Since more and more people have become aware of the necessity of dental care, the career prospects of those interested or already taking up a dental assisting course is particularly excellent. In the next few years, it is expected that the demand for a dental assistant will grow alongside the continuing growth of the field of dentistry. In fact, in 2010 the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that in the next seven years the field of dental assisting will grow by 36%.
In some states, dental assistants can work without a college degree. However in recent years, there has been growing demand for them to have relevant certification and training as a way of protecting consumers. Community colleges and vocational school are the traditional providers of this course. Although finding schools and universities that offer dental auxiliary courses are also no longer uncommon. Certificate programs usually take about ten to eleven months while associate degrees encompass two years worth of coursework and hands-on experience. Training program includes discussion on concepts of dental lab procedures, radiology, office management, chair-side assisting, infection control and emergency management.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation is the main accrediting body of over 200 dental school operating in the United States. So when you’re scouting for schools and training facilities ask if they are accredited by this agency. Online campuses are also a good option especially if you intend to study and work at the same time. Just make sure that they also have the proper accreditation and that their cost of attendance is reasonable.
To become a certified dental assistant one should take the Dental Assisting National Board or DANB after successful completion of an accredited training program. Those who have worked as a dental assistant for 2 years can also apply for such a certificate. In the US, 38 states already include the certificate as an entry requirement for employment.
Dental assistants can earn a median wage of $14 per hour which is almost the same for other unlicensed assistant personnel working in the healthcare industry but without the high degree of physical labor inherent in the latter. Dental assistants can also afford to have a second job or a small business because they usually work for only 3 ½ days weekly. Devotion to the job is a primary requirement for success, not just a job as a dental assistant, it is applicable to any job. And, if you are dental assistant, your priority should be caring for the patient’s teeth.
Pursuing a healthcare career is quite physically demanding. Fortunately, there are career paths in the same industry that have good pay without the high degree of physical labor - dental assistant for instance.
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