Dental Health Aide Certification
Begin your journey as a certified Dental Health Aide by reviewing the application requirements, required documentation, and step-by-step guidance to ensure your submission to the Certification Board is complete and accurate.
Certification Requirements
Dental Health Aide (DHA) certification includes multiple levels of practice, each reflecting specific training pathways, scope of practice, and clinical responsibility. DHA certification types include:
- Primary Dental Health Aide (PDHA levels I and II)
- Expanded Function Dental Health Aide (EFDHA levels I and II)
- Dental Health Aide Hygienist (DHAH)
- Dental Health Aide Therapist (DHAT)
- Dental Health Aide Therapist Practitioner (DHATP)
Each level of certification has defined education, clinical training, and competency requirements. Applicants must complete the required academic preparation and supervised clinical training appropriate to their certification level.
Dental Health Aide (DHA) certification includes an agreement between the DHA, their employer, and their supervising dentist. DHAs, employers, and supervising dentists are responsible for knowledge of all the Standards and Procedures pertaining to their discipline.
It is the responsibility of the DHA applicant to maintain and submit documentation verifying that all certification requirements have been met prior to application.
Types of Applications
Initial
The requirements for initial certification include:
- Employed by tribal health organization operating a dental health aide program;
- Practice only under direct supervision of a licensed dentist;
- Demonstrate successful completion of training and education requirements for the level being sought; and
- Hold current BLS for Healthcare Providers/Professional certificate from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
Upon approval, the Health Aide will be issued a two-year certification.
Renewal
A renewal application is for a Dental Health Aide who holds a current certification and is seeking recertification.
The requirements for certification renewal include:
- Employed by tribal health organization operating a dental health aide program;
- Practice only under direct supervision of a licensed dentist;
- Demonstrate successful completion of training and education requirements for the level being sought;
- Demonstrate successful completion of a skills evaluation for the level being sought (as a 8-Procedure Recertification Checklist or 80-Hour Recertification Checklist);
- Document completion of continuing education requirements; and
- Hold current BLS for Healthcare Providers/Professional certificate from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
To prevent a lapse in certification, DHAs must submit a complete application prior to the end of the two-year certification term.
Upon approval, the Health Aide will be issued a two-year certification.
Change in Level
Health Aides may apply for a change in their level of certification or add skillsets to their level of practice within their two-year term or as a part of the renewal process.
Skillsets come with their own supervision requirements, and those must be followed for procedures performed from that skillset.
The requirements for a change in level include:
- Employed by tribal health organization operating a dental health aide program;
- Practice only under direct supervision of a licensed dentist;
- Demonstrate successful completion of training and education requirements for the level being sought; and
- Hold current BLS for Healthcare Providers/Professional certificate from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
NOTE: A change in level at the time of renewal may also require documentation of the completion of continuing education requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
My BLS certificate expired, now what?
To maintain certification, the Certification Board must have documentation of a current BLS certificant on file.
When you renew your BLS, forward a copy to the CHAPCB office at: chapcb@anthc.org
Failure to submit current documentation may result in your certification becoming inactive.
How do I renew my certification after it expired?
If your two-year certification term has expired, you may submit an application for renewal. Please ensure all required skills evaluations and continuing education are completed within the two (2) years prior to your application date.
If you had an extended clinical absence, defined as a period greater than 6 months during which you have not worked as a DHA doing direct patient care for a minimum of 40 hours and 20 patient encounters, then you must follow the re-entry requirements, which include:
- A clinical competency evaluation as the 8-Procedure Recertification Checklist or 80-Hour Recertification Checklist; and
- A supervising dentist must write a letter to the Certification Board stating that they understand that you had an extended clinical absence. It must also state that the amount of supervision provided during the re-entry process was adequate to assess your skills and that you are able to reliably and competently complete the skills required to be certified at the level of certification and skillsets being sought.
Can I change my employer and maintain certification?
If you have a change in employer, a new application must be submitted. The new application will link your training and education to the new employer and licensed dentist.
Additional requirements may apply.