Important Information for Out-of-State and International Students

Out-of-State Residents

While we are a New Jersey-based business, we do have a number of students who have come to us from other states. Much of the information you’ll find on our website will apply in states other than New Jersey, however the specific requirements to obtain the applicable credentials necessary to practice as a dental assistant may vary from state to state. In New Jersey there are three main agencies that aspiring dental assistants need to be familiar with in order to obtain their credentials. Again the specific agencies or governing bodies that issue and oversee dental assisting credentials, along with the specific functions that a dental assistant is permitted to perform will vary from state to state.

According to DANB’s (one of the governing bodies) website, 39 different states plus the District of Columbia require or recognize the certifications and exams they provide. What does this mean for you? It means that if you are in one of the other states that accepts or requires a DANB exam that we may be able to help you. Though what is considered a passing score may vary from state to state, DANB exams are the same in every state that offers them.

If you live in a state where a DANB exam is required or accepted and are interested in the training programs provided by Dental Assistant Services, we may still be able to help. However, you are responsible for finding out what the specific requirements are for obtaining the necessary credentials in your home state. Keep reading for more information.

Given their national reach, DANB’s website has a very useful page that provides links to the different governing bodies or agencies in each of the 50 states plus the District of Columbia. This page also provides additional information about the recognition of DANB exams outside of New Jersey, as well as charts indicating state specific requirements and the permitted functions of a dental assistant in each state. Click here to visit this page.

If you plan to take a DANB exam as part of your state’s requirements we may be able to help. You may want to take a look at our Course Overview page which briefly describes each of our program courses and the corresponding exams that they prepare you to take.

International Doctors

While we are based in the United States (and more specifically New Jersey), we do have a number of doctors from other countries seeking to move to the United States and continue their dental practice. Since it can take some time to become fully and properly licensed as a dentist in the United States, many international doctors choose to work as dental assistants while completing the process of becoming a US-based dentist.

Much of the information you’ll find on our website will apply in states other than New Jersey, however the specific requirements to obtain the required credentials necessary to practice as a dental assistant may vary from state to state. If you are planning to move to the United States, but not NJ specifically be sure to read the section above for more information.

International students entering the United States will need to have their degrees and/or transcripts both translated into English and evaluated to determine the US equivalent to your degree. A US high school degree or its equivalent is required to obtain the necessary dental assisting credentials in the state of New Jersey.

By virtue of being a doctor in your home country and having obtained a degree in dentistry you should not have to be concerned about the degree evaluation. Nevertheless, you must still go through the translation and evaluation process. Please be aware that it is not sufficient to translate your degree(s) and/or transcripts yourself.

This must be done by a pre-approved provider. Perhaps the most frequently used service is World Education Services, or WES for short. If you use WES, you can order the less expensive “WES Basic – Document by Document Report”. While most people use WES, you are not obligated or required to do so yourself. The NJ Department of Environmental Protection has a list of other companies that you can use to have your credentials (degrees and/or transcripts) translated and evaluated. You may have to scroll down to see the list.

With regards to becoming certified and/or licensed to practice as a dental assistant in the state of New Jersey and in the United States you will be required to complete the same requirements and pass the same set of examinations as other students. However, by virtue of having a doctoral degree you would not be required to meet the experience requirements necessary to become a Chairside Assistant, a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certificant, or a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA). Similarly, by virtue of your degree you would not be required to meet the same educational requirements that other students must meet.

Your degree and experience as a dentist should provide you with the knowledge and expertise necessary to pass the required examinations. As an example, the first exam that students will typically take is the Radiation Health & Safety (RHS ) exam. No course is necessary however an available aid to passing the exam is the DAS Home Study RHS Course. Review of Radiation Health & Safety course, will serve as a great refresher. For further information about what educational and/or experience requirements you would and would not be required to meet, please contact us.