Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What is the OSAP-DANB-DALE Foundation Collaboration?

The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP), the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), and the DALE Foundation collaborated to develop a comprehensive dental infection prevention and control education program and two professional certifications.

Education

Certification

Where do I start? Which option is right for me?
If you are interested in learning more about dental infection prevention and control, you can start with the OSAP-DALE Foundation Certificate Program.

Depending on your education, experience, and career goals you may wish to pursue professional certification to be able to add a professional designation after your name:

Why should I pursue any of these programs?

The main reason is for you to demonstrate your current, verified knowledge in dental infection prevention and control – to your employer, to other important stakeholders, and to yourself. A second important reason is to enhance your professional growth – to expand your expertise in dental infection control and demonstrate your knowledge-based competence in these areas. Completing one of these standardized programs will set you apart to employers and patients.

What is the difference between a certificate program, a certification, and a credential?
These words may sound similar, but they have different meanings.

A certificate program is a training or education program on a particular topic. Typically, participants receive a certificate for completing the program. Any required assessment is linked to specific educational learning objectives. Participants do not receive credentials or letters after their name for completing a certificate program.

Certification is a voluntary process by which a non-governmental entity grants a time-limited recognition and use of a credential to an individual after verifying that they have met predetermined and standardized criteria. Typically, certification programs include education and/or experience requirements and passing a certification exam built from a weighted exam outline based on the results of a formal job analysis. Only those who meet all certification requirements (including periodic renewal requirements) are authorized to use a specific certification mark (in this case, DISIPC® or CDIPC®).

A credential is the umbrella term for licensure, registration, professional certification or anything else that provides the basis for confidence in an individual’s competency or proficiency in a subject area or profession.

Learn more about the difference between a certificate program and a professional certification.

What are the distinguishing features between the OSAP-DALE Foundation Certificate Program and the DISIPC/CDIPC certifications?

Check out the Distinguishing Features of the OSAP-DALE Foundation Certificate Program and the OSAP-DANB Professional Certification Programs (PDF) for an overview of the distinguishing features.

What is a digital badge?
A digital badge is provided to all those who earn the OSAP-DALE Foundation Certificate, the CDIPC® certification, or the DISIPC® certification. It is a way for you to showcase your accomplishments. You can share your badge on social media, email it to friends or colleagues, or download your badge as a certificate. You can also add your badge to your resume or email signature. View those who have earned and claimed their digital badges:

 

What if I have more questions?

If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact us.

OSAP-DALE Foundation Certificate Program Questions

How many CE credits will I earn?

12 CE credits will be earned as follows:

1) Understanding CDC’s Summary of Infection Prevention Practices in Dental Settings = 2 CE credits
2) OSAP-DALE Foundation Dental Infection Prevention and Control eHandbook = 10 CE credits

Is earning the certificate the same as earning DISIPC/CDIPC certification?
No, this is a certificate program, not a certification. These words may sound similar, but they have different meanings.

A certificate program is a training or education program on a particular topic. Typically, participants receive a certificate for completing the program. Any required assessment is linked to specific educational learning objectives. Participants do not receive credentials or letters after their name for completing a certificate program.

Certification is a voluntary process by which a non-governmental entity grants a time-limited recognition and use of a credential to an individual after verifying that they have met predetermined and standardized criteria. Typically, certification programs include education and/or experience requirements and passing a certification exam built from a weighted exam outline based on the results of a formal job analysis. Only those who meet all certification requirements (including periodic renewal requirements) are authorized to use a specific certification mark (in this case, DISIPC® or CDIPC®).

Learn more about the difference between a certificate program and a professional certification.

What kind of career opportunities will open for me if I earn the certificate? Will I be eligible to teach infection control in the classroom, in dental offices, or be an infection control consultant?

You will have the necessary knowledge to teach dental staff about the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and CDC Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health Care Settings. Earning the certificate can also help you demonstrate your dental infection prevention and control knowledge, and potentially help with your advancement in the workplace or credibility with consulting clients.

If I earn the certificate and teach a course on this topic, am I authorized to grant CE credit to course attendees?

