A Glimpse Into Dental Assistant Education
Entry Level Dental Healthcare Career and Continuing Education
Jul 18, 2009
Dental assistants are the most in-demand job in the field of dentistry. Assistants perform numerous tasks including sterilizing instruments, educating patients on dental care, and taking x-rays. Dental assistants typically have very flexible schedules, allowing the opportunity to work a second job or go to school. This career field is expected to grow by approximately 29 percent by 2016 (Bureau of labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009).
Working in a well-lighted and clean environment, a dental assistant is usually near the dental chair. This allows assistants to arrange instruments, materials, and medication provided to a dentist when needed. Assistants must wear gloves, masks, eye wear, and protective clothing for protection from infectious diseases.
Typical duties include the preparation of materials for impressions and restorations, taking dental x-rays, and processing x-ray film as directed by a dentist. Assistants also may remove sutures, apply topical anesthetics to gums or cavity-preventive agents to teeth, remove excess cement used in the filling process, and place rubber dams on teeth for isolation during treatment.
Assistants must be a second pair of hands for a dentist; therefore, dentists look for people who are reliable, work well with others, and have good manual dexterity. About half of people employed in this career field have a 35 to 40 hour workweek. Most of the rest work part-time or have variable schedules. Depending on the hours of the dental office, assistants may have to work on Saturdays or evenings.
Paying for Dental Assistant School
Students in certified dental assistant schools are eligible to receive financial aid from federal sources and other free sources of free money to pay for this education. Additional alternative funding is through unsecured Sallie Mae loans.
Entry Level Education for Dental Assistants
The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) within the American Dental Association (ADA) is the main body for certification of dental assisting training programs. Entry level education requires completion of a one or two year program leading to a certificate or associate degree offered in community and junior colleges. Private vocational schools that offer four to six month courses are not accredited and recognized by the commission.
Accreditation programs include classroom, laboratory, and pre-clinical instruction in dental assisting skills and related theory. In addition, students gain practical experience in dental schools, clinics, or dental offices. All programs require a high school diploma or its equivalent, and some require science or computer-related courses for admission.
A period of on-the-job training is often required, even for those that have completed a dental assisting program. Dentists may have specific styles of doing things that need to be learned before an assistant can be comfortable working with a dentist. Also, as dental technology changes, assistants need to stay familiar with the tools and procedures used when helping dentists. Success in a dental assistant program requires planning and following these eight steps.
Licensure Requirements
Most states regulate the duties that dental assistants are allowed to perform. Some states require licensure or registration, which may include passing a written or practical examination. Other states require completion of state-approved education courses of four to 12 hours in length. Some states require continuing education to maintain licensure or registration.
Certification Requirements
Certification is available through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) and is recognized or required in more than 30 states. Certification is an acknowledgment of an assistant’s qualifications and professional competence and may be an asset when one is seeking employment. Candidates qualify to take the DANB certification examination by graduating from a CODA/ADA accredited education program. In addition, applicants must have current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Continuing Education Requirements
DANB requires a minimum of 12 continuing education hours annually, which is in line with states that have mandatory requirements. Continuing education means that certified dental assistants continuously improve knowledge, skills and abilities – thereby ensuring competency, remaining top professionals and providing the highest quality service to the public.
Making Connections in Dental Assistant Education
A dental assistant is a key person in the dental treatment of patients, because the assistant is the right arm of a dentist. After completing entry level education requirements, graduates often have little difficulty finding employment considering it is the fastest growing career field in the dental health care industry. Entry into this career field provides additional opportunities to branch out within the dental health care industry, with additional education and certification.
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