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American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification Examination (DAANCE) FAQ

  1. Can I still take the OMAAP after Dec 3?
  2. What is the process for changing from OMAAP to DAANCE?
  3. Will the change to DAANCE affect my eligibility to test or my scheduled test date?
  4. How will the DAANCE program be different than OMAAP?
  5. What qualifies DAANCE as a certification program?
  6. Do we need a new study guide to take the DAANCE?
  7. Why are you changing the focus of the program from oral and maxillofacial to dental anesthesia?
  8. When is the deadline to register?
  9. How do I register?
  10. How long will it take to process my registration?
  11. Do you accept credit cards?
  12. What manuals are required?
  13. We registered a person who no longer works here. What do we do?
  14. Are there other test-sites available?
  15. When will I get the materials?
  16. How long is the program?
  17. When will I get the results of the test and proof of certification?
  18. What if I fail the examination?
  19. What if I fail the retest?
  20. Is the DAANCE a certification program?
  21. How many CE credits are awarded?
  22. What if I lose my pin or certificate?
  23. Why was I told it would take up to 8 weeks to find out if I passed or failed?

Question:

Can I still take the OMAAP after Dec 3?

Answer:

The OMAAP will be sunsetted on December 3rd and the DAANCE will be replacing the OMAAP exam. You will no longer be able to take the OMAAP exam after December 3. If you would rather take OMAAP over DAANCE, please schedule your test prior to December 3.

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Question:

What is the process for changing from OMAAP to DAANCE?

Answer:

Please contact Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc. (AMP) at 913-895-4600 or lwells@goamp.com to amend your OMAAP application to DAANCE. You will not be required to fill out a new application. Once the change has been processed you will be notified by AMP.

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Question:

Will the change to DAANCE affect my eligibility to test or my scheduled test date?

Answer:

Your testing eligibility and test date will remain the same; they will be based on your eligibility date when you first registered for OMAAP. If you have concerns, please contact Beth Hayson or Pat Cortez.

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Question:

How will the DAANCE program be different than OMAAP?

Answer:

The DAANCE program is a certification examination, while OMAAP was a certificate of completion program. While the program has changed to a certification program, the content of the material has not changed. Please note: if you have previously taken and passed the OMAAP exam, this does not make you eligible for certification under the DAANCE program. You will need to register for the DAANCE and pass the examination in order to qualify for proof of certification.

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Question:

What qualifies DAANCE as a certification program?

Answer:

To ensure that the DAANCE certification examination meets existing professional testing standards, AAOMS follows the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (1999), as published by the American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, and the National Council on Measurement in Education. The Standards are designed to establish criteria for appropriate development, use and interpretation of tests. Please note: The duties and functions of the assistants during office anesthesia (e.g. OMS Assistants, RNs, CRNAs, Hygienists, Dental Assistants, etc.) are regulated by specific state law and regulations. This certification exam may or may not be regulated in your state.

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Question:

Do we need a new study guide to take the DAANCE?

Answer:

It is not necessary to receive a new DAANCE Study Guide as the content of the program will not change. Should you request a new study guide, please contact AMP at 913-895-4600 or lwells@goamp.com. New study guides will be available after December 3.

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Question:

Why are you changing the focus of the program from oral and maxillofacial to dental anesthesia?

Answer:

AAOMS has always offered the OMAAP to the staff of dental professionals with a valid anesthesia permit. Although this program was initially developed by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, there is clearly a need for the training for anesthesia assistants in all dental practices in which anesthesia and sedation are employed. We feel this program would be of the utmost value not only to the OMS office, but any dental office delivering outpatient anesthesia for other dental procedures as well.

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Question:

When is the deadline to register?

Answer:

Applications are accepted year round for the Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification Examination. All other Professional Allied Staff course registration information can be found on the Meetings and Continuing Education page.

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Question:

What do I have to do to register?