State professional regulatory agencies (such as state dental boards) determine eligibility for granting CE units to dental professionals. You can contact your state regulatory agency to determine how you can become a CE provider in your state. They may either approve individual providers themselves, recognize the American Dental Association’s Continuing Education Recognition Program (ADA-CERP), the Academy of General Dentistry’s Program Approval for Continuing Education (AGD-PACE), or any combination of the three.

What’s the difference between successfully completing the OSAP-DALE Foundation Certificate Program and passing the DANB Infection Control (ICE) exam?

The OSAP-DALE Foundation Certificate Program is a comprehensive, baseline educational program. The final assessment questions are linked to the program’s learning objectives.

DANB’s ICE exam, on the other hand, is a stand-alone exam and also a component of three DANB national certification exams (National Entry Level Dental AssistantTM [NELDA®], Certified Dental AssistantTM [CDA®] and Certified Orthodontic AssistantTM [COA®]). Unlike the OSAP-DALE Foundation Certificate Program, DANB’s ICE exam has no eligibility prerequisites. Rather than being linked to learning objectives of a specific course of study, DANB’s ICE exam items are linked to the results of a national job task analysis, a key component of a Content Validation Study of dental assistants and dental assisting educators regarding what dental infection prevention and control duties are performed by dental assistants.

Do I need to renew my certificate?

No, since the OSAP-DALE Foundation Certificate Program is an educational program, it has no associated renewal process.

Should more than one person in a dental practice or corporate setting earn the certificate?

Yes! It is highly recommended that any person responsible for infection prevention and control in dental settings, who provides education on this subject to dental team members, or who provides information to dental settings about products and services earn the OSAP-DALE Foundation Certificate.

What achievements can I post in my office or otherwise publicize?

Upon successful completion, you will receive a certificate of completion that you can print and frame. You will also receive a digital badge that you can add to your email signature, share on social media, or add to LinkedIn.

You can also tell people that this accomplishment demonstrates successful completion of a rigorous education program, and you may call yourself a “certificate holder” or say that you “hold a certificate in dental infection prevention and control from OSAP and the DALE Foundation.”

Here is some specific wording you can use:

  • I have completed the OSAP-DALE Foundation Dental Infection Prevention and Control Certificate Program.
  • I earned the OSAP-DALE Foundation Dental Infection Prevention and Control Certificate on [date].
  • I hold a certificate in dental infection prevention and control from OSAP and the DALE Foundation.
  • I am a certificate holder through the OSAP-DALE Foundation Dental Infection Prevention and Control Certificate Program.

The certificate is NOT a professional certification, and no certification mark (letters) may be used after your name, solely based on successfully completing this program.

Does successfully completing the certificate meet any requirements for DISIPC or CDIPC certification?
Yes!

DISIPC
Completing the OSAP-DALE Foundation Certificate Program is one of a number of requirements to be eligible to take the DISIPC® certification exam. Learn more about DISIPC® certification.

CDIPC
Completing the OSAP-DALE Foundation Certificate Program is among a number of options that meet or partially meet education requirements to be eligible to take the CDIPC® certification exam. Learn more about CDIPC® certification.

DISIPC®/CDIPC® Certification Questions

Who is eligible to earn DISIPC certification?

DISIPC® certification is intended for:

  • Dental practice managers
  • Sales representatives, customer service personnel, service technicians, and other professionals who work for the companies that manufacture or distribute products, equipment, or services to the dental profession who are not healthcare professionals*
  • Those who are not healthcare professionals* who investigate or inspect dental settings for compliance with federal infection prevention and control guidelines and standards on behalf of government, regulatory, accrediting, or public health authorities

To learn more about the eligibility requirements, download the DISIPC® brochure (PDF).

*Healthcare professionals (e.g., D.D.S.; D.M.D.; RDH; certified, registered and/or licensed dental assistant; or licensed, registered or certified healthcare professional).

Who is eligible to earn CDIPC certification?

