If you're thinking of changing careers, and are looking for an exciting and fast-growing job with opportunities to be well-rewarded financially, consider being a dental assistant. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 29-percent increase in demand for dental assistants over the next ten years, with pay rates approaching over $20/hour for experienced professionals. With a certification program, you can change careers quickly.
What should you look for when choosing an educational program?
Theory and Science
Be sure to look for a program that offers a solid foundation of dental science. As an assistant, you will need to know everything from how to mix an appropriate cast for teeth or mix amalgam filling for cavities, to developing radiographs and x-rays. These are not skills that you can learn on the street! You should look for an accredited school with a dental assistant certificate program. This will allow you to understand the basics of the industry, while preparing you to learn on-site job skills
Real-World Dental Assistant Experience
A program in dental assisting should offer a chance to experience what life is actually like in this career, through internships, externships or other means. This offers several benefits: First, you'll ensure that dental assisting is something you really want to do, and not just something you want to learn about. Secondly, you'll get confidence in your chosen profession. It is one thing to learn about the science of developing x-rays, but an entirely different thing to actually help x-ray a living, breathing patient! Thirdly, having real world experience makes you much more valuable to potential employers. They already know that you can handle the work, and that it is what you want to do. Employers are much more likely to hire a dental assistant who has actually experienced work in this field.
Soft Skills: Just As Important
No job is strictly technical, and dental assisting is no exception. It's not enough to know all about the latest dental procedures and to have completed school with top grades. According to recent studies, as many as 75 percent of all adults in the United States suffer from some degree of dental fear or phobia. To work in this field, you must have the skills to know how to deal with patients who may be afraid of tooth and gum procedures, or even of the dentist's office itself. The best way to learn these skills is via hands-on training in the classroom, and being comfortable enough with the experience to calm fearful patients.
As in almost any profession, you will be a part of an office team. It is important to learn how to interact with patients, and with with dentists, hygienists, technicians, and other office personnel. A training program that helps you work in teams will help you immensely in your professional career.
Specialization in Dental Assisting
Dental assistance is not a monolithic field, and the type of job varies greatly from one location to another. Working in a small, family-run office in a rural area is very different from being part of a large, corporate dentist office in a big city. There are also many different specializations in the field, such as pediatric oral care and prison work. If you are interested in a specific career path, be sure that the school you choose offers it, or is able to help you obtain a position in your desired concentration after you graduate.
Preparation for the CDA (Certified Dental Assistant) Exam
Although it is not necessary in most states to take the Certified Dental Assistant exam, it may give you an edge on the competition. The CDA is a 300-question exam administered by the Dental Assisting National Board. In some states, passing this exam qualifies you to do more advanced work. This obviously makes you more valuable to a prospective employer. Unfortunately, it is difficult to give specific information on the CDA, since the regulations vary from state to state. You will want to research your state's specifications for this exam.
What should you look for when choosing an educational program?
Theory and Science
Be sure to look for a program that offers a solid foundation of dental science. As an assistant, you will need to know everything from how to mix an appropriate cast for teeth or mix amalgam filling for cavities, to developing radiographs and x-rays. These are not skills that you can learn on the street! You should look for an accredited school with a dental assistant certificate program. This will allow you to understand the basics of the industry, while preparing you to learn on-site job skills
Real-World Dental Assistant Experience
A program in dental assisting should offer a chance to experience what life is actually like in this career, through internships, externships or other means. This offers several benefits: First, you'll ensure that dental assisting is something you really want to do, and not just something you want to learn about. Secondly, you'll get confidence in your chosen profession. It is one thing to learn about the science of developing x-rays, but an entirely different thing to actually help x-ray a living, breathing patient! Thirdly, having real world experience makes you much more valuable to potential employers. They already know that you can handle the work, and that it is what you want to do. Employers are much more likely to hire a dental assistant who has actually experienced work in this field.
Soft Skills: Just As Important
No job is strictly technical, and dental assisting is no exception. It's not enough to know all about the latest dental procedures and to have completed school with top grades. According to recent studies, as many as 75 percent of all adults in the United States suffer from some degree of dental fear or phobia. To work in this field, you must have the skills to know how to deal with patients who may be afraid of tooth and gum procedures, or even of the dentist's office itself. The best way to learn these skills is via hands-on training in the classroom, and being comfortable enough with the experience to calm fearful patients.
As in almost any profession, you will be a part of an office team. It is important to learn how to interact with patients, and with with dentists, hygienists, technicians, and other office personnel. A training program that helps you work in teams will help you immensely in your professional career.
Specialization in Dental Assisting
Dental assistance is not a monolithic field, and the type of job varies greatly from one location to another. Working in a small, family-run office in a rural area is very different from being part of a large, corporate dentist office in a big city. There are also many different specializations in the field, such as pediatric oral care and prison work. If you are interested in a specific career path, be sure that the school you choose offers it, or is able to help you obtain a position in your desired concentration after you graduate.
Preparation for the CDA (Certified Dental Assistant) Exam
Although it is not necessary in most states to take the Certified Dental Assistant exam, it may give you an edge on the competition. The CDA is a 300-question exam administered by the Dental Assisting National Board. In some states, passing this exam qualifies you to do more advanced work. This obviously makes you more valuable to a prospective employer. Unfortunately, it is difficult to give specific information on the CDA, since the regulations vary from state to state. You will want to research your state's specifications for this exam.
