Dental Assistant |
Who Are Dental Assistants?Is This Program in My Area?What Do Dental Assistants Do? Those who complete formal dental assistant training are certified to sterilize and prepare instruments, equipment and materials the dentist requires to treat each patient. Dental Assistants work alongside the dentist during procedures and instruct patients on postoperative and general oral health care. Office duties involve scheduling appointments, checking in patients, updating records, accounts payable/receivable and ordering dental supplies and materials. Dental assistants may also prepare casting materials for impressions and restorations, take dental x-rays & process the film or perform coronal polishing and restorative dentistry functions. Dental Assistant Training Most states regulate the duties that dental assistants are allowed to perform and also require licensing. Dental assistant certification is received through training in accredited dental assistant programs offered through community and junior colleges, trade schools, technical institutes or a school for dental assistant training. Dental Assistant school programs include classroom, laboratory, and preclinical instruction in dental-assisting skills and related theory. In addition dental assistant school students gain practical hands-on experience in clinics or dental offices. Most programs take 1 year or less to complete and lead to a certificate or diploma. Dental Assistant Certification Once Dental Assistant training is complete individuals are prepared for Dental Assistant Certification and Licensing. This certification is available through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) and is recognized or required in more than 30 States. Dental Assistant Certification is an acknowledgment of qualifications and professional competence and will play an important factor when seeking employment. Candidates may qualify to take the DANB certification examination by graduating from an ADA-accredited school for dental assistants. In addition, applicants must have current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Dental Assistant Job Prospects Dental Assistants act as a second pair of hands for the dentist; therefore, dentists look for people who are reliable, are team oriented, have good manual dexterity and have completed dental assistant training. Without further education, advancement opportunities are limited. Some dental assistants have advanced to positions as office managers, dental-assisting instructors, dental product sales representatives, or insurance claims processors. Dental Assistant Job Security and Salary Demand for Dental Assistants is projected to increase 29 percent over the next eight years, making it one of the fastest growing occupations in the country. Dental Assistant schools are struggling to keep up with demand. The increase in the dental assistant job market is due to employment growth in the dental industry and replacement positions for retiring employees or those who changed occupations. According to the Bureau of Labor, dentists prefer to employ experienced assistants who have completed a dental assisting program from a formal dental assistant school and they are willing to pay between $11.94 p/hr to $20.69 p/hr to get them. For a motivated, career-minded individual dental assistant training and experience serves as a steppingstone or springboard to more highly skilled, higher paying and rewarding careers. Take your first step today! |