ADAA Fellowship/Mastership a commitment to excellence.

Since its inception, the ADAA has valued and promoted education for the dental assistant. An educated assistant has great value to the dental practice and is able to deliver consistent, quality health care to the patient. As a way to recognize the accomplishments of its members who are committed to excellence in their profession through continuing education, the ADAA Fellowship and Mastership Program was created in 1997. To date, 83 members have earned their Fellowship (FADAA) and of those, 14 have gone on to earn their Mastership (MADAA). There are currently over 200 ADAA members enrolled in the Fellowship program and 12 enrolled in the Mastership program.

Open to current ADAA members, both programs offer the choice of two pathways: business or clinical. Either pathway may be chosen based on one's area of interest, regardless of the day-to-day role in the dental office. Candidates have 10 years from the date of enrollment to earn the credit hours needed.

Fellowship is achieved by accruing 300 credit hours of continuing education in specific categories through lecture, participation, home study and ADAA-sponsored coursework. For candidates who have already achieved the status of CDA, COA, COMSA, or who are RDAs in California, Minnesota, or Michigan, they may be eligible to receive 150 hours of credit. Those who are a CDPMA may be eligible for a credit of 100 hours.

Once Fellowship is achieved, one is eligible to enroll in the Mastership program. Mastership is achieved by accruing 400 credit hours in specific subject categories with an emphasis on new technology in dentistry for the clinical pathway or detailed organizational subjects for the business pathway. These are acquired through lecture, participation, home study, ADAA-sponsored course work and dental community service. Credit is also offered for dental-related college course work and publications.

Upon successful completion, Fellowship and Mastership candidates will be recognized at the ADAA Annual Conference during a Convocation Ceremony (the deadline to participate in the 2008 Convocation is July 31, 2008). Recognition is also provided through the Journal, press releases and the use of the appropriate credential, FADAA or MADAA.

As the profession of dental assisting moves forward, I encourage you to do the same! Advanced knowledge leads to enhanced confidence, increased value to the patient and the dental practice, as well as public recognition of the professional achievement. Make a commitment to further your professional career through continuing education and experience the satisfaction of achieving excellence through the Fellowship/Mastership Program. To help you get started, the ADAA is offering a special enrollment fee of $20 until July 31, 2008.

For more information about these programs or to enroll, contact Santos Robles at ADAA Central Office, 312-541-1550 ext. 211, or srobles@adaal .com or visit our website at www.dentalassistant.org.

If you are currently enrolled and would like guidance or encouragement in completing your credit hours, email [e-mail].

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Editor's Note: Continuing Education and Membership requirements apply to both Fellowship and Mastership.

Claudia Pohl, CDA, RDA, FADAA, is ADAA's 12th District Trustee and Chair of the ADAA's Council on Fellowship/Mastership. Ms. Pohl has been a dental assisting professional for over 30 years and is active in the ADAA on the state and local level as well as holding office as a trustee. She is a graduate of California State University at San Bernardino and is Program Director at the Citrus College RDA Program in Glendora, Calif.