healthcare and progress/response to home care.
- Demonstrate how to provide nutrition guidance
- Demonstrate understanding of patient management
- Demonstrate understanding of patient reception, communication and accounting
- Legal aspects of dentistry
- Supply and inventory control
Exam Preparation Resources
There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) examination:
RECERTIFICATION
Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA)
Renewal Period: 1 year
SOME
OTHER