How do I join CDAA?

As a California resident, joining our national organization, the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA), entitles you to membership in both CDAA and a dental assistant society (Local Society) in your area.

To request a membership application or information, contact our Membership Chair on the Contact page.

What are the benefits of membership in ADAA, CDAA and my local society?

ADAA Benefits - see the ADAA website membership page

CDAA Benefits

-  Representation before state regulatory bodies on dental assisting issues (see Government Relations)
-  Continuing Education Units
-  Subscription to the "CDAA Journal"

Local Society Benefits - varies with each local society

-  Continuing Education Units
-  Activities with other dental assisting professionals in your area
-  Local Director represents your voice in CDAA
-  Interaction with local dental organizations and related industries
-  Newsletter

How do I become a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) or a Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions (RDAEF)?

You must submit an application from the Committee on Dental Auxiliaries (COMDA).  For more information, see the RDA Exam page or the RDAEF Exam page on the COMDA website.

What are the differences between an unlicensed dental assistant, RDA and RDAEF?

State regulations define the duties that may be performed by each of the dental assistant levels.  These duties may be found on the Allowable Duties page of the COMDA website.  Please note recent changes to dental assistant duties that may be found on the home page of the COMDA website under Licensing & Practice.

What is a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)?

The CDA is a certification provided by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) and is recognized in some states.  For more information, see the DANB website.

How do I obtain certification in radiography, coronal polishing and ultrasonic scaling?

See the COMDA website Expanded Functions page.

How do I find out about continuing education classes?

ADAA offers home study courses through its journal and its website catalog and also has online courses which may be found on the Dental X Change website.

CDAA offers home study courses through its journal and periodically sponsors courses in Northern and Southern California (see calendar).

How do I find out about government regulations that apply to dental assisting?

Visit this site's Government Relations page or see the COMDA website Laws and Regulations page.

Local Societies sponsor courses in their regions.  For more information about courses in your region, contact the Local Societies in your area.