CDIPC® certification is intended for:

  • All dental team members who perform infection prevention and control in a dental setting
  • Supervisors or educators of those who perform infection prevention and control
  • Healthcare professionals* who inspect or investigate dental settings for compliance with federal infection prevention and control guidelines and standards on behalf of government, regulatory, accrediting, or public health authorities

To learn more about the eligibility requirements, download the CDIPC® brochure (PDF).

*Healthcare professionals (e.g., D.D.S.; D.M.D.; RDH; certified, registered and/or licensed dental assistant; or licensed, registered or certified healthcare professional).

What topics are covered on the exam?

Each certification exam has its own exam outline and suggested references.

Certified in Dental Infection Prevention and Control® (CDIPC®)

Dental Industry Specialist in Infection Prevention and Control® (DISIPC®)

What kind of documentation do I have to submit to apply?

Each certification exam has its own eligibility requirements and required documentation.

Certified in Dental Infection Prevention and Control® (CDIPC®)

Dental Industry Specialist in Infection Prevention and Control® (DISIPC®)

Where can I take the certification exam(s)?

The exams can be taken in person at Pearson VUE testing centers or through online proctoring. Learn more about these two options and which one is right for you. 

 

What can I expect at the in-person testing site?

You will need your government-issued ID, which must match the name on your test administration notice. Personal items, such as cell phones, purses, and bags, or study materials are not allowed in the room where the exam is administered. If necessary, a locker will be available to you at the testing site.​ Watch this video to learn more about what to expect on exam day.

What can I post or publicize if I pass the exam?

If you pass* the DISIPC® and/or CDIPC® exam you may list the certification after your name, on your resume, LinkedIn profile, professional biography, email signature, and anywhere else your name is listed professionally.

Here are some examples of how you can list your CDIPC® certification:

• Jane Smith, CDIPC®
• I hold CDIPC® certification.
• I earned CDIPC® certification in 2023.
• I have been CDIPC® certified since 2023.

Here are some examples of how you can list your DISIPC® certification:

• Jane Smith, DISIPC®
• I hold DISIPC® certification.
• I earned DISIPC® certification in 2023.
• I have been DISIPC® certified since 2023.

*must also maintain certification by meeting OSAP-DANB Recertification Requirements (PDF) 

If I earn DISIPC and/or CDIPC will I be “OSHA certified?”

Contrary to popular belief, OSHA does not actually certify workers and you cannot get “OSHA certified”. Courses and trainers are considered OSHA “authorized”, and students receive course completion cards, but anyone claiming to be “OSHA certified” would be mistaken. 

To become an authorized trainer, you must complete the OSHA Outreach Training Program. The OSHA Outreach Training Program is entirely voluntary and not required to meet OSHA training requirements. You can read more about it in the Training Requirements in OSHA Standard (PDF) document.

What will be required to maintain certification (i.e., recertification requirements)?

To meet national and international accreditation standards for all professional certification programs, especially those used to protect the public, individuals must maintain the certification they originally earned by completing recertification requirements. Both DISIPC® and CDIPC® require recertification to remain authorized to use their certification marks. Download the recertification requirements (PDF).

I hold an infection control certification from another organization. How are these certifications different?

The DISIPC® and CDIPC® certifications offer the only infection control certifications specifically for oral healthcare. The following organizations offer nationally- and/or internationally accredited infection control related certifications that meet partial requirements to earn CDIPC® certification through pathway 2, including:

Learn more by downloading the CDIPC® certification brochure (PDF).

Can an individual who lives outside of the U.S. take the certification exams?

DANB contracts with Pearson VUE to deliver its exams electronically at secure, proctored testing centers across the U.S. and Canada, as well as some sites affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense in other countries. DISIPC® and CDIPC® certification exams will be administered at these Pearson VUE testing centers currently contracted by DANB. Pearson VUE has testing centers in other parts of the world, which may be able to be added to the current list of DISIPC® and CDIPC® testing centers, pending comparison of test security and site administrator training protocols at these other sites. We encourage candidates who qualify to take the DISIPC® and/or CDIPC® exams to contact DANB to indicate in which non-U.S./Canada city and country they are interested in testing, and staff will investigate options. Because of differential costs to administer U.S. exams at these sites, additional fees will apply.