What do I need to be considered a Level II (CDA II) Dental Assistant in Ontario, and how does Relief Buddy verify intra-oral and HARP eligibility?

Ontario Dental Assistants (CDA II / Level II): Requirements & Verification

In Ontario, Dental Assistants are commonly categorized as Level I or Level II (CDA II) depending on the duties they are qualified to perform.

Relief Buddy verifies credentials to ensure Dental Assistants are correctly classified before they are approved to accept shifts that require intra-oral responsibilities.

What is a Level II Dental Assistant (CDA II) in Ontario?

A Level II Dental Assistant is generally someone who is eligible to perform intra-oral duties, such as:

chairside assisting for intra-oral procedures
suctioning and intra-oral support
placing or removing rubber dam (as directed)
impressions / models (if delegated by the dentist)
coronal polishing / topical fluoride (if trained and delegated)

⚠️ In Ontario, intra-oral delegation is ultimately determined by the supervising dentist, and the dentist must ensure the assistant is properly qualified.

Is NDAEB Certification Required for Level II Duties?

In Ontario, the most widely recognized qualification for Level II (intra-oral) dental assisting is NDAEB Certification.

Relief Buddy uses NDAEB certification as a key verification requirement when approving Dental Assistants for Level II eligibility.

Important: “Written NDAEB” vs “Fully Certified”

Some professionals may say they have “written the NDAEB” or “passed the written NDAEB exam.”

However:

✅ NDAEB Certified = the individual has completed all NDAEB requirements and has an official NDAEB certificate
❌ Written NDAEB only does not always mean full certification

If a professional has only written the exam but has not completed the remaining certification steps (where applicable), they may not be considered fully certified.

Relief Buddy may request additional proof to confirm whether the candidate is fully NDAEB-certified.

Is ODAA Registration Required in Ontario?

No — ODAA membership is optional in Ontario.

The Ontario Dental Assistants Association (ODAA) is a professional association, and membership is not legally required to work as a Dental Assistant.

However, some employers may prefer it.

Relief Buddy does not require ODAA membership for approval, but we may accept it as supporting documentation. (ODAA membership is highly recommended).

What About HARP Certification (X-Rays)?

HARP certification is separate from NDAEB.

If a shift requires taking dental radiographs, a Dental Assistant must have proof of completing a HARP-approved radiography course.

Relief Buddy verifies HARP separately

Even if a Dental Assistant is Level II / NDAEB certified:

✅ they may perform intra-oral assisting duties
❌ they may not take X-rays unless they have HARP-approved training

Relief Buddy Verification Standards (Ontario)

To validate a Dental Assistant as Level II (CDA II / Intra-Oral) in Ontario, Relief Buddy typically requires:

Required for Level II approval:

Proof of NDAEB Certification (certificate or equivalent official documentation)

Required for Radiography (X-Ray) approval:

Proof of HARP-approved radiography certification

Optional / Supporting documentation:

ODAA membership documentation (if applicable)
dental assisting diploma or transcript
employer letter confirming scope (may be requested case-by-case)

What if I have HARP but I’m not NDAEB Certified?

If you have completed a HARP-approved radiography course, that may qualify you for X-ray training, but it does not automatically qualify you for Level II intra-oral duties.

Relief Buddy may still classify the profile as Level I unless NDAEB certification is confirmed.

What if I passed the NDAEB written exam but I’m not fully certified yet?

If you have written or passed the NDAEB exam but have not yet received full certification, Relief Buddy may request:

official NDAEB documentation showing certification status
confirmation that all required components have been completed

Until full certification is confirmed, the profile may be classified as Level I.

How Relief Buddy Classifies Dental Assistants in Ontario

Relief Buddy uses the following general classification:

Level I Dental Assistant

May assist chairside but is not approved for Level II intra-oral duties unless verified.

Level II Dental Assistant (CDA II)

Approved for intra-oral duties once NDAEB certification is confirmed.

Radiography Approved (HARP)

Approved to take X-rays once HARP documentation is confirmed.

Reminder: Delegation is the Dentist’s Responsibility

Even with verified credentials, Ontario dentists are responsible for ensuring all delegated duties align with the assistant’s qualifications, training, and applicable standards of practice.