Dental Assistant Schools: The Best Institutions Available For Dental Training
In this article we will discuss dental assistant schools. The dental assistant position is one of the fastest growing fields in America today. It is estimated that in the next eight years the dental assistant position is expected to expand by as much as nearly 40 percent. With great benefits, ability to promote within, and accessibility to jobs in nearly every city, it is understandable why more and more people are choosing this career path.
In order for and individual to become a CDA (certified dental assistant), they must graduate from an accredited college or institute first. The licensure, registration and certification of the duties that an assistant is able to perform are varied from state to state. It is advisable that one check with the state they plan to practice in to be informed of the certification requirements before enrolling in any schools.
Also, not all schools that provide dental assistant training are accredited by the ADA (American Dental Association). In order for an individual to be certified as an oral assistant, this is a must. Also, if enrolling in online courses, check to make sure that the parent school is approved by either the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
There a variety of dental assistant schools that will provide the necessary training for certification. Depending on which program you enter, the length of the course training will vary. Most training courses average near seven months. Several schools offer courses that can be as short as four months and others, such as community colleges and universities, provide associates degree courses that last as long as two years. Many students choose schools that offer online courses. For those individuals that are looking to acquire an education but must work, this opportunity provides an added benefit.
Most oral assistant courses are normally separated between laboratory procedures and theory-based classes. Many of the different classes a student would be expected to learn at dental assistant schools include:
Physiology, Anatomy, and Terminology
Computer Basics
Fundamentals of Math
First Aid and CPR
Dental Pathology and Anatomy
Fundamentals of Dentistry
Dental Administration
Dental Pharmacology
Clinical Dental Procedures
Dental Equipment Use and Care
Dental X-rays
Dental Materials
Usually, the student must complete an externship. The average term for an externship is usually around 300 hours.
Of the many dental assistant schools available, a few stand out among the rest. These schools are top when it comes to offering the best educational opportunities for those entering this field. Usually more expensive than other schools, these diploma, certificate, and degree programs provide unmatched training and preparation. The stand out schools are as follows:
American School of Nursing
Allied College
US Career Institute
Ultimate Medical Academy
Sanford-Brown College
Remington College
Lincoln Technical Institute
Everest College
Though these dental assistant schools are possibly the best, they are not the only colleges and institutions that provide a great education. Each state has plenty of schools that offer great opportunities. What matters is which school is the proper fit for you.
Top Online Dental Assistant Schools
Dental assistant schools online are the subject of this article and I am going to provide a brief overview of some of the best. The field of dentistry is growing year by year. Numbers show that jobs in this field will increase by nearly 40 percent in the next seven years. For this reason, many individuals are seeking certification or diplomas towards being a dental assistant.
Many people are searching for new job opportunities as the economy continues to dwindle. This, however, is hard since many of these individuals are working full-time jobs to support themselves and their families. It is this reason that schools who offer online degrees, diplomas, and certifications are becoming so desirable. These programs enable these students to maintain a full-time job while also allowing them to study in their own free time.
There are several different dental assistant schools that offer online programs. Before becoming a dental assistant, a student must first pass the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam. These schools will provide the training and skills needed. It is important that when searching for the right online program that meets your needs, you must first make sure that the school itself is accredited by the ADA (American Dental Association). Another thing to look into would be to check the student success rate on the CDA exam for each school.
Of the various dental assistant schools that provide online programs, the following are a list of the top schools and universities:
Penn Foster
Strattford Career Institute
Ashworth College
Kaplan University
U.S. Career Institute (they provide class materials through the mail)
This list of dental assistant schools will give you all the skills necessary to a successful future as an oral assistant. You will still be able to work and proper for your family while having the time and convenience to study on your own.
What The Best Dental Assistant Schools Should Have
People interested in finding the best dental assistant schools, will find colleges and technical schools all across the country who offer this type of training. Various institutions will offer different types of programs, with most of them offering the basic certification program. For general consideration, the schools who offer larger selections of training programs are normally a better choice. A selection of schools offering these advanced programs are Lincoln College of New England, Samford-Brown Institute, and Miller-Motte Technical College.
Miller-Motte Technical College has programs geared toward earning a certificate, a diploma, and an Associate's degree. The majority of this school's campuses are spread throughout the state of North Carolina.
Samford-Brown Institute, located in Florida, provides a dental assistant training programs that includes expanded functions. This program is set up to teach chairside procedures along with the other office administration procedures. This institution has online courses that are available if needed.
Of the dental assistant schools, Lincoln College of New England is well renown as a top institution and is based in Connecticut. It has programs for training individuals to become both dental administrative assistants or chairside oral technicians. The school itself is accredited with the CODA (Commission on Dental Accreditation).
