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Dental Assistant Registration Course and Examination (English Course/Curso Inglés)

Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Course and Exam

Course overview

As of September 1, 2006 the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners is requiring that Dental Assistants attend a course to prepare them to pass an examination. The examination will cover the three main topics of Jurisprudence, Infection Control, and Radiology, which will be offered at the end of each module. This course is intended to provide sufficient information to permit dental assistants to gain knowledge and understanding of the critical concepts associated with each of these areas of registration in order to facilitate success at the time of examination.

Participation in the course requires that you:

  • Pay a registration fee.
  • Each module will be followed by a timed examination, Jurisprudence – 15 questions, Infection Control – 10 questions and Radiology – 25 questions.
  • Once you successfully complete the chapter quiz you may move on to the next chapter. Each quiz will be graded and you will see your results instantaneously.
  • You will have 30 days from your date of registration to complete the course.

  • Once you begin the course, you will have the ability to Log Out and Log In.  This may only be done during a presentation not during an examination. Examinations cannot be paused once started.
    Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive an electronic verification for 8 hours of didactic continuing dental education credit. Print this verification document and save for your reference – follow the prompts allowing you to print the certificate.

    Your next step would be to complete the online application instructions located on the Board's website: https://tsbde.texas.gov/licensing/dental-assistants/registered-dental-assistant-x-ray-certification/

    Be sure to prepare all the requested information and documents, such as a copy of your completion certificate, a copy of your active CPR card, etc. Please note: There is an application fee that is to be paid electronically to the State Board for processing this application.

    More information about the dental assistant application process, requirements, and more can be found by clicking here to visit the state board’s website.

    If you have any questions regarding the application, please address them to the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners Licensing Division at 737-363-2320 or emailing at licensinghelp@tsbde.texas.gov


    On behalf of the Office of Continuing Dental Education, congratulations and the best of luck in your career.


    Table of Contents

    Module I: Jurisprudence

  • Purpose of the Texas Dental Practice Act
  • State Board Rules
  • Purpose and structure of the State Board of Dental Examiners
  • Provisions for licensure
  • Regulations for Dental Auxiliaries
  • Professional Conduct
  • Minimum Standard of Care
  • Module Exam

    Module II: Infection Control

  • CDC Infection Control Guidelines
  • Infection Control Rules of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners
  • Hand hygiene
  • Alcohol based hand rubs
  • Sterilization techniques
  • Sterilization vs. disinfection
  • Spore testing
  • Instrument processing
  • Instrument wrapping
  • Surface disinfection
  • Medical waste
  • Dental unit waterline disinfection
  • Module Exam

    Module III: Radiology

  • Radiographic principles and theory
  • Normal Anatomy
  • Technique and processing error recognition for intraoral and panoramic radiographs
  • Radiation biology
  • Protection
  • Risk assessment
  • Aseptic techniques for dental radiology
  • Quality assurance principles and procedures
  • Module Exam


    Presenter(s)

    • Peggy Hernandez, CDA, RDA, AAS
      • HernandezP87Peggy Hernandez, CDA, RDA, AAS, Nitrous Oxide Certified, with over 40 years of experience in dental healthcare. Peggy Hernandez is a seasoned professional and leader in the field. She holds an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree from San Antonio Community College and is certified as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and Registered Dental Assistant (RDA). Her extensive career spans clinical care, education, management, and human resources, showcasing her diverse expertise and dedication.

        Throughout her career, Peggy has held pivotal roles, including serving as the Dental Assistant Program Director at Brightwood and Kaplan College. In this capacity, she managed curriculum development, student onboarding, retention, program budgeting, advisory board meetings, and coordination with staff, instructors, and over 200 students. She also oversaw a live dental clinic that served over 400 patients with a team of 8 dentists.

        In 2019, Peggy transitioned into a Human Resources leadership role, working with Implant Concierge and Zimmer Biomet as a Dental Human Resource Coordinator. She successfully handled hiring, orientations, employee management, evaluations, and audits. In 2022, she joined UT Health, where she supervised and trained freshman to senior dental and hygiene students in the Radiology Department. Currently, she continues to contribute to the field as a contract instructor for UT Health's Department of Education, teaching Coronal Polish and Sealant courses.

