What is the Certified Dental Assistant Exam?

The Certified Dental Assistant Exam is a test that assesses your knowledge and skills as a dental assistant and validates your high level of competency and professionalism in the field. Certification demonstrates that you are well-qualified to perform the responsibilities of a dental assistant including such tasks as:

• Provide Patient Care
• Take Patient Histories
• Assist the Dentist and Dental Team
• Participate in Four-Handed Dentistry
• Prepare Exam Rooms
• Sterilize Dental Tools and Equipment
• Take Dental X-Rays
• Schedule Appointments
• Maintain Patient Records
• Manage Inventory

Adding the Certified Dental Assistant exam certification to your professional portfolio can boost your knowledge, confidence, and competitive edge in the marketplace. But to pass the exam, you need the right training, experience, and plenty of studying.

What Is Covered on the Certified Dental Assisting (CDA) Exam?

The CDA exam consists of three separate tests: Radiation Health and Safety; Infection Control, and General Chairside Assisting. You may take each test separately or all sections as one exam, but you can save money by taking them as a combo. Individually, the tests cost $270 each, but grouped together, the total cost is $450. The combo exam includes 250 questions, and you have three hours and 15 minutes to complete all three tests.

How to Prepare for the CDA Exam

Take these three steps to prepare for your Certified Dental Assisting Exam.

1. Enroll in a Dental Assistant Training Program

CDA test prep is critical to success on the exam and in your career. To prepare for the exam, enroll in a dental assisting training program to learn the skills you need to succeed as a dental assistant and on the exam. Your program will cover important topics such as radiation health and safety, instrument disinfection and sterilization, restorative procedures and prosthodontics, and the importance of oral hygiene. You learn about the basics of dentistry and gain hands-on experience in chairside assisting.

2. Participate in a Dental Assistant Internship

After spending some time in the classroom and laboratory, practice your skills in a real-world setting through a dental assistant internship. Your internship can help you develop as a professional dental assistant. It provides you with the opportunity to work with a variety of patients with varying conditions under the supervision of a licensed dentist. Throughout the clinical experience, you learn to master the skills of an entry-level dental assistant in a variety of offices, including Family, Orthodontics, Periodontics, Endodontics, Prosthodontics, Oral Surgery and Pediatric Dentistry.

3. Study for the Certified Dental Assistant Exam

To prepare for any exam, you need sufficient time to absorb the material and understand the concepts. Build some time into your schedule that is just for studying. The Dental Assisting National Board recommends you study a few hours each week for one to two months prior to your exam date. This prevents you from cramming for the exam and accommodates your busy calendar. Some other suggestions that can help you prepare include:

• Designate a Dedicated Study Spot: Find a quiet place in your home to set up a study station. This might be in your bedroom, kitchen, or home office. Make sure there are no distractions. Mute your phone or turn off your notifications so you can focus on the material.
• Use the Dental Assistant Exam Outlines: The Dental Assisting National Board provides exam outlines for each test on the Certified Dental Assisting Exam. Download each outline and use it as a guide. The outline will tell you what specific topics are covered, the number of multiple-choice questions, and the amount of time you will have to complete each test. The outlines also provide suggestions for resources that you can use to explore more about a particular topic.
• Enlist Your Friends and Family to Help You Prepare: Support is always helpful when you face a big test. Ask your friends and family to help you study. Use Quizlets or create flashcards and have them quiz you. It will make the time go by faster and it will add an element of fun to your study sessions.

What to Do on CDA Exam Day

In the days leading up to the exam, get plenty of rest, eat well, and stay hydrated. The night before the exam, get a good night’s sleep and be sure to eat and drink before you head to the testing site. Here are a few more tips:

• Bring Necessary Items — You must provide a photo ID such as a passport or driver’s license at the testing site. You may also need an exam confirmation or admission ticket. And check the testing center rules in advance to avoid bringing prohibited items like cell phones or bags.
• Arrive Early — Plan to arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes before your scheduled exam time to account for traffic or unexpected delays.
• Dress Comfortably — Choose comfortable, layered clothing so you can adjust for the testing center’s temperature.
• Read Instructions Carefully — Take a moment to read all instructions on the screen or provided materials to avoid mistakes.
• Manage Your Time — Note the total exam duration and divide your time among the sections. Don’t spend too much time on a single question.
• Use Elimination Strategies — For multiple-choice questions, eliminate obviously incorrect answers to increase your chances of selecting the correct one.
• Review Your Answers — Once you move on to the next question, you will not be able to go back and change an answer. Be sure to review each answer carefully before you submit it.

Are you interested in a career as a dental assistant? Lincoln Tech today offers a Dental Assistant training program that can prepare you for an entry-level career in a dental office. Our instructors have years of experience and are ready to help you succeed. Our program also prepares you for the Radiation Health and Safety and Infection Control portion of the Certified Dental Assistant exam. Earn 3,500 hours of approved work experience in order to sit for the Chairside Assisting portion of the exam¹. Fill out the form to learn more about Lincoln Tech.

¹ General Chairside Assisting/Apply for DANB’s GC exam, from https://www.danb.org/exams/exam/gc-exam - Pathway II. Retrieved on February 3, 2025.