Gaining an Online Education to Become a Dental Assistant
Gaining an Online Education to Become a Dental Assistant
Students that want to work inside a dental office have many educational opportunities. The daily work conducted by a dentist needs the support of several staff members. Becoming a dental assistant is possible when students complete the correct training. Online colleges and universities offer students different course options to prepare them to become assistants.
Students learn the patient care and office management techniques needed to be successful in their future careers. Education focuses on several different areas such as dental science and biology to train students for the profession. Main activities performed by dental assistants include:
Using proper equipment to keep patients mouths dry
Preparing materials for restorations
Making casts of teeth
Conducting administrative duties such as confirming appointments and maintaining records
Proper education teaches students how to work under the supervision of a dentist. Traditionally, dental assistants learned work related duties by receiving on-the-job training. In today's professional workplace more employees prefer hiring individuals who have received a formal education. Most programs last around one-year and award students a certificate or diploma. Students also have the opportunity to complete an associate's degree program.
There are numerous essential skills that only a hands-on training environment can give to students. Because of this an entire program cannot be completed through online education. Students that can't step into a traditional college program can begin education online by completing general and conceptual-based courses. Online courses may include:
*Oral Anatomy
Students study the human head, its oral cavity, and anatomy. The tissues of the neck and the structure of the head are examined to prepare students to keep patients comfortable on the dental chair.
*Dental Office Procedures
The skills needed to help run an office are explored. Students learn office skills like appropriate phone etiquette and how to schedule an appointment. File management, bookkeeping, inventory control, and payroll are some other areas that students will explore.
Typically, students can take their education gained online and transfer their earned credits into a campus-based program. Clinical skills are explored through hands-on training, which can include performing oral exams and processing x-rays.
A certificate or diploma program will take the preliminary knowledge gained through online school and round out education. Students will learn how to work with a dentist by providing efficient chair-side assistance. Dental radiology and lab techniques are explored inside required lab courses and clinical studies. Clinical studies have students using their knowledge in a practical situation. Associates degree programs cover topics such as medical terminology, infection control, and preventative dentistry. The knowledge gained allows students to work inside dental offices, insurance companies, and dental equipment suppliers.
Schooling prepares students to successfully pass certification exams that allow them to be licensed. Requirements vary by state so students should research what their states requirement is to ensure the proper licensure is received. Students can begin accredited dental assistant training online today by choosing courses that will help them in their future studies. Accreditation is provided by agencies like the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA) to programs that provide a quality education. Completing a program and gaining the needed hands-on training allows students to step into satisfying careers.
DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised at PETAP.org.
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