Choosing a career as a dental assistant is a smart decision. Dental assistants have competencies and skills to perform administrative, laboratory and patient care tasks under the supervision of licensed dentists.
According to BLS.gov, Many assistants learn their skills on the job, although an increasing number are trained in dental-assisting programs; most programs take 1 year or less to complete.
If you want to start your career as a dental assistant, then opting for online education is a smart, flexible and convenient way to acquire all the essential skills and knowledge you will be needed to become a successful dental assistant.
What are the Job Duties of Dental Assistants?
Dental assistants can successfully run a dental office while performing major roles such as assisting dentists during dental procedures. Being a dental assistant you are solely responsible to work beside the dentist providing assistance during dental procedures in the laboratory and office. Moreover, they prepare patients for treatment, delivering examination instruments to dentists, sterilize dental instruments, process dental x-ray film and prepare materials and much more.
Both part-time and full-time work opportunities are available to the dental assistants. Some advertised positions require X-Ray and CPR certification and mostly some level of computer skills are desirable.
Employment Prospects and Salary Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment options for dental assistants are quite good and they can work in specialty areas such as orthodontics, periodontics, pediatric and dental prosthetics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that job growth is expected to increase by 35.8% through 2018.
Dental assistants can find employment in a variety of health care areas including dental schools, military dental clinics, hospitals and nursing homes. The average yearly salary of dental assistants is approximately $33,170.
What Will You Learn in Online Dental Assisting Programs?
Online dental assisting degrees cover courses such as dental radiography, lab techniques, dental office management, dental anatomy, human biology, licensing exam preparation, dental science, chair-side assisting, dental materials, and dental office practices. Students also gain hands-on experience in dental radiology techniques, dental lab procedures and preventative dentistry methods.
Completing a dental assisting program prepares students to pass Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) examination in order to become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA).
Online Dental Assisting Degree Programs
Online dental assisting degree programs are available at associate’s, certificate and diploma levels. Individuals interested in getting dental assisting training can choose from any of these dental assisting programs.
Online Associate’s Degree In Dental Assisting: Enrolling in an online associate’s degree in dental assisting usually takes two years to complete and provides students with an in-depth knowledge of dental practices. An online associate’s degree in dental assisting focuses on major core courses and lab courses as well as allows students to participate in clinical rotations.
Online Certificate Program In Dental Assisting: Those opt for an online certificate program in dental assisting will learn about the lab work and clinical rotations, dental equipment and techniques. Certificate programs in dental assisting takes a year or less and equip students with skills and clinical experience required to become a certified as a dental assistant.
Online Diploma Program In Dental Assisting: While online diploma program in dental assisting takes about one year to complete and help students familiarize with the tools and techniques used in dental assisting.
There is a surprisingly large amount of online programs dedicated to Dental Assisting, but don’t be overwhelmed. The great thing about this type of education is that it can happen at your pace. Go online and find the perfect school for you on your own time, and then decide how that will fit into your schedule. This relatively new medium of education is designed to ensure that you can maintain your work and social life while working toward your dream career. Be in complete control of your life while learning a valuable trade.
In conclusion, starting your career as a dental assisting requires proper training in dental lab procedures as well as practical experience in specialty areas. Pursuing your dental assisting degree program is the best way to get all necessary skills and expertise required to become a certified dental assistant.
About the guest author:
Kelly Gibson is a professional webmaster. Her main area of interest is educational research. Check out her blog for affordable online learning options, useful articles on online education, accredited online schools, universities and much more.