What is a Dental Assistant?
Dental Assistants work as an indispensible partner to the dentist, assisting him/her with each chairside procedure. These procedures are many and varied, and the profession appeals to people who enjoy working with people and the sciences. The dental assistant participates in chairside procedures, dental office management, infection control procedures, laboratory functions, and takes x-rays.
What is the difference between a dental assistant and a dental hygienist?
Both the dental hygienist and dental assistant are integral members of the dental team. The dental assistant works directly with the dentist in what is generally referred to as chairside, or four handed dentistry in a variety of procedures, as well as exposes radiographs if licensed to do so. The dental assistant can also perform other expanded duties if credentialed as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), or and Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA).
The dental hygienist is a licensed provider who provides non-surgical periodontal therapies, preventive services such as sealants and fluoride treatments, exposes radiographs, patient education, and can provide local anesthesia if licensed.
How long is the program?
This certificate program can be completed in 9 months, yet it is very intensive. Students must complete 42 credit hours, as well as 300 hours of clinical rotations in the spring semester. Once completed, the student is eligible for dental radiography licensure through the State of Maine Board of Dental Examiners and to take the Dental Assisting National Board for the Certified Dental Assistant credential.
Is the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)  credential required for clinical practice?
Licensure requirements for the dental assistant vary from state to state and is not currently required by the State of Maine, except to expose dental radiographs (x-rays). If you are interested in working as a dental assistant in a state other than Maine, it is highly suggested that you contact that state’s board of dental examiners. 
Dental assistants wishing to expose radiographs, are required to obtain a dental radiography license. Additionally, those dental assistants wishing to work under the Expanded Functions Dental Assistant credential, must meet certain additional educational criteria.
Is the pay different between the CDA and a dental assistant?
This varies by employer. A recent national survey shows that CDA’s do earn a higher salary.
Is the scope of practice different for the CDA than the dental assistant?
In the State of Maine the CDA is authorized to perform other duties that cannot be delegated to the dental assistant such as place emergency temporary fillings, and remove excess cement from the supragingival surfaces of teeth. Additionally, the CDA is the only dental assistant qualified to pursue the EFDA credential in the State of Maine.
What employment opportunities are available with the CDA credential?
In some states, the CDA credential is required to work as a dental assistant. The dental assistant with the CDA credential can choose a wide array of career opportunities in a variety of settings, including federally qualified health facilities, government facilities, education, and public health settings. 
How does a dental assistant become an EFDA?
The dental assistant must hold a current CDA credential or and have successfully completed a formal program in EFDA approved by the Board at a CODA accredited program or an equivalent program as determined by the Board. Additionally, the assistant must have successfully completed with a passing grade the jurisprudence examination given by the Board; and hold current CPR certification.
