Dental Assistant Training: Time For A Career Change?
The main focus of this article is dental assistant training. Most dentists today choose to employ assistants to help them with their day to day tasks. Whether their help be assisting in clinical procedures, everyday laboratory work, educating patients on post-care, or managing clerical duties; dental assistants are responsible for completing these tasks each day.
Dental assistants are not licensed to perform certain procedures and treatments that either a dental hygienist or dentist are allowed to perform. Dental nurses is the name these assistants are commonly called. One must initially complete dental assistant training in preparation for the CDA (Certified Dental Assistant) exam. The exam is four hours and is required to become an active assistant. One may train for this exam by means of several different methods.
One method is to complete a two year associates degree program through a university or community college that offers dental assistant training. A GED or high school diploma is required before entering an associates degree program. To become an assistant, it is not a requirement to have an associates degree. Most dental hygienist do have an associates degree, so a two year degree would help if one is looking to advance later in their career.
The second method a person may enter a training program is through a technical institute or a vocational school. This version of training is faster paced with a more time being focused towards hands-on development. A GED or high school diploma is needed upon entering the one year vocational schools. The majority of students who complete this course become dental assistants.
Some dentists also offer on-the-job training to allow various individuals the ability to prepare for the CDA exam. This is possible because many states are able to hire individuals who are not certified in the field that they will be training towards certification at a later date (the rules and regulations vary from state to state). If one chooses to follow this path to become an assistant, they must work under the dentist's supervision for 2 years before being allowed to apply for certification.
The course work for dental assistant training is divided between theory courses and clinical study courses. Included classes for the theory course are office fundamentals and procedures and dental science. The clinical study courses will include classes geared towards taking x-rays, equipment maintenance, and updating patient's records. One year technical institutes and vocational schools offering dental certificate programs will usually include classes as previously mentioned.
Diploma programs will go further in depth with additional classes and clinical studies. These classes include, but are not limited to, oral anatomy, radiology, human biology, and other related subjects. These students will be able to seek employment in the fields of periodontics or orthodontics after completing these classes.
Associates degree programs, in comparison to diploma programs, will have subsequently more dental assistant training classes. Health/safety classes (OSHA), dental procedures, impression making, and many other classes are to be expected in this type of dental program. In preparation for the CDA exam and a career in dentistry, the understanding and implementation of these classes are vital to the students success.
Dental Assistant Training Produces Awesome Careers
On-the-job experience and little time spent in the classroom involved in dental assistant training can produce good careers. For those students who are researching opportunities for education and adults who may be looking into changing career fields, the dental assistant position offers a well paying career choice. With the needs of dentists from patients continuing to increase, this position is expected to consistently grow, which in turn will provide more and more job opportunities.
With the economy in shambles and the job market continually changing, many professionals today struggle to maintain their positions in their current careers. This has lead to many of these individuals seeking new job positions in a more stable environment. The field of dentistry offers many exciting opportunities for those individuals who are interested in a new career choice. Great entry-level salaries, excellent health and dental benefits and a growing job market make dental assistant training an attractive option for many job-seekers.
Dental assistants work closely with dentists, orthodontists and other specialists to provide high-quality health care to almost every individual in the nation. The skills these individuals learn in training will be put to the test daily. For this reason, it is essential that those who enter this field gain the best education possible for their future demands. Customer service is also taken into consideration when becoming an dental assistant. The ability to create and build relationships and manner in which one conducts their self are important to this position.
Compared to other positions in the health care industry, dental assistant training provides an accelerated approach to placing individuals into the field of dentistry. The programs involved in training can be as quick as five months (certificate programs) or may last up to two years (associate's degree). For those that choose to gain a degree in this field, this will improve their chances for advancing later.
Dental assistant training is normally provided by educational facilities that tend to have lower fees and tuition compared to many other programs. Saving money and saving time, the training course leading towards certification can be completed in a fraction of the time required to become a nurse or other medical care professional, and will see students and adult learners alike on their way to great new careers in an exciting and growing field. By earning a certificate from an accredited dental program, individuals will be on the fast track toward a safe job with good pay and a great career in the expanding field of dentistry.
Dental Assistant Training Courses
If an individual is looking to enter the dentistry field as an oral assistant, they might face several of these dental assistant training courses. Many course areas essential to the procedures that one will apply in the field are covered by the certification programs. Students will be educated by these courses on the office operations and clinical tasks that they need to perform.
One might encounter many of these courses while attending one of the two hundred plus ADA accredited schools:
Management of Dental Care
This dental assistant training course is available to teach students about oral care basics and the materials they will be using in the field. They will also learn how to educate patients on post-care procedures and help with showing them how to properly use the materials for this process.
Dental Materials Cleaning and Maintenance
This course is designed to inform the students on the materials that they will encounter on a day to day basis and how to properly clean and sanitize these materials. It will also teach students how to properly maintain and clean a clinic during, before, and after office hours.
Dental Terminology
This terminology course is essential to the dental students education and success. As suggested, this course is used to educated students on all the medical and dental terms they will be using in a dental clinic. By studying this terminology and familiarizing themselves with these terms, they will better be able to assist the dentist during their procedures.
