DANB NELDA case studies
DANB NELDA · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) exam is one of the exams offered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), a credentialing body for dental assistants in the United States. DANB describes the NELDA exam as a way to "jump-start your dental assisting" career, positioning it as an entry point for people who are new to the field or who are preparing to work chairside under a dentist's supervision. The DANB NELDA case studies are 5 cases and about 2,408 words.
1The Pregnant Hygienist and the Undiagnosed Fissure
A dental hygienist who is 14 weeks pregnant is scheduled for a morning where her first patient needs a full-mouth series and four bitewings. The office has D-speed film, a wall-mounted unit set at 70 kVp and 7 mA, and no rectangular collimator; the round cone has a 7-inch PID.
526 words, about 3 min2The Bursting Sterilization Pouches
A chairside assistant loads the autoclave at 8:00 a.m. with pouched instruments for three operatories.
454 words, about 2 min3The Patient Who Keeps Swallowing During Sealant Placement
A 7-year-old is in for sealants on four permanent first molars. The assistant has isolated the lower right quadrant with cotton rolls and a dry-angle, but the child keeps swallowing and the field floods.
439 words, about 2 min4The Bitewing That Won't Sit Still
A patient with a strong gag reflex needs two bitewings, left and right. The office uses a digital sensor with a bite block and a positioning arm.
495 words, about 2 min5The Aerosol Cloud and the Immunocompromised Patient
A patient scheduled for a crown preparation mentions at check-in that they finished chemotherapy three weeks ago and their oncologist said their counts are "low." The operatory is set up for a high-speed handpiece crown prep with an ultrasonic scaler for cleanup. The assistant is wearing a surgical mask, gloves, and safety glasses, and the office has a high-volume evacuator but no rubber dam set out.
494 words, about 2 min