The RHS exam covers radiation safety.
Dental assistants generally use radiography procedures to help with patient care. Some states require that dental assistants who use these procedures attain some type of certification in the field. Certification for dental radiography is completed by taking the Radiation Health and Safety examination, which is offered through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Process
The process for the RHS exam varies based on several factors. First, you submit an application to the DANB, and if your application is accepted, you should receive notification within three to four weeks that you may schedule to take the exam. Once you receive this notice, you have 60 days to schedule the exam, according to DANB. After you take the exam, there is another three to four weeks before you receive your official test score. You will also receive a Certificate of Competency if you pass the test.
Examination Basics
According the the DANB, the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam consists of 100 questions, all of which are multiple-choice. As of June 2010, you have 75 minutes to complete the exam. The RHS exam is composed of five main topic areas. The largest section, with 37 percent of test questions, is dental radiography exposure and evaluation. The topic of radiation safety for the patient is the second largest part of the test with 24 percent of questions, while the dental radiography process has 16 percent of questions. Radiation safety for the operator has 12 percent of test questions, and lastly, the mounting and labeling has 11 percent of test questions.
Fees
There are several fees associated with the RHS exam. The main one if the application fee. As of June 2010, the application fee for the RHS exam is $150. You may receive a $5 discount for the application fee if you are in the military. If you need another certificate of achievement or another score report, each costs $25, according to DANB. Also, if you wish to appeal your score for any reason, there is also a $25 fee.
Considerations
Taking and passing the RHS exam does not make you a certified dental assistant (CDA). It just means that you have passed the exam which shows that you have met some state requirements to use dental radiography. Some states require, however, that you not only pass the RHS exam, but also earn the CDA credential. To earn that credential, you also must pass the General Chairside (GC) and Infection Control (ICE) exams, according to DANB.
Wage Potential
The wages of those who pass the RHS exam generally increase over time. Those with less than a year of experience report a median wage of $12 an hour while those with one to four years of experience report a median wage of $13.30, according to PayScale.com. As of June 2010, those with five to nine years of experience have a median hourly rate of $17 and those with 10 to 19 years have an hourly rate of $17.70. The highest paid individuals who pass the RHS exam are those with 20pplus years of experience. They report a median wage of $19.40.
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