subject: Dental Assistant Program: A Guide For Your Future [print this page] In this rapidly changing job market, it's not surprising that more people are considering enrolling in a dental assistant program. Being a dental assistant is a job that has a high demand, good pay and can be completed in a short period of time. If you are looking for a new career, check out what a dental assistant program has to offer.
What is a Dental Assistant?
The role of dental assistant is to help people feel more at ease in the dentist chair. Although improvements in Novocain have made dental visits relatively painless, dentistry has had a long association with pain that won't go away anytime soon. A good dental assistant is friendly and encouraging, whether the patient is 8 or 80.
Dental assistants also work alongside dentists, doing all they can to make the dentist's job easier. Simpler activities such as teeth cleaning and brushing instructions can be more economically done on the dental assistant's time. Certified dental assistants can perform clerical and laboratory duties.
What's Involved in a Dental Assistant Program?
A qualified dental assistant program will train you to prepare the patient for treatment, take X-ray examinations, obtain dental records, sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment, prepare tray setups for dental procedures, provide post operative instruction, prepare materials for making impressions and restorations, advise patients on proper oral health and expose the radiographs that process X-ray film according to the dentist's directions.
Outline of a Dental Assistant Program
The program typically covers anatomy, physiology and terminology. You'll also learn your computer basics and brush up on math fundamentals. In addition, you will learn CPR and first aid, as emergencies can occur and you'll be the first responder. Dental anatomy and pathology will be studied, as will pharmacology and office administration. You'll also learn about clinical dental procedure, as well as the care and use of dental equipment. A study in dental radiography and dental materials is also required.
Job Outlook for Dental Assistants
Entry-level dental assistants are currently in high demand. The Department of Labor Statistics predicts that demand for dental assistants will continue to rise through 2018, with an expected growth of 36 percent. Considering that most industries are receding, assistant dentistry is one of the few professions that holds promise.
Most dental assistants work 35 to 40 hours a week, though some of that may be in the evenings or on the weekends. The environment is well lit and clean and the pay is steady and decent.
License Requirements
The duties of a dental assistant are regulated at the state level. Dental assistant certification through a dental assistant program is an acknowledgment of qualifications, knowledge and capability.
Some dental assistant programs only require seven months of training, which means you can be on your way to a rewarding career in less than a year!
