Dental Assisting Programs are an excellent method to get a head start in the profession of dentistry. Students will get a wide array of knowledge and in-demand skills they'll need to take on several jobs in dental offices - ranging from cleaning and hygiene promotion to lab work, administration, and other assistant duties.
Dental assisting programs train students for Level I and Level II dental assistant positions by combining theory and practical coursework. Students will gain knowledge of ethics, patient care, laboratory abilities, and how to collaborate and communicate successfully as part of a big dental health care team.
Field assignments are an important aspect of dental assisting programs because they allow students to practice their abilities and network with professionals in the field.
If you want to work in the dental field and have the requisite interpersonal skills, a dental assisting program is for you.
What Is a Dental Assisting Training Program?
Dental assistants play a vital role in dentistry, assisting dentists and patients with operations and administrative responsibilities. Students who opt for our dental assisting program will learn to become Expanded Function Dental Assistants (EFDA) in as little as 10 weeks. This is a DANB (Dental Assisting National Board) Certified position that will allow our students to launch their prosperous careers as Dental Assistants.
The dental assistant is responsible for various activities that require both interpersonal and technical abilities. They aid the dentist at the chair-side by polishing teeth, taking and developing dental radiographs, mixing materials, and sterilizing instruments, among other tasks. EFDA's take on more responsibilities than a traditional CDA would - processing lab samples and performing oral procedures under the dentist's supervision. EFDA's also make more on average than CDA's.
Some assistants are also in charge of the office and patient finances, scheduling appointments and ordering supplies. Careers in private dental offices, research, teaching, clinics, hospitals, sales and insurance claims, and oral surgery are all possibilities for dental assistants.
This program includes first-aid training, dental sciences, radiology, dental materials clinical procedures, infection control, lab procedures, preventive dentistry, business administration, fundamental communications, human relations, and psychology skills in our comprehensive curriculum. Students will receive hands-on training and personal instruction from our trained Dental Professionals and will receive guidance all along their journey from enrollment to finding job opportunities.
What Do You Learn In Dental Assistant School?
Dental assistants must be well-organized, pleasant, and enthusiastic about their work. These characteristics are vital for any successful candidate. While personal working talents vary from person to person, mastering the essential skills taught in dental assistant training can help a person advance and thrive in their field.
A dental assistant's primary responsibility is to assist the dentist. This course includes instruction on how to properly utilize specific dental instruments and practice strategies for doing so. Basic dental procedures may also be taught as part of this training to help patients prepare for more extensive systems.
Dental assistants must help handle the administrative side of a dental practice and support the dentist with their duties. They must frequently plan appointments, keep records, take inventory, and order new equipment. Training will often walk a student through fundamental record-keeping procedures.
One must anticipate a dentist's demands and provide them with the equipment they need to complete a task. Due to this, it necessitates them to think on their feet to have things ready to go and adapt when things don't go as planned. Instructors will frequently run through diverse situations for these reasons.
How Long Does Dental Assistant School Take?
If you want to work as a dental assistant, most schools require you to complete a post-secondary training program, which can take anywhere from 9 to 11 months, depending on your educational path. However our program offers students the ability to earn their Dental Assisting Certification in as little as 8 weeks! Our course is separated into two parts - theoretical and practical education. We will educate our students theory regarding the implications and information necessary to carry out the day-to-day tasks of Dental Assistants. We then take students into the field where they able to get real-life practical experience with actual patients under our professional Dentist's supervision. Our hands-on training and one-on-education aims to fully prepare students for their future careers as Dental Assistants.
Obtaining a GED certificate takes around three months. Some people prefer to learn how to work as a dental assistant through on-the-job training. These trainees study under the supervision of an experienced dental assistant, dental hygienist, or dentist. The length of on-the-job training varies for each dental business.
Certification and licensing criteria can vary by state. Because certain states require dental assistants to be certified, dental assistants should check with the state's dental board in which they desire to work. The length of time it takes to become approved depends on the type of certification you want. Luckily in Florida, the only requirement is passing the DANB (Dental Assisting National Board) EFDA Exams, which our course will fully prepare you for over the course of our 10-week program!
A dental assistant helps a dentist's office run smoothly by completing administrative and clinical tasks like organizing appointments, prepping patients, sterilizing instruments, and taking x-rays. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the job forecast for dental assistants is bright, with a projected growth of 7% from 2019 to 2029.
How Much Does Dental Assistant School Cost?
An Associate's Degree in dental assisting is often completed at a public or private community college. These programs are usually longer in duration, require full-time participation to complete degree work in two years, and involve general education coursework. These college programs usually take 2-4 years and cost anywhere from $5000 to $15000 a year.
Certified Dental Assistants operate under the supervision of dentists and are responsible for preparing equipment, aiding during dental treatments, and advising patients on postoperative care. On-the-job training is available in some dental offices; nevertheless, high school graduation is necessary.
The cost of a program depends on various factors, like whether it offers a diploma or an associate's degree. Programs that result in a certificate are often accessible at vocational schools or Dental Assisting Academies that provide flexible schedules and specialized student services. These programs may be shorter in length.
These programs allow faster entry into the industry and will most likely only require the coursework required to become a dental assistant. Students will need to finish the certification process after graduation unless the curriculum includes it. Tuition prices might range from $3,000 to $13,000 per year for some vocational schools, but DAACF 8 week training and certification program is all-inclusive (includes registration fee, supplies, books, tuition, and certification) for under $4000!
Conclusion
If you want to be a Dental Assistant, then our program will help you gain insight. While many opt to attend schools that provide two-year associate's degrees, Dental Assistant Training programs are an excellent choice for entry-level workers with a high school diploma or GED. Our program offers affordable education and certification for those who wish to gain knowledge, clinical experience and enter the workforce in as little as 2 months.
The skills learned in dental assisting degree and certificate programs are similar. Still, because dental assisting degree programs are more hands-on and lab oriented, students learn the required skills in greater depth in both classroom and clinical settings.