DANB hosts workforce discussion and shares updates at annual board meeting

The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) invited members of the dental community to attend a session held in conjunction with its Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors in Chicago on July 25, 2024.

“As the national certification board for dental assistants, DANB is dedicated to facilitating conversations with dental leaders across the industry to support and elevate the dental assisting profession,” says DANB Board Chair Janée Tamayo, CDA, CPFDA, B.S.

The session was attended by DANB Board Directors, DALE Foundation Board Trustees, and representatives from several dental organizations: 

• American Association of Dental Boards

• American Dental Association

• American Dental Assistants Association

• American Dental Education Association

• Association for Dental Safety

• Association of Dental Support Organizations

During the four-hour session, the group shared updates from their organizations and discussed several topics related to the dental assistant workforce.

DANB provided updates on two of its initiatives: the Dental Assisting Workforce Coalition, which is dedicated to finding solutions that champion the role of dental assistants, and the Dental Assisting Professional Model Workgroup, which aims to address the inconsistency in dental assisting requirements and scope of practice from state to state.

The group engaged in a lively and enlightening discussion about the future vision for dental assisting, how dental assistants are involved with each organization, and each organization’s unique position related to workforce issues.

“Hearing from the leaders at each organization provided incredible perspective and a sense of unity that the challenges and opportunities dental assistants and their profession face impact not only all of our organizations, but also every member of the dental team,” Tamayo added. “We are empowered and optimistic that through innovative solutions and ongoing collaborations, we will continue to advance the dental assisting profession.”

In the coming weeks, DANB will share the major actions taken at the DANB Board of Directors Annual Meeting, as well as updates on strategic initiatives.