LibGuides: Dental Assisting, Hygiene, and Laboratory Technology: Dental Occupations

National Occupational Outlook

Occupational Outlook - Dental Assistants Source: United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Occupational Outlook - Dental Hygienists Source: United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Occupational Outlook - Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technicians Source: United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Professional Associations

American Dental Assistants Association The American Dental Assistants Association is the oldest, largest group representing professional dental assistants. Its members include clinical personnel -- those working chairside with the dentist -- as well as those on the administrative side: the receptionist, office manager, practice manager and those working behind the scenes in dental product sales, insurance and, of course, educators.
New York Dental Assistants Association The New York Dental Assistants Association promotes the profession of Dental Assisting in the State of New York. The Association provides continuing education sessions, annual conferences, and networking opportunities. There are local components in Buffalo, Rochester, and the Southern Tier.
American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) ADHA is the largest professional organization representing the interests of dental hygienists. ADHA seeks to advance the art and science of dental hygiene by ensuring access to quality oral health care; increasing awareness of the cost-effective benefits of prevention; promoting the highest standards of dental hygiene education, licensure, practice and research; and representing and promoting the interests of dental hygienists.
Dental Hygienists’ Association of the State of New York (DHASNY) The Dental Hygienists' Association of the State of New York, Inc., a constituent of the American Dental Hygienists' Association, is the professional association for dental hygienists in New York State, numbering over 1200 members statewide.
National Association of Dental Laboratories The National Association of Dental Laboratories (NADL) is a federation of state commercial dental laboratory associations formed in 1951 in Chicago.
American Dental Association The American Dental Association (ADA) is the professional association of dentists committed to the public's oral health, ethics, science and professional advancement; leading a unified profession through initiatives in advocacy, education, research and the development of standards.
New York State Dental Association New York State Dental Association (NYSDA) is a constituent of the American Dental Association representing more than 13,000 dentists in New York.

Certification Resources

Review your state's licensure requirments to determine what forms of certification are needed for your particular profession.

Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. The Dental Assisting National Board's (DANB) mission is to promote the public good by providing credentialing services to the dental community. The organization maintains and measures the success of this mission through the creation of valid dental assisting exams, re-certification requirement integrity, and valuable, visible, and accessible DANB exams, certificates and certifications.
National Board Dental Hygiene Examination This examination is developed and administered by The Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE). The purpose of the Part I, Part II, and Dental Hygiene examinations is to assist state boards in determining qualifications of dentists/dental hygienists who seek licensure to practice dentistry/dental hygiene. These examinations assess the ability to understand important information from basic biomedical and dental/dental hygiene sciences and also the ability to apply such information
National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology The National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology (NBC) seeks to provide professional certification to both dental technicians and dental laboratories. NBC is dedicated to administering and promoting globally recognized certification programs to assess the knowledge, skills and abilities of dental technicians and to review facility and staff training criteria for dental laboratories.
The Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA) The Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA) was founded in 1969 to facilitate the licensure process for candidates and eliminate the need for repetition of state board clinical examinations. The CDCA is a nonprofit, independent corporation, comprised of a consortium of 25 state and international dental boards. The CDCA develops, administers, scores, and reports the results of its examinations in Dentistry and Dental Hygiene.
Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations The Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) is the agency responsible for the development and administration of the National Board Dental Examinations. This 15-member Commission includes representatives of dental schools, dental practice, state dental examining boards, dental hygiene, dental students, and the public.
American Association of Dental Boards The American Association of Dental Boards (AADB) was founded in 1883. It is comprised of state and regional dental boards, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, Specialty Dental Boards, as well as both past and present members of those boards, board administrators, board attorneys, and dental and dental hygiene educators.

SUNY Erie Career Services

SUNY Erie Career Resource Centers
The Career Resource Centers, located at each of the campuses, assist students and prospective students in exploring majors and career options. The Career Resource Centers also assists students with resumes and cover letters, interviewing skills and searching for employment opportunities.

City Campus
Student Support Center
Room O102A
45 Oak Street
Buffalo, NY 14203
P: (716) 851-1183

North Campus
Room 161G
6205 Main Street
Williamsville, NY 14221
P: (716) 851-1484

South Campus
Room 5207
4041 Southwestern Blvd.
Orchard Park, NY 14127
P: (716) 851-1683