Pathway To Becoming A Dental Assistant

 Making the decision to pursue a career as a dental assistant can really be an excellent choice. Even as we face a challenging economy with high unemployment, people will continue to require and spend on oral health care. As a dental assistant, you can expect to have many different responsibilities and should be prepared to adjust to the needs of the dentist and dental office you work for. One of the benefits of pursuing a career as a dental assistant is that you can really dive right in, as there are no training or formal education requirements to become a dental assistant. Let's take a look at the pathway to becoming a dental assistant.

High school students interested in an entry-level position as a dental assistant should take courses in chemistry, biology and health. If you do seek to pursue further education after high school, the Commission on Dental Accreditation has approved some 280 dental-assisting training programs. These programs typically take one year to complete and provide a good mix of classroom, laboratory and clinical instruction. Those who complete these programs will receive a diploma or certificate. There are also two year programs that are offered by community and technical colleges which will result in an Associate's Degree. Most dental-assisting training takes place through on-the-job training. The new dental assistant will learn about the following: Proper ways to interact and communicate with patients, appropriate dental terminology, daily tasks that must be completed, scheduling patients and the ways the dentist can be aided during various procedures that will be performed on patients. Working as a dental assistant will also require an ongoing learning process. As new dental technology continues to be introduced, dental assistants will be required to learn the new technology. A good dental assistant is someone who is excited by the idea of learning new things on a constant basis.

If you have decided to pursue a career as a dental assistant, you should feel confident knowing that you have chosen a career that has strong job prospects. After completing high school, you have the choice of completing a one year dental-assisting training program established by the Commission on Dental Accreditation or a two year program at a community or technical college. You can also opt to dive right in and apply for a position where you will learn about dental-assisting through on-the-job training. You should be prepared to learn and stay focused every day on the job.

Dental Assistant Licensure and Certification Requirements

 Are you looking into switching careers and really like the dental assistant salary? If you are considering obtaining training in this field, you will need to learn what is required in terms of licensure and certification. Almost every state regulates the duties of a dental assistant, dictating what they may and may not do legally. Some require that a dental assistant go further and register in order to perform either radiological procedures or other functions. In order to become licensed you may need to attend a dental assisting program which has been accredited and pass a written and/or practical exam.

In addition to the above requirements, many states will require you to take continuing education courses in order to remain registered or licensed. Some states though will allow you to perform any function that has been delegated by the dentist. In order to determine what the requirements are for your state, you should contact the State board in charge of regulating this profession to see what is required for you.

Many choose to obtain their credentials through the Dental Assisting National Board. This certification, known as the Certified Dental Assistant, is a program that 37 states require or recognize. In order to take the DANB certification exam, you must graduate from either a Commission on Dental Accreditation training program or have the equivalent experience which is four years of part-time experience or two years full-time. Furthermore, anyone wishing to take this exam must also be currently certified in CPR. Continuing education credits must be obtained annually to maintain this certification. You may choose to take another training course offered by the state, but this choice is up to you.

Each state has their own standards in terms of certification and licensure which explains why the dental assistant salary can vary greatly. If you choose to obtain additional training in order to handle radiological procedures, your salary will go up as a result. A radiology course may be required by certain states also. Twelve other states do not have formal requirements in order to perform these procedures. Check before you sign up with any program to ensure it meets the requirements of your state.

Completing Dental Assisting Courses Online

 Are you interested in pursuing a career as a dental assistant or are you currently working as a dental assistant? This is a strong, recession-proof career choice that does not require extensive education. High school graduates can obtain entry-level positions as dental assistants. However, some states do require certification through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), which can be obtained after graduating from an accredited dental assisting program, as determined by the American Dental association (ADA). A combination of on-the-job training supplemented by an ADA approved program can serve as a powerful force to help you become a successful dental assistant. You can opt to complete an online dental assisting program. Let's take a closer look at this and the benefits online programs would provide. 

The following sources can provide dental assisting training to you through an online medium: Keiser University, Ultimate Medical Academy Online, Independence University, Fortis Institute and Meditec. Regardless of what online program you consider and ultimately select, it is vital that you select an ADA-accredited program because this is something that prospective employers will favor. There are several advantages to selecting an online dental assisting program. First, it provides far more flexibility than a traditional classroom program would. You can create your own study schedule with an online program. If you are completing on-the-job training simultaneously, this can be incredibly beneficial. You can choose to complete coursework prior to or after your on-the-job training. Secondly, an online program would give you 24/7 access to course material online. You can access course material through any computer that has an Internet connection. Lastly, online courses have come a long way in terms of providing students a truly interactive experience. Completing an ADA-accredited online dental assisting program will provide you with the knowledge necessary to pass the state licensure exams.

If you are interested in working as a dental assistant or are currently working as one, you may consider completing an online dental assisting program. Many states require dental assistants to obtain certification through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), which can be obtained after graduating from an accredited dental assisting program. The online route would provide far more convenience than a traditional classroom setting.