Aspen Dental and the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) have announced the Aspy Award for Excellence in Dental Assisting, a new recognition program honoring dental assistants at Aspen Dental who have earned DANB certification and demonstrated professional excellence, leadership, patient care, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
The award builds on a partnership that began in 2022, through which Aspen Dental has supported dental assistants in earning DANB's Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) and Infection Control (ICE) certificates, as well as the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification.
To be eligible, applicants must be employed by Aspen Dental for at least one year, be in good employment standing, and have either earned CDA certification or have earned the RHS and ICE certificates, with CDA certification on track by December 1, 2026.
Aspen Dental will present the award to a national recipient and two runners-up at the company's annual leadership retreat in the first quarter of 2027.
"Dental assistants deserve meaningful opportunities to grow professionally and advance their careers," said Atia Black, DANB's director of business development. DANB is recognized by the ADA as the national certifying board for dental assistants, with exams and certifications recognized or required in 38 states and the District of Columbia.
More information is available at danb.org.
