Dental Assisting is a popular and growing career option for several reasons, including the increasing demand for quality dental care and the fact that the field of dental assisting is thriving. With breakthroughs in dentistry research and an increased need for preventative dental treatments, the employment of dental assistants is expected to expand 19% from 2016 to 2026.
Many people choose dental assisting as a career for job security, easy entry into the industry, and the ability to serve others. Dental assistants must have exceptional competence and attention to detail while organizing appointments, taking X-rays, or aiding dentists with routine or specialist operations.
How do I Become a Dental Assistant?
There are multiple routes one can take to start their career as a Dental Assistant. Many students choose to complete their dental assisting program at a community college or a technical school. Depending on whether a student is pursuing a certificate, diploma, or associate degree, programs typically take one to two years to complete. Most programs offer hands-on learning opportunities in a clinical setting.
Externships are another option for dental assistants-in-training to get experience and differentiate themselves from the competitors. Externships are offered as a voluntary component of the curriculum in various academic programs, giving invaluable real-world training chances.
The final option is less well-known because it is typically the less available option. However, it is also the most cost and time efficient option. Students can choose to undergo a Dental Assistant Training program that will educate and prepare them with everything they need to know about the Dental Assisting field. Students are provided with hands-on training and get personal instruction from Dental Professionals in both classroom and clinical settings. The best part - the program can be completed in as little as 10 weeks! These programs are affordable, time efficient, and can earn you your Dental Assistant Certification. DAACF is proud to offer a 8-week training program that not only helps you become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) but also will help you launch your career as a Dental Assistant by providing assistance with finding job opportunities and externships!
Students can improve their skills in chairside assistance, oral anatomy, dental pathology, radiography, oral hygiene, and dental pharmacology during this period. During their training and externships, students interested in working in particular areas of dentistry, such as pediatric or orthodontic treatment, can focus on these areas.
After graduation, one should choose from a variety of work prospects in general or specialized dentistry. Dental assisting is one of the fastest-growing careers, and is continuing to thrive by being a highly profitable and fulfilling career.
What Qualifications Do You Need To Be A Dental Assistant?
There are no formal schooling requirements for dental assistants. Some dental assistants acquire on-the-job training and have a high school education; however, postsecondary dental assisting programs provide more thorough employee training. Some community colleges and vocational schools offer two-year associate degree programs.
Dental assisting programs are usually one-year diploma or certificate programs that lead to a credential as a dental assistant. These programs typically concentrate primarily on technical training in the classroom, laboratory, and clinic. Dental materials, radiology, chair-side assistance, dental office administration, and bio-dental science are all possible courses.
Dental Assisting Academy of Central Florida only requires a high school diploma or GED in order to enroll. Our training program offers firsthand training experience in lab, clinical, and classroom settings. We also offer flexible scheduling including night classes, remote classes, and labs hosted throughout the week. Our 10-week program is an all-inclusive program that will get you certified to start working as a dental assistant in no time and tuition includes all supplies, textbooks, courses, and training! Anyone can become a Dental Assistant with hard work and some effort, so if you're interested in a career in Dental Assisting, reach out to us today and we'll be happy to help you begin your journey.
Dental assistants can pursue a variety of careers. Some states need dental assistants to have completed a recognized school and passed a licensing exam, while others may not require any formal education credentials at all. Students interested in becoming dental assistants should consider taking biology, chemistry, and anatomy studies in high school.
Some states allow dental assistants to conduct all of a dentist's tasks, while others require them to receive licensing or registration. The qualifications for licensure vary by state; however, they may involve finishing an authorized postsecondary education program. Florida only requires Dental Assistants to have on-the-job training supervised by a licensed dentists or CDA certification earned through a training program. DAACF offers both options and will help you launch your career in Dental Assisting.
How Much Does It Cost To Be A Dental Assistant?
A variety of higher education schools offer dental assisting programs. The cost of the courses will vary depending on the length of the program, the sort of training provided, and regional variables. Community colleges and four-year college certification programs are all options for dental assistant training.
These programs are usually longer and require full-time attendance to complete in two years, and they may contain general education material. The majority of students in the United States pay between $6,000 and $15,000 a year in tuition for both public and private two-year schools, according to a 2019 report.
Students can also get their certification after completing a training program at a vocational school or Dental Assisting Academy that also offers flexible timetables and specialized student services. These programs may be shorter, allowing for quicker employment, and will typically only require the education required to become a dental assistant.
Students will need to finish the certification process after graduation unless the curriculum includes it. Tuition for vocational schools might cost anywhere from $5,000 to $13,000 a year. At Dental Assisting Academy of Central Florida, we offer an all-inclusive 10-week course for under $4000 that includes tuition, registration fees, books, supplies, and your certification!
Is a Dental Assistant A Good Job?
The dentistry field is an excellent career option since it provides stability, decent pay, and the satisfying experience of helping others. A shorter path will be to work in the field as a dental assistant if you don't wish to spend years in medical school.
Dentist assistants do a variety of essential responsibilities at the dental office, including collecting x-rays, maintaining records, and providing patient care. The Dentistry Assistant Professional Diploma may be the ideal option for you to work in the dental field.
No doubt, there will always be a demand for dental assistants as long as dentists exist. Most medical offices are busy, which means there is a lot of work to go around, resulting in long-term demand for dental assistants. You can relax and enjoy your work more when you are confident in your job.
One of the most important advantages of becoming a dental assistant is the opportunity you'll have to enhance your abilities further and advance your career in the dental field. Working as a Dental Lab Assistant, Treatment Coordinator, Dental Assistant Educator, and other roles are all possible after becoming a Registered Dental Assistant.
What Can You Do After Becoming A Dental Assistant?
Completing Dental Assisting training may appear to lead to just one profession at first, but there's more to it than that. It can lead to a variety of lucrative and long-term employment in dentistry as a whole.
With extra training, qualified dental assistants can move to other dental auxiliary professions such as dental hygienist, dental technician, and prosthetist. If you have a tertiary education, you could potentially train to be a dentist.
After a few years of experience, dental assistants can pursue an advanced degree to become dental hygienists or dentists. As a dental assistant, you'll get a firsthand look at the world of dentistry.
To become an EFDA, you can get formal training in the classroom or online. An associate degree in dental hygiene can also be earned using a traditional dental assisting school as a foundation.
DAACF is here to help you explore your options and assist you along your journey. We offer Dental Assistant Training and Certification program, but our services don't end there. We are committed to ensuring our students have a successful and fulfilling career that's right for them. We offer employment opportunity assistance to help our students find jobs in their field, and help students create a long-term career plan to help them map out their future in the dental field. Whatever you choose to do after becoming a CDA, it is sure to be a lucrative and fulfilling career, and DAACF is happy to help!