Dental Assistant Programs

Are you interested in starting a career as a dental assistant? Although you do not need a formal dental assistant course, it can be a good idea if you want an advantage when looking for a job. In this post we will go through what type of course you should consider and where you can take it.

First there are a few questions you should ask yourself. Do you have the ability to put people at ease? A good dental assistant needs to bring as much comfort as possible to people in a setting that can often be filled with anxiety. Are you good with your hands? Dental assistants must possess good manual dexterity. Would you be relaxed about watching and helping out with medical procedures? Dental assistants can’t be squeamish at the sight of blood. Are you reliable and willing to work hard to get the training you need?

A dental assistant helps a dentist in many different ways. Some of the basic tasks involve prepping the patients, sterilizing the instruments to be used, setting up the dental trays, and working alongside the dentist as he/she performs both routine and emergency procedures. Responsibilities may also include taking x-rays, recording information and giving postoperative instructions to the patient. Some assistants are expected to perform office duties and/or lab duties as well.

The training requirements differ depending on the state. At the minimum you must have a high school diploma or a GED to be hired at entry-level position. Although you receive on-the-job training, it is highly desirable to have a formal education in the field. Those who have not been certified are very limited in their opportunities for advancement. With the dental assistant field becoming more and more competitive, if you have advanced training you will have a definite advantage over those who don’t.

When it comes to dental assistant courses, there are a number of options available. Four year universities offer degrees in health professions which may include dental assisting. Community or junior colleges have two year Associate of Applied Sciences degrees. The military has training programs and there are online schools as well. Oftentimes enrolling in a dental assistant tech school can give you the specialized training you need in a shorter amount of time. When choosing a school the most important thing to look for is accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Accreditation serves many purposes. It simplifies things if you need to transfer credits from one school to another. Even more importantly it insures that the school meets the high standards which are necessary for you to pass the tests required for certification Finally, you are more likely to be hired if you have been certified. For a list of CODA accredited dental assistant programs see http://www.danb.org/PDFs/CPDAApplication.pdf.

Once you have chosen a school, you can expect to take classes in subjects such as oral anatomy, dental materials, medical terminology, physiology, methods of assisting and dental radiography. Your school may also require that you complete a certain number of hours of work experience. An accredited program will take you anywhere from one to two years to complete. Once you have graduated you will be eligible for certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). The Certified Dental Assistant exam is actually made up of three tests, Radiation Health and Safety, Infection Control and General Chairside, which can be taken separately or all at once. Each state has its own regulations regarding licensing, but the majority of states recognize the DANB certification exam.

The future of the dental assistant field looks very bright. It is one of the fastest growing occupations in the U.S. and is expected to continue to grow through 2018. The average salary is over $33,000 a year and there are many opportunities for advancement.

Dental assisting can be an interesting and rewarding career which brings the satisfaction of knowing you are helping others. With careful planning, and a dental assistant course, you can be on your way to an exciting career!