        Peggy's dedication to advancing dental education is exemplified by her work with the Texas State Board Dental Examiners, where she developed and continues to update the online Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) examination in both English and Spanish. Her commitment to excellence and mentorship has profoundly impacted students, colleagues, and patients alike. You may contact this author at phernandez0626@gmail.com
    Disclosure

    No Recording and Transcription Policy
    To protect the privacy, security, and integrity of our programs, meetings, and events, recording of any kind is strictly prohibited unless expressly authorized in writing by the department director. This includes, but is not limited to:
    - Video recordings (camera, phone, webcam, or other devices)
    - Audio recordings (phone, microphone, digital recorders, etc.)
    - Screen captures or screen recordings
    - AI-based or automated transcription tools (e.g., apps or software that convert speech to text)

    Guidelines: All participants are expected to respect this policy at all times. If recording is necessary as an accommodation, or for education or administrative purposes, prior approval must be obtained in writing. Unauthorized recording or transcription may result in removal from the session and/or further administrative action. Exceptions may only be granted by the department director in advance. Taking detailed notes is encouraged, and participants are welcome to take pictures of the presentation slides for personal use.

    Purpose: This policy ensures a safe and respectful environment, protects sensitive and proprietary information, and upholds the confidentiality of all participants.

    Financial Disclosure Statement
    It is the policy of the UT Health San Antonio Office of Continuing Dental Education to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all of its sponsored educational activities. All participating speakers, course directors, and planning committee members are required to disclose to the program audience any financial relationships related to the subject matter of this program. Relationships of spouse/partner with proprietary entities producing health care goods or services should be disclosed if they are of a nature that may influence the objectivity of the individual in a position to control the content of the CDE activity. Disclosure information is reviewed in advance in order to manage and resolve any possible conflicts of interest. Specific disclosure information for each speaker, course director, and planning committee member will be shared with the audience prior to the speaker’s presentation.

    This educational activity is free from commercial bias. The planning committee, presenters, and authors have disclosed all financial relationships with commercial interests relevant to this content, and any potential conflicts have been identified and mitigated according to ADA CERP standards. No commercial entities have influenced the content, selection, or presentation of materials, and no product endorsements or promotional activities are included in this presentation. Any mention of products, services, or companies is solely for educational purposes and does not imply endorsement.

    There is nothing to disclose for this course.

    Course Refund Policy
    Please review the Course Refund Policy by clicking here. This policy includes information regarding requirements that attendees must comply with to remain eligible to receive CE, cancelling your registration, course transfers, etc.


    Tuition

    Course Fee: $95

    Credit

    Hours: 8

    Looking for a Human Trafficking Course?

    The Texas state board mandates that those looking to be licensed as a dental assistant complete a course in human trafficking prevention approved by the executive commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission within one year of submitting an application. Unbound provides a free 2026 program that meets the TSBDE requirements for a human trafficking course and is approved by the Texas Health & Human Services Commission. If you’d like to learn more about Unbound’s course, click here. For information on where to find approved courses, click here.

    Looking for a Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR Course?

    The Texas state board mandates that those looking to be licensed as a dental assistant complete a current hands-on course in basic life support (BLS) and notes that online courses are not acceptable. Click here to find a CPR class and associated course costs.

    Register now!

    Original Date: 09/01/2012 | Review Date: 08/31/2025 | Expiration Date: 08/31/2028

    Register now!

    Already registered?

    Log in!

    You are currently viewing the English version of this course. This course is also offered in Spanish! Actualmente usted está viendo la versión en inglés de este curso. ¡Este curso también se ofrece en español!
    Click here to visit the Spanish course page and register/Haga clic aquí para visitar la página del curso de español y registrarse

    Information Regarding This Course
    This online course is an independent learning activity, meaning that it is to be completed at your own pace (within the 30 days allotted for course completion) and involves learning and self-studying from prerecorded materials. It is asynchronous and does not include live interaction with the speaker. Once you watch and review all of the prerecorded materials, you will then complete an exam to asses your mastery and understanding of the content. If you have questions regarding the course content, please email Prof. Hernandez at phernandez0626@gmail.com.

    Looking for a Human Trafficking Course?
    The Texas state board mandates that those looking to be licensed as a dental assistant complete a course in human trafficking prevention approved by the executive commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission within one year of submitting an application. Unbound provides a free 2026 program that meets the TSBDE requirements for a human trafficking course and is approved by the Texas Health & Human Services Commission. If you’d like to learn more about Unbound’s course, click here. For information on where to find approved courses, click here.

    Looking for a Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR Course?
    The Texas state board mandates that those looking to be licensed as a dental assistant complete a current hands-on course in basic life support (BLS) and notes that online courses are not acceptable. Click here to find a CPR class and associated course costs.

    • For help or questions about this program, you can contact us at:
    • Phone: (210) 567-3177
      Email: cdesupport@uthscsa.edu

      Business hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Central Time


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