How to Obtain an Education and Career in Dental Assisting
How to Obtain an Education and Career in Dental Assisting
Students will need to obtain a higher education prior to pursuing careers in dental assisting. Students that are interested in this industry will find that vocational colleges offer several training opportunities. The process of obtaining an education will look different based on the college and program students choose to attend.
Education is focused on providing students with the knowledge needed to conduct patient care and office duties. This includes sterilizing dental instruments and performing laboratory tests. Three main aspects need to be completed before students have the ability to step inside the industry. This typically includes:
Choosing a Degree Program
Completing a Degree Program
Obtaining the Appropriate Licensure
Students can take these components used in obtaining an education to become dental assistants and apply them to their pursuit of training in the form of steps. Completing these steps will provide students with concentrated plans on entering their desired careers.
Inside the field three main educational training opportunities are available. Vocational colleges offer students the chance to work through certificate, diploma, and associates degree programs. The completion of one program is all that is needed to be eligible to enter a career as a dental assistant. Students can choose programs based on the amount of time they can give to education. Certificate programs require the least amount of schooling time and last less than one year. Diploma programs last approximately one year. Students that complete associates degree programs will need to dedicate two years to education before stepping into the industry as professionals. Once programs are chosen, students can move on to obtaining the knowledge necessary to work under dentists.
Obtaining a formal education prepares students to understand each area of the field and prepares them for their roles as professionals. Each level of training teaches students to become dental assistants. Certificate programs focus on the procedures used inside the field to assist dentists. Routine practices such as taking x-rays and managing patient files are explored through classroom lectures and clinical practice. Some states may require students to continue their education in order to be eligible to obtain licensure.
The tools and practices used in dental assisting are explored at a deeper level in diploma programs. Radiology, dental office management, and oral anatomy are course topics discussed. The training received gives students the skills needed to work in various specializations such as orthodontics, dental prosthetics, and periodontics.
Students that work through associate's degree programs complete general education courses in biology and mathematics along with dental assisting courses. Training covers the procedures taken to remove stitches, get rid of excess cement particles, and place dental dams. Obtaining an associate's degree gives students the highest career flexibility.
Once students complete training they need to research their states requirements on licensure. Successfully obtaining the needed licensure and completing the necessary amount of continuing education prepares students to become assistants.
Students that start by researching their options will be one step closer to accomplishing their career goals. Become a professional inside the industry by completing an accredited education in dental assisting. Accreditation comes from agencies like the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and is awarded to schools and colleges that meet certain criteria and offer the best quality educational training.
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 on our website.
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