Dental Assistant Programs

Get An Advantage In The Field By Enrolling In Dental Assistant Programs

There are many different tasks to do in a dental office, many of which the dentist has no time for. Some are clerical, others concern office and supply maintenance and many are also in the examination room directly with the patient. These tasks can certainly be learned on the job by a dental assistant, but with all the job competition out there today, prospective employees should do as much as possible to get an advantage.

One such route is enrolling in dental assistant programs which will train a student in the different aspects of a dental assisting position and give them real, clinical practice. If you are lucky enough to get a dental assistant job straight out of high school, that is perfect, but if you are struggling to beat the competition, attending an accredited program could make the difference for you.

There are many different types of programs offered at dental assisting schools that range in the amount of time, training and degree level you get. considering that you do not require a degree to find a job as a dental assistant, any training you get is an asset. To get into any dental assistant program, you will have needed to complete your high school diploma or GED first.

For basic instruction in the field, you can take a 4-6 month course at a private trade school. They will cover many of the tasks you will need on the job, but these courses are not accredited and don't lead to a degree. The education however will still be appealing to potential employers.

For an accredited course, the Commission on Dental Accreditation within the American Dental Association (ADA) has recognized 269 different dental programs; both for certificates and degrees. To get a certificate or diploma in dental assisting requires less than a year and will teach you office theory, dental assisting skills and offer you clinical training and lab practice. You will also get practical experience in a dental office.

For further education and more advanced studies, you can also pursue a 2 year associate's degree program. This will give you additional preclinical training and better prepare you to begin working right away, rather than endure a lengthy on the job training period. It is important though to look into the requirements outlined by your state on what a dental assistant must have to practice. Many states require a dental assistant to be licensed by passing an exam.

There are many classes to prepare you for this exam that last from 10-12 months. Other states instead require specific state approved courses to be taken, usually ranging from 4-12 hours. You also have the option of becoming certified by passing an exam offered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). You can only become certified if you've completed an accredited program or if you have more than 2 years of full time or 4 years of part time experience.

Anyone wanting to work in this field has many different dental assistant programs to choose from, but more importantly you need to see what your state requires of you. Although on the job training and experience is adequate in many places, dental assisting programs are becoming more and more necessary in order to complete licensing or certification requirements. Do your research carefully, and before you know it you will be able to start your new career.

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