It is actually the choice of being a certified dental assistant or a REGISTERED dental assistant. The difference in the two, is that if you are a CDA you have taken an exam administered by the DANB...
A dental assistant is a person that assist the dentist in chair side procedures. They often seat a patient, set up the room for procedures, expose and develops x-ray films, they then clean the room...
In the UK, you need to train as a dental nurse- a Level 3 NVQ in Oral Health care. This can be done at a college, or a teaching dental hospital (e.g. Newcastle dental Hospital) whilst you work in...