Matrix Last Qtr. '97
| BUCKEYE MATRIX Last Quarter 1997 |
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EDUCATION AROUND THE STATE
Akron Dental Assistants Society
Meetings are held at Art's Place on Waterloo Road the second Tuesday of each
month. If you wish to make a reservation, or need further meeting information
please contact Shelli Johnson at: mjohnson2@akron.ohio.gov
or fax 330-761-1614
Cincinnati Dental Assistants Society
Meetings and educational
seminars are held monthly. For additional information contact Karen
Spradlin. Cincinnati is on-line on the Internet. The address is http://home.fuse.net/kspradlin
There is terrific information available at the push of a button. Check it out!
Stark Dental Assistants Society
Please contact Sheila Wells for information regarding reservations and
further details as location of the meeting varies.
Youngstown Warren Dental assistants Society
Meetings are held at the Choffin Career Center Front Commons, first floor At
7pm. Call Paula Oliver for more information.
WANTED:
Nominations for ODAA officers. If you would like to serve as an officer or
know someone who could, forms are available from your local society president of
Contact Donna Hudson for qualifications and deadline.
News Around the Nation
Third District trustee, Becky Brown of Virginia attended the ADAA Board
meeting October 24-27 1996. The plans for the 2nd annual Joint Session with ADAA
/ AGD are in place. Scheduled for July 31 to August 3, 1997 in Chicago, the
pre-registration fee is $70.00. On-site fee will be $85.00
A semi-formal banquet is planned for President Worm. Ticket cost for the event is $25.00 The ADAA Foundation fund-raising parts is a casual dress event, and the cost to attend is $5.00.
The ADAA board has approved a $10.00 dues increase. This is the second increase in the past 17 years. A thorough explanation of the budget was given to the House of Delegates. The HOD will also receive a proposal to approve that life members that have achieved 35 years continuous membership pay no National Dues.
You can E-mail ADAA with any comments or questions at: ADAA1@aol.com
Quick Contact Directory
American Dental Assistants Association 1-800-SEE-ADAA
Dental Assisting National Board 1-800-FOR-DANB
Ohio State Dental Board 1-614-466-2580
ODA Invites Comments On Dental Team Duties
The Ohio Dental Association's Council of Dental Care Programs and Dental
Practice has already made plans to more forward on Resolution 49-96 (Proposed
New Duties of Auxiliary Personnel), which was referred to it by the 1996
House of Delegates in September.
Certification: What are YOUR Options?
Commission
on Ohio Dental Assistant Certification, Inc.
The Commission of Ohio Dental Assistant Certification was formed when
the ODAA realized there were many on-the-job trained assistants, who were
excellent in the practice of their occupation, but because of the Dental
Assistants National Board's (DANB) work requirements, were unable to take the
national certification test. The Commission also provides vocationally educated
dental assistants an avenue to certification.
The Commission's test was designed by a group of dental assistants and dental educators. Like DANB's test, there are extensive questions regarding sterilization procedures, office management, x-ray exposure, development of x-rays and mounting. One of the major differences between the DANB test and the test of the Commission is the clinical portion of the Commission's test. During the test, many stations are set up to evaluate your on-hands skills, much like a state board dental examination. The Ohio State Dental Board recognizes both examinations. Certified assistants are eligible to apply for x-ray licensure, because their knowledge of radiography has been tested.
The examination is limited to 50 applicants per day. Dates are assigned on a first come basis. Are you a current CODA? If you have not renewed your Ohio Certification you need to do so immediately. CODA test applications or information are available on the CDAS web site. For information about serving on the Commission or as monitor, please write to The Commission on Ohio Dental Assistant Certification %1501 Centerview Dr. Copley, OH 44321.
The importance of the CERTIFIED DENTAL
ASSISTANT
by Mary Jane Kauffman, CDA, DANB Board Director
Certification through the Dental Assistants National Board is a source of professional pride and accomplishment. Dental Assistants strive daily to earn respect for their profession, and recognition for themselves.
Knowledge is a powerful source of empowerment. Education and credentialing demonstrate competency, credibility, and professionalism. To gain recognition for dental assisting, assistants need to be certified. Higher compensation for our services is possible if we bring certification to mandatory status.
Certification bespeaks knowledge and competency. Knowledge and competency are powerful sources of persuasion. Whether on-the-job trained , or academically trained, credentialing is proof of a dental assistant's knowledge and skills.
By uniting together through certification with the Dental Assistants National Board, and membership in the American Dental Assistants Association, we can become a strong voice. Strength is numbers can be a driving force in awakening the dental community to the value of the certified dental assistant.
ADAA / Henry Schein District Awards of
Excellence
The ADAA / Henry Schein District Awards of excellence, initiated in 1997 is
a program honoring an individual ADAA member from each of the 12 districts. The
program encourages participation by state within each district to select the
member that has, through personal and professional growth, enhanced the dental
assisting profession as well as the ADAA.
Each of the 12 ADAA district award winners are eligible to receive the ADAA / Henry Schein National Award of Excellence.
Qualifications:
- Shall be an active member of the ADAA with at least three years consecutive membership.
- Achievements must have been within the previous twelve months.
- Submit a narrative describing accomplishments that enhance the dental assisting profession in area of local and state association development, communication, leadership, membership development and community service.
- Candidates shall not receive this award more than one in ten years.
- Candidates curriculum vitae shall not exceed 10 pages.
Procedures:
Each state can nominate a candidate, by submitting name and CV to Central Office by May 1st. The Awards Committee will select the district recipients, the recipients will receive the ADAA/ Schein District Award of Excellence. The National winner will be picked from district finalists.
Awards Distribution:
- Presentation of a pyramid that symbolizes leadership and recognition at Annual Conference
- Paid dues for one year
- Key individuals receive notification by ADAA
- National recipient receives a $250.00 honorarium.
OSDB, X-ray License Information:
X-ray education hours that were obtained during the 1994-1996 license period by dental assistant radiographers can be used for the nest license renewal period.
The ODA Focus reported that all license fees are being increased 20% due to the cost of public hearing and disciplinary action hearings. The OSDB ruled at their January 8, 1997 meeting that the cost of the dental assistant radiographer licenses will not be increased for the 1998-1999 biennium.
Kathy Carson, the OSDB Investigator Assistant, is currently conducting infection control and license inspections of dental offices. She is working to insure understanding of, and compliance with the various requirements of the Dental Practice Act in the Dental Office.
The Presidents Corner
American Dental Assistants Association Mission Statement is:
To advance the career of dental assistants, and to promote the dental assisting profession in matters of education, legislation, credentialing, and professional activities which enhance the delivery of quality dental health care to the public.
This is the goal of the parent organization of the Ohio Dental Assistants Society. We are here for you and you career. We provide education, assistance in employment, enhancement of the profession, and numerous tangible benefits, such as insurance and discounted services. We provide opportunities for public service and interaction. There are both personal and professional rewards in active membership within the Ohio Dental Assistants Association.
"Ask not what your country
can do for you but what you can do for your country"
John Fitzgerald Kennedy
This quote comes to mind when I think of the volunteers in this organization. Our officers, executive committee directors, and committee members and chairmen have ASKED. These people do a lot for you. But we can't do it alone, we would like your input. There's an old saying, "you're supposed to learn something new each day." Come see what we do and learn something new. Dental Assistants Recognition Week March 9-15, 1997 begins in Ohio with the ODAA Midyear meeting.
If your employer acknowledges your contributions to his practice in a memorable way, your office and your local or state organization could be eligible for an award. Contact the ADAA for an activities entry form.