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How to become a dental assistant

How to become a dental assistant

At the moment, there are many professions, even in the field of dentistry. In this article, we will take a closer look at who a dental assistant is, as well as how to become one. This material will be helpful if you are interested in learning about this job and dental assistant schooling.

A qualified dental assistant is involved in helping with dental procedures, handles various administrative tasks, and gives patients advice on dental and oral care. In this article, we’ll also explain exactly what these professionals do, how to become a dental assistant, and answer other important questions, including salary.

What is a dental assistant?

A dental assistant is a professional specially trained to assist dentists in treating patients. A represented professional performs a variety of tasks. You can get training at a professional or community college. It takes 6 to 11 months to master the profession. During training, the future dental assistant learns topics related to the job – anatomy, biology, physiology, and more.

This specialist is involved in preparing patients for dental manipulation or organizing appointments. The dental assistant is often the first person the patient encounters who need dental care. The duties of the dental assistant include:

  • scheduling appointments;
  • preparing the dental office for the patient;
  • preparing the immediate patient for the procedure;
  • assisting the doctor in performing the operations;
  • making impressions of teeth;
  • assistance in rinsing the patient’s teeth;
  • sterilization of instruments;
  • the creation of x-rays;
  • counseling patients regarding the proper use of toothbrushes and flossing.

Suppose patients require surgery, then during this process. In that case, the dental assistant is responsible for handing the surgeon the necessary instruments and helping the patient with mouthwash. In general, this specialist’s main task is to ensure that all procedures go as smoothly as possible for both the patient and the doctor.

Benefits of being a dental assistant

The profession presented boasts several benefits:

  • It takes little time to learn. College training takes up to 11 months. Of course, after that, a lot of practice is required to master the chosen direction thoroughly.
  • High demand for the profession. The growth in the number of jobs is relatively rapid. Every year there are more and more jobs. Today, many people are starting to take oral health more responsibly, and partly this factor provokes the growth in the number of dental assistant jobs.
  • Diverse job duties. General job duties remain stable, while the day-to-day responsibilities of a dental assistant vary depending on the dental office’s needs or even the patient’s needs. For example, one day might be making appointments, another day sterilizing instruments, and a third-day handling x-rays. One thing is sure – there is always work for the dental assistant. He comes into contact with new patients every day.
  • A decent salary. It’s no secret that dental assistants earn pretty good money. It is worth noting that the compensation depends on experience, location, and other factors.
  • Ability to help people. Not all people like to visit the dental office. Some patients may even have fear and anxiety. A dental assistant can remedy the situation and help the patient through the procedure by supporting and comforting the patient. This specialist is often in contact with patients and helps them. Most dental assistants say that interacting with patients is what they enjoy most about their job.

Of course, mastering the profession presented also requires desire and ambition, persistence to learn and practice.

Education Requirements

You can take various steps to become a deserving professional, including vocational education, special courses, and certification. Most vocational and technical schools offer a variety of educational programs that take no more than 12 months to complete. Having an associate’s degree in dentistry is a significant advantage over your competitors during the job search. It will also prepare you for further training.

High School Degree or GED

All general math, science, and English courses are required first to become a dental assistant. In particular, high grades are necessary for all of the essential sciences: chemistry, biology, and anatomy. After high school, some may also take a job in a dental office to learn a trade before entering higher education. High school graduates only become familiar with dental tools and terminology in this job, learn how to communicate with patients, and master administrative tasks.

Post-Secondary Training Programs for Dental Assistants

You can complete a dental assistant education program at your local trade school or community college. However, it’s worth taking the course at a facility accredited by the Commission on Dental Assistant Education (CODA). You need a high school diploma or GED to start a practice.

The educational program takes 1-2 years, depending on where you’re studying and whether you want to get a certificate or an associate’s degree. As for coursework, it consists of lab and class work to help you get to know your mouth, teeth, gums, master dental instruments, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and more. It also doesn’t hurt to sign up for an externship before going to work. It can also be integrated into the training program, or you can take an externship.

Certification and Licensing Requirements

Note that only some states require certification. However, most employers prefer professionals who have completed dental assistant (CDA) certification. After completing an accredited dental assistant program, one must take the CDA training and pass the CDA exam. However, suppose a prospective professional has completed a non-accredited educational program or has studied directly in the workplace. In that case, this exam can only be taken after two years of full-time dental assistant employment.

Particular certification and licensing requirements vary from state to state. You can find out these details from your state dental board. In addition, the assistant must also necessarily have a current CPR certification.

On-the-Job Training

As part of the education program, a future dental assistant can also take an externship in addition to coursework. The student is trained directly on the job alongside the doctor as part of an internship or clinical work experience to gain experience and a variety of helpful knowledge. Many employers can request this type of training and professional development. A student completing this program can gain many valuable experiences for a successful career. Also, during the externship, the student learns to apply what they have learned in practice.

Shadowing Experienced Dental Assistants

An equally effective way to learn a profession and gain many valuable skills for future independent work is by shadowing skilled dental assistants, from whom you can learn many useful things. This process often involves observing and performing specific tasks under the full supervision of a mentor (an experienced dental assistant).

Learning Various Procedures

A dental assistant assists during various dental procedures and examinations of patients. In addition, their scope of work also includes administrative tasks, cleaning of instruments, etc. But dental procedures still come first. The assistant must have a clear understanding of how they are conducted and what their specific responsibilities are during each procedure:

  • counseling;
  • removal of sutures;
  • administration of local anesthetic (if qualified);
  • application of dental sealant;
  • treatment of teeth with fluoride and others.

You can learn a clear pattern of these procedures through training and practice under the supervision of a dentist.

Working with Different Types of Dentists

Dentists come in all shapes and sizes – periodontists, prosthodontists, endodontists, pediatric dentists, general dentists, oral surgeons, anesthesiologists, and orthodontists – and each requires a different type of assistant. The latter can work with any of the above doctors, helping them perform certain procedures specific to their specialty. At the same time, the dental assistant must understand the intricacies of each type of procedure.

Job Outlook and Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental assistant employment increased by 11% from 2020 to 2023. This figure is much faster than the average for other occupations. Factors in employment growth include an aging population, people’s awareness of the need for dental care, and others.

As for wages, a dental assistant earns an average of $20.75 per hour. The salary varies from $14.34 to $30.02 per hour. The average base annual salary is $68,380. The salary range is $47,255 to $98,949. The compensation varies depending on specialist experience, the size of the dental practice, and location.

Finishing Touches: Keeping Up with the Latest Technology and Trends in the Field

Like any other field, there are specific trends, tendencies, and innovative technologies in dentistry. To remain successful as a specialist, you must keep up to date with the latest developments. It also does not hurt to take regular refresher courses. It will allow you to become an in-demand specialist and get quite a decent salary.

Conclusion

The dental assistant has a leading role in every dentist’s office. This specialist is responsible for the office’s quality and smooth operation, prompt patient treatment, and the doctor’s workplace sterility. The assistant has a lot of roles – you can X-ray a patient in the morning and make appointments in the afternoon.

What Do You Need to Be a Successful Dental Assistant?

The foundation of any successful dental assistant is sufficient technical training. On top of that, you also need to have the appropriate social skills that will allow you to interact well with patients and other staff. The most important skills include communication, time management, and solving problems quickly.

Why Being a Dental Assistant is Not Just About the Job Title, but Also About Putting in Hard Work and Dedication

You have to work hard to be a good one. It applies to everything from education to on-the-job experience. At the same time, graduating from college and earning a certificate and a job are not enough. You must continue to develop, keep up to date with the latest trends in the field, and work on your personal qualities.

Date: 26 December 2022
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