Advancement in the dental field and increases in income both may be obtainable through administrative positions. Most dental schools have several campuses that offer training across the nation. This is beneficial to those individuals that want to stay close to home.
Finding schools that are accredited and who offer online courses or learning from a distance can also be another alternative to gain training. Schools that offer distance learning have online classes set up for students who live near the campus, but are not always available to make it into class. This style of program enables students to study at their leisure, while still being able to attend their everyday jobs. Students will be required to attend all classes that provide hands on training on those particular days.
Many dental assistant schools have online programs to cater to individuals that live many states away. For these programs, the individuals themselves are required to complete all lab and clinical work during their own time. One can accomplish this by taking these hands on courses through a local institution. It is because of this reason that it a must that individuals choose school programs that are accredited. This way any credits obtained at one school may be transferred without complication to another school. A need that is extremely important for combining hands on courses with online courses.
There are government funds that are available to help pay school tuition for accredited dental assistant schools. Because government funds will only be available through approved institutions, this is another reason to seek out schools with accreditation. When trying to find the best schools that offer training in the dental field, those that stand out are the institutions that have gained accreditation and offer an assortment of programs that will best fit an individual and their needs.
Dental Assistant Schools Online
If you're worried that it might be hard to locate dental assistant schools, don't be. All you need to do is perform an online search and you'll come up with a list of schools for dental assisting. Once you find the school of your choice, all you will need to do is to contact admissions and they will get you started on your journey to become a dental assistant.
Make sure you look for accredit schools. You can do this by typing in the search box the following search phrase: "accredited online dental assisting". You'll then get a listing of links to schools offering programs on dental assisting online. Many of the schools that offer dental assisting require that you attend college on campus. If you'd rather complete your schooling from home online, you'll have to look for schools offering self-paced programs on dental assisting. If you choose to attend a self-paced school, you'll need to fund your education out of your pocket. The majority of schools offering self-paced dental assisting programs offer payment plans to students. You can pay for the program on a monthly basis while you attend classes.
The good thing about attending self-paced dental assistant schools is that all of your books are included with your tuition. You'll get the next set of course materials by mail after you turn in the previous set. You get to keep all course materials mailed to you so you can refer back to them whenever you need to. The books may come in handy when you want to study to become a certified dental assistant.
A good number of online schools provide job placement or internships so students can get a job or gain the experience in the field. Check with the school's career placement counselor for internship or employment information. Some schools don't have internship opportunities to students, though. Find out beforehand what the school's rules are on job placement or internships. It's the school's job to see to it that you succeed in your chosen field.
Going to one of the online dental assistant schools can be a good investment if you find the right school. It's a good idea to read reviews about the school when you're choosing one. You can also try contacting local dental offices and asking if the type of dental assisting degree you plan on pursuing is something they'd accept. Mention where you plan to get the degree and you'll know if the school is a good school to go to.
Help in Finding Online Dental Assistant Schools
If you're one of the adults who find themselves seeking dental assistant schools online, then you're not alone. If you're interested in a program that can assist you in developing the skills you need to embark on a new career, continue reading. You'll find out how you can be a part of the exciting field of dental assisting.
First, it's important to realize that joining this incredible profession means that you'll be performing tasks like instructing patients on post-operative care, setting up trays for procedures, and working closely with dentists and office staff. Can you visualize yourself doing these tasks on a daily basis? If yes, you're a good candidate for a dental assisting. Below are a few programs you can check out.
Finding time to go to school to gain the skills needed to enter a new field can be hard, but online programs allow you to learn from the comfort of your own home. There are many excellent online dental assistant schools today, and one of them is Penn Foster Career School. It's a breeze to enroll and the tuition is not expensive. Also, the tuition covers the course materials needed. For people looking to switch to a new career, Penn Foster Career School is an excellent option. Its accreditation means graduates won't have a difficult time looking for a job.
Yet another one of the popular dental assistant schools online is the Stratford Career Institute. It's very easy to enroll in this school. In fact, new students can almost immediately start studying and be on their way to becoming a dental assistant. Like Penn Foster, the Stratford Career Institute offers affordable fees that include books and materials.
Then there's the U.S. Career Institute. The instructors are supportive, the class format is easy, and the learning environment is self-paced. If you're looking for the perfect school for at-home study, the U.S. Career Institute is it. The textbooks used contain information that the instructors at the U.S. Career Institute think that students should know. Think you can't afford the program? think again. The school offers a low down payment, small monthly payments, no finance charges, and zero interest!
If you're ready to select between dental assistant schools, consider using the information above in your decision making process. Keep in mind that these schools are affordable and allow you to complete the program at home and at your own pace. You've got no excuse really to delay making the career change you've been wanting to do. Find the right right program for you and get started on the path to becoming a dental assistant today.