Anatomy of the Face
This dental assistant training course is yet another highly important class the students must take and learn. In this course, students will learn about the facial bone structure and organs. This information is essential to helping assist dentists in oral operations and other procedures on the job.
Imaging of X-rays
The students will learn how to properly use x-ray machines in the x-ray imaging class. On top of learning how to use the x-ray devices, student will also be taught the proper health and safety regulations and learn how to read these x-rays they take of patients' teeth.
Filing of Patient Record and Office Administration Management
This course is designed to educate students on how to properly manage the paper work of a dental office. The topics covered in the course will be the filing and organization of patient records along with the filing of patient bills and receipts. Before a consult, the students will know how to read files of patients and determine the steps that need to be taken to help those patients.
The courses that these students take during dental assistant training are key to the success they will have in the dentistry field. Knowledge and implementation of these courses will help the students towards a long career.
The Profession After Dental Assistant Training
The number of people choosing to enroll in dental assistant training programs has never been as high as today. Dental assistants work under the supervision of dentists in providing dental care to patients. Cleaning and disinfecting dental tools and equipment, assisting dentists in dental exams, and cleaning patient's teeth are just some of the things that dental assistants do on the job. They may also carry out clerical tasks, which include scheduling dental exams and answering the phone.
Choosing a career in dental assisting has a lot of benefits. One of the benefits is an extremely flexible schedule. Most have between 35- and 40-hour work weeks and have weekends off. One other benefit is the great pay. The average salary of dental assistants is roughly $32,000 annually, but a good number of them make more than $46,000 a year. The job prospects for dental assistants are also predicted to be bright. From 2011 to 2018, the field of dental assisting is expected to grow by 36%. This is according to the Occupation Standard Handbook.
Compared to other medical professional training, the dental assistant training is not as extensive. In the majority of dental assistant training programs, a high school diploma or GED is required in order to qualify. To prepare themselves for the rigors of a dental assisting program, high school students should take biology, algebra, and chemistry courses. Those who would like a career in dental assisting have to be comfortable working with people.
You'll find that dental assistant programs are offered at community colleges or technical schools. The programs have clinical and classroom components. Students are taught the basics of dental assisting in the classroom component, while they get to apply the skills they were taught in the clinical component of the program. Unless they successfully complete the classroom and clinical components, students can't graduate a dental assisting program.
Once students complete the program, they are awarded a certificate or a diploma. Those with experience in the dentistry field are able to complete on-the-job training. There are a number of programs that can be completed less than 6 months.
A good number of dental assistant training student go on to earn an associate degree. People with advanced education and training are qualified to become dental instructors and managers at dental offices. Moreover, they;ve got better job prospects and they can earn a high annual salary.
The enrollment in dental assistant training programs has increased drastically within the past few years. Many want a career in the dentistry field, while others are wanting to have a new career. No matter the reason for choosing to enroll in a program, though, people who complete training in dental assisting will have an incredibly rewarding career.
Are You Up for Dental Assistant Training?
Regardless if you're fresh out of high school or wanting to have a new career, you may be thinking of undergoing dental assistant training. Many are attracted to the benefits offered by the dentistry field: attractive salaries, a wide selection of jobs, and excellent benefit packages for most dental professionals. However, there are a few unique issues you should consider before choosing to attend school to become a dental assistant. The following are a few challenges to seriously think about. They're usually not discussed during the initial stages of training, but they could significantly impact your dental assisting career.
Are You Squeamish or Emotional?
While the vast majority of dental work is accomplished painlessly, local anesthesia is not without flaws. Some people do not get numb. Then there are those who are scared of the dentist and may cry, throw up, or have panic attacks during a dental procedure. There are also times when there are huge amounts of pus or blood. And don't forget the patients who have bad breath, oral cancers, or open sores. If you are easily moved to tears by a horrified child or feel nauseous at the sight of blood or smell of infection, dental assisting may not be right for you.
Are You Functionally Ambidextrous?
You need to have proficiency and dexterity with your left hand if you're right-handed and the dentist you're assisting is right-handed as well. The same scenario is true if you are both left-handed. Whether the dentist you're assisting is right-handed or left-handed, you need to have the ability to work opposite him. During your dental assistant training, you'll learn how to use both hands comfortably, but you might have some difficulties if you strongly favor one hand over the other.
How Are Your Own Teeth?
Clients coming into the office will expect you to have pearly white, even teeth. Dentists usually want their staff to have beautiful teeth. If you were a plastic surgeon, would you hire someone with an uncorrected lazy eye? If you are phobic of having your own teeth worked on or have uncorrected dental issues in your front teeth, you may be unfairly discriminated against when it comes time to find a job.
Are You Comfortable with All Types of People?
During dental assistant training, you may be asked to allow other students to inspect your mouth or do a cleaning under supervision for class credit. When you work in a dentist's office, you'll meet handicapped, mentally disabled, and even violent people. If you are uncomfortable sharing personal space with other people, regardless of gender, handicap, or race, dental assisting might not be the right career path for you.
You'll have many job opportunities once you complete dental assistant training. However, you need to carefully think about the issues mentioned before deciding to push through. Dental assistants are expected to be composed, relaxed, and professional at all times, as well as have a functional amount of ambidexterity.