Dental assistants are educated and trained individuals who aid dentists and dental hygienists in various clinical procedures and administrative tasks. A dental assistant’s primary responsibility is to prepare the dental office for patient appointments. However, dental assistants also assist in numerous procedures (e.g., administering x-rays, cleaning teeth, surgery, etc.) being conducted on patients. Carrying out these tasks allows dentists and dental hygienists to concentrate exclusively on patient treatment.
There are a number of skills and qualities a student interested in pursuing a career as a dental assistant must encompass. Dental assistants must have good interpersonal skills. They are in constant contact with dentists, patients, and other staff members therefore, they must be able to communicate well and convey information in a polite and courteous manner...Read More
Dental assistants must be compliant; there are certain rules and protocols dentist must abide by therefore, dental assistants must be knowledgeable of these regulations and be respectful of them as well. Due to the numerous instruments and tools used by dentists and dental hygienists, dental assistants must have efficient organizational skills. They must store, arrange, and organize these materials in a manner that is convenient for dentists and dental hygienists.
As seen here, dental assistants undertake significant responsibilities and are regarded as valuable members of a dental health care team. A dentist’s efficiency in providing quality oral health and treatment would greatly decrease without dental assistants by their sides.
Dental Assistant Degree Levels Available
Dental Assistant Training Program
The dental assistant training program offers technical training in classroom or clinical settings and educates students in various aspects of the dentistry profession such as oral health, preventative dentistry, and oral pathology. During this one-year program, students learn about oral anatomy, dental materials, dentistry terminology, dental radiology, nutrition and oral hygiene, dental office procedures, dental diseases, and infection control. The dental assistant training program typically leads to the associate’s degree in dental assisting.
Associate’s Degree in Dental Assisting
An associate’s degree in dental assisting prepares students to assist dentists in numerous tasks such as administering x-rays for patients, cleaning teeth, or aiding in surgery. This two-year program includes courses in areas such as dental materials, radiology for dental assistants, dental anatomy, emergency medicine, infection control, oral pathology, and preventative dentistry. Upon graduation from this program, students may obtain employment in dental offices, hospitals, or dental equipment supply companies.
Certification as a Dental Assistant
Most states require dental assistants to be certified by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). To qualify for certification, dental assistants must have completed either a dental assistant training program or obtained an associate’s degree in dental assisting, undergone the necessary amount of hours in on-the-job training, have certification in CPR, and pass the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) examination.
Admission Requirements
Although various colleges and vocational schools may vary slightly, students can expect fairly standard admission requirements when applying to enroll in a dental assistant training program or to obtain an associate’s degree in dental assisting. Successful completion of high school or an academic equivalent (such as a GED) is required along with high school transcripts displaying grades obtained in completed courses. Students must fill out an application form from the college or vocational school they wish to attend and submit it along with an application fee, which of course varies depending on the institution.Volunteer and/or work experience in the dentistry field is always beneficial to the student and will aid in their acceptance during the application process.
Costs and Accreditation
Costs for an associate’s degree in dental assisting may vary from $15 000 to $30 000. This figure is only an estimate. College and vocational school fees may vary drastically from one institution to another since there are a number of factors which affect tuition such as public versus private institutions, online degrees, federal student assistance programs, etc. (Source: the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics)
The DANB charges dental assistants $375.00 for the examination and certification.
Colleges and vocational schools which offer an associate’s degree or certification in dental assisting must be aligned with CODA (the Commission on Dental Accreditation) standards. CODA is a branch of the American Dental Association and most employers only hire students who graduated from a CODA-accredited institution.
Average Annual Salary for Dental Assistants
A dental assistant’s salary is based on various factors which include (but are not limited to) their level of education, the extent of their experience, and who they are employed by. Earnings may vary drastically from person to person. However, $25 080 to $45 080 is the average annual earnings for dental assistants (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
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