The CRFDA is a written exam and does not contain a practicum part.  The educational requirements for Level II contain significant number of didactic, lab, and clinical hours towards practical experience.  There is no way that by completing ONLY the CRFDA exam would a dental assistant be competent enough to execute the duties under Level II. However the CRFDA exam could be used towards the credential requirement prior to entering a Level II educational program.  The board may want to consider this option.

Please consider that current Virginia law states a DAII requires both didactic and practical(lab/clinical) experience in restorative procedures before being allowed to perform such procedures.  The CRFDA exam is only a test of what the person knows from a didactic situation. Practical experience in these procedures is necessary. We wouldn't think of allowing a dentist to practice without having simulation and then real world experience before opening his/her own dental practice. Thank you. 

While I am sympathetic to the current DA-II guidelines established and supported by current DA-II, I would support an additional pathway for DA-II registration.  If a DA has passed the national written exam and had 10 years of continuous hands on experience in general dentistry without any disciplinary action taken against them, they should be considered for registration.