Get The Right Education To Become A Dental Assistant - Find Out About Dental Assisting Schools, Programs And Certification
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Working as a dental assistant can be a busy job with many diverse responsibilities.
Dental Assistant Job Description
An assistant will be responsible for sterilizing equipment, making the patient comfortable, getting dental records, and instructing the patient on proper oral health care. They also help the dentist during the treatment by keeping the mouth dry by suctioning and handing the dentist the instrument he needs.
Additionally, an assistant may have to take xrays, remove stitches, and apply dental dams among other things. A dental assistant could also have extensive laboratory duties that include making tooth casts and impressions, making temporary crowns and cleaning mouth appliances.
Finally, an assistant could have office duties, especially if it is a small clinic, and they could include making appointments, sending bills and receiving payments and ordering supplies.
Educational Requirements
Dental assisting schools are not necessary to become an entry level assistant, but more and more people are considering formal education in order to get ahead of the competition and get better job opportunities.
There are 281 dental assistant programs though that the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) recognized in 2009 that lead to a 1 year certificate. Community colleges or trade schools also offer 2 year associate degrees. There are also 4-6 month programs given at some private dental assistant schools, but while they will give you valuable skills, they are not accredited.
On the job training is still common though, so often a simple high school degree will suffice. In that case, your employer will teach you the names and functions of the instruments used, a description of the tasks you will perform, proper dental terminology and how to deal with patients.
In some states though, the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification will be necessary, especially if you will be performing any sort of radiological duties, so in that case, you will need to take the exam given by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) after finishing an accredited program.
Salary Prospects
Getting a good salary as a dental assistant will largely rely on the size of the practice and the level of education you have. Although it is still possible to get a job without formal training, many employers will prefer to hire educated assistants.
The projection for dental assistants is that the field will grow by about 36% until 2018, which means that many new jobs will be created for all levels of education. On average, an assistant will earn about $32,000 a year, but being certified could increase that amount to close to $40,000 and open the door for additional benefits like paid vacation and health care.
If you want to become a dental assistant, go through the proper training to ensure you are eligible for the best opportunities available.
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