The Basics of Dental Assistant Training in California
The Basics of Dental Assistant Training in California
Most dental assistant training programs are about 9 to 11 months long. Students who graduate from dental assistant training usually receive certificates. If you're looking for Dental Assisting schools then you can look into the following institutions.
- Dental Schools
- Community Colleges
- Universities
- Technical Institutes
- Vocational Schools
Depending on the school you attend you may be offered accelerated dental assistant training, part time education programs, or online education options.
Dental Assistant Certification
Students must take an examination that evaluates their knowledge. In order for the student to receive their certification they must pass this examination. The Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) examination is offered to students who would like to become nationally certified. The CDA is offered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).
Students who take the Certified Dental Assistant exam should expect it to be about 4 hours long. The exam is made up of 320 questions, which are divided into three main sections. There are 900 points available and the student must receive 400 or more points to pass. The three sections of the exam are made up of:
- General chairside test- this has 120 questions
- Radiation health and safety- this section has 100 questions
- Infection control test- this section is made up of 100 questions
The student must pass this exam in order to prove that they meet the necessary standards to provide quality dental care.
What Students Study
There is a lot to know when becoming a dental assistant. Areas to learn vary from office administration to chairside assisting. By finding a good Dental Assistant schools you are sure to learn all that you need to become a good dental assistant. Some of the typical areas that the school will offer courses in include:
- Dental Laboratory Procedures
- Dental Science
- Dental Radiology
- Dental Assisting Applications
- Dental Office Management
- Emergency Management in the Dental Office
- Chairside Assisting
On The Job Training
If a dental assistant receives on the job training instead of graduating from an accredited school, then they may take the examination only after completing two years of full-time work as a dental assistant.
Important questions that only you can answer will affect how you go about to get certified. Would you like to go to an accredited school and receive training? Would you rather receive on the job training? How soon would you like to enter the workforce? Overall it is a personal decision when deciding what course of action to take when earning your dental assistant certification.