Dental Assistant Schools, Training Programs

Dental Assistant Schools - Learn About Dental Assistant Training Programs

Dental assistant careers start with the proper education. Dental assisting schools teach students to provide patient care, laboratory and office duties.

Of course, the dental assistants do not provide the same level of care that a dental hygienist is licensed to perform. But they do have their responsibilities.

Some dental assistants receive training from online classes and offline accredited programs. The dental assistant curriculum is offered at technical institutes, trade schools, junior and community colleges and even the Armed Forces.

A high school diploma is required. Further, courses in chemistry, health and biology along with knowledge of office procedures would be very helpful.

Most dental assistants work in a dentist office either as the assistant to the dentist or assistant to dental hygienist. Some of them work in educational settings and hospitals. About a third of the dental assistants work only part time, finding work in several offices rather than just one.

Dental assistants have to pass the dental assistant state exam upon completion of their dental assistant studies. On top of this, they should be reliable and be good when working with their hands. Some expanded functions dental assistants go on to perform are work as dental assisting instructors, dental product sales reps and even office managers.

Dental assistants have a job outlook that is outstanding. This field will continue to grow faster than average through 2016. The median hourly income for dental assistants in 2007 is a little over $13.50 per hour.

The duties performed by the dental assistant include making patients comfortable, preparing them for treatment and getting the dental records together. They will hand instruments and other materials to the dentists and help keep the patients' mouths from having too much saliva. They are usually the ones in charge of making sure equipment and instruments get disinfected.

Sometimes, if they have been on the job long enough, they are allowed to prepare the material for making impressions, expose x-rays and even process the film. Sometimes they are taught how to remove sutures, freeing up some of the dentist's time.

In essence, a dental assistant's career can be whatever they make it out to be once they are working in the field. The more they want to perform and learn, the more they can perform and learn, depending upon state laws in their state. License is required in most states, but once they have that, they are pretty much free to choose whatever career path they want.

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