Answer:

Complete the DAANCE Registration Form providing all requested information including signatures and a copy of the front and back of your CPR card which must be current on the day you take the examination. Submit the form with payment and, if a non-member or non-OMS practitioner, a copy of the surgeon's current anesthesia permit, to Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP) at the address or fax number listed on the application form.

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Question:

How long will it take to process my registration?

Answer:

It will take three weeks to process your application before you are notified if you are eligible to participate in the course.

If it's been more than three weeks and you haven't received your eligibility notification, please contact AMP at 888-519-9901 to inquire about your registration status.

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Question:

Do you accept credit cards?

Answer:

Yes. AMP will process credit cards and checks.

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Question:

What manuals are required?

Answer:

The $300 course tuition includes the DAANCE Study Guide. Each registrant receives one and the sponsor surgeon receives one with a copy of the quiz answers. Two additional suggested readings for DAANCE can be ordered through AAOMS Publications at 800-366-6725. They are the AAOMS Office Anesthesia Evaluation Manual, 7th edition (order code OAE-007, $95 for professional and allied staff) and the SASS III Manual: AAOMS Advanced Protocols for Medical Emergencies in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Office (order code SASSIII, $49.95 for professional and allied staff.)

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Question:

We registered a person who doesn't work here anymore. What do we do?

Answer:

Simply complete and return the DAANCE Substitution/Cancellation Form.

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Question:

Are there other test-sites available?

Answer:

AAOMS contracts with Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP) to administer the DAANCE exam. The sites available are determined by AMP. Participants should review the list of test sites to find the closest site, understanding that it might me in a neighboring state. Please visit the AMP website or call AMP at 888-519-9901.

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Question:

When will I get the materials?

Answer:

Your eligibility postcard will be mailed approximately three weeks after AMP receives the DAANCE application form. The DAANCE study guide will arrive after the postcard. The sponsor surgeon will also receive a DAANCE study guide with a sealed envelope labeled, DAANCE Quiz Module Answers.

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Question:

How long is the program?

Answer:

The program runs 6 months. The examination must be completed by the date printed on your eligibility postcard.

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Question:

When will I get the results of the test and proof of certification?

Answer:

Each participant will receive a score report immediately after finishing the exam. It will indicate the overall score and scores by content areas. Successful participants receive proof of certification and lapel pin at the end of the following month after passing the exam.

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Question:

What if I fail the examination?

Answer:

Those participants who fail the exam may register for a re-test. The retest application is located at the bottom of your score report and it must be completed and sent to AMP within three weeks. There is an $85 retest fee and you will have six months to study and take the exam again.

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Question:

What if I fail the retest?

Answer:

Participants who are unsuccessful on both exam opportunities may chose to enroll in the program at a later time. The registration process is the same and the full registration fee is required.

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Question:

Is DAANCE a certification program?

Answer:

Yes. To ensure that the DAANCE certification examination meets existing professional testing standards, AAOMS follows the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (1999), as published by the American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, and the National Council on Measurement in Education. The Standards are designed to establish criteria for appropriate development, use and interpretation of tests.

Please note: The duties and functions of the assistants during office anesthesia (e.g. OMS Assistants, RNs, CRNAs, Hygienists, Dental Assistants, etc.) are regulated by specific state law and regulations. This certification exam may or may not be regulated in your state.

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Question:

How many CE credits are awarded?

Answer:

Twelve Continuing Dental Education Credits are awarded through DANB after passing the examination.

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Question:

What if I lose my pin or certificate?

Answer:

Replacement pins are available for a fee of $10. There is no charge for replacement certificates.

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Question:

I just completed the examination. Why was I told it would take up to 8 weeks to find out if I passed or failed?

Answer:

Because the DAANCE is a new examination, the scores of those taking the exam for the first few months of the program need to be calculated to determine the pass/fail benchmark. Once this benchmark has been determined, final score reports will be immediately sent to applicants indicating if they passed or failed the examination. If an applicant does not pass the exam and wishes to retake it they will need to submit the $85 fee.

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