The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) starting in 2024 will offer its most popular exam, the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam, in Spanish. The move aims to address workforce shortages and increase diversity in the dental profession. With over 12,000 exams administered annually, this marks the first credentialing exam in oral health care to be offered in Spanish.
This decision is expected to open doors for more Spanish-speaking dental assistants, ultimately enhancing dental teams and improving access to quality dental care. Currently, 22 percent of RHS exam applicants are fluent in Spanish, and 38 states and Washington, D.C., recognize or require DANB exams or certifications for dental assistants.
The application for the Spanish RHS exam will be available on DANB’s website in January 2024, mirroring the process for the English exam.
