What Is The Difference Between A Dental Assistant And A RDA?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Registered dental assistants (RDAs) generally

have more educational requirements than certified dental assistants

. … Renewal terms and requirements for RDA certification vary from state to state. Certified dental assistants, by contrast, typically have fewer formal education requirements compared to RDAs.

Is CDA and RDA the same thing?

CDAs and RDAs are

two different titles for dental assistants

. CDAs hold a national certification through the DANB, while RDAs must meet state-specific requirements. RDA status does not automatically transfer from one state to another, because each state has its own rules and regulations.

What does RDA mean in dentistry?

Law and regulation specifically define the duties that a

Registered Dental Assistant

(RDA) is allowed to perform, the level of dentist supervision required, and the settings in which the duties may be performed.

Who makes more medical assistant or dental assistant?

The difference in pay between medical assistants and dental assistants. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) attests that

dental aides

made a higher median income compared to medical assistants in 2018. That year, dental aides earned a median salary of $38, 660 while medical aides made a median of $33, 610.

How long does it take to become an RDA?

2C: Work Experience Eligibility Route (

three years

) – In order to apply for RDA exam certification through the work experience eligibility route, proof of a minimum of three years or 5,250 hours of dental assistant training under the supervision of a licensed dentist is required.

How much do RDA make an hour?

Annual Salary Hourly Wage Top Earners $53,500 $26 75th Percentile $47,000 $23 Average $41,681

$20
25th Percentile $35,000 $17

Who gets paid more CDA or RDA?


RDA

and CDA Credentials: Are They Worth Pursuing? … According to the results of this survey, CDAs holding a certification credential through DANB earn $2.01 more per hour on average and certified CDAs stay with their employers for an average of eight years (DANB).

What are the duties of an RDA?

In addition to

performing administrative duties

, helping dentists clean their equipment and providing chairside assistance, RDAs may also take X-rays, administer topical anesthetics, polish teeth and give fluoride treatments, among other extended duties.

Can you work as a dental assistant without being certified?


Non-certified dental assistants are not regulated

and may practice without consistent provincial standards for education and competency. Professional dental assistants are registered, certified and/or licensed dental team members who work together to provide high quality dental care.

How much does a RDA make an hour in Texas?

Annual Salary Hourly Wage Top Earners $47,403 $23 75th Percentile $41,644 $20 Average $39,240

$19
25th Percentile $31,011 $15

Is Dental Assisting a career?

Pros of Dental Assisting

Going into dental assisting has many benefits. If you want a career with strong job prospects, a pleasant work environment, relatively short training, and career advancement opportunities, dental assisting may be the right choice for you.

What’s the highest a dental assistant can make?

Dental Assistants made a median salary of $40,080 in 2019. The best-paid 25 percent made

$48,550

that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $33,440.

How hard is the RDA exam?

Dental assisting exams can be very demanding and the clock is ticking. Since there are four or five answer choices for each question, your guess has a

20% to 25% chance of being correct

.

How much does the RDA exam cost?

How much does it cost to take the RDA exam? First-time applicants must complete the application for RDA examination and submit a fee of

$120.00

. You’ll need to pay an additional fee of $38.50 for the RDA General and Law and Ethics written exam when scheduling your test with Psychological Services Inc.

What do you need to become an RDA?

  1. Graduation from an educational program in registered dental assisting approved by the Board. …
  2. Evidence of completion of satisfactory work experience of at least 15 months as a dental assistant in California or another state.

How much can an RDA make?

How much does a RDA make in California? While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $55,545 and as low as $23,103, the majority of RDA salaries currently range between

$34,408 (25th percentile) to $46,205 (75th percentile)

with top earners (90th percentile) making $52,596 annually in California.

Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.