Your Career Can Be Rewarding As A Dental Assistant - Education - College and University

A dental assistant is an important part of the dental team that helps a dental office operate smoothly and profitably. Dentists, in an effort to free up their own time for more complex procedures, will likely begin to hire additional peoples to perform routine procedures. The job prospects for them are very positive. Additionally, a they should not be confused with that of a dental hygienist. A hygienist's license allows him or her to perform very different tasks within the dental office.

Dental assistants are responsible for many different facets of a dental office that include patient care, laboratory duties as well as office tasks. They may sterilize equipment; prepare materials and instruments for each patient and ensure dental records are up-to-date. These professionals often work directly alongside the dentist, ensuring materials and equipment are available as needed.

In addition, a dental assistant will process x-rays for the dentist or prepare the materials used to make impressions. The responsibilities are diverse enough to include the removal of sutures, or the application of cavity-prevention agents or topical anesthesia to the gum. Dental assisting can also require the removal of excess cement from fillings or the placement of a dental dam to isolate the appropriate tooth. More regular office duties would include confirming appointments, ordering dental supplies or updating patient records.

There are no formal training or education requirements for an entry-level employee in most states. Associate's degrees, however, are often the norm. They can complete a dental-assisting training program that takes a year to complete, currently offered by many vocational schools and community colleges. If your personal interest includes more advanced dental procedures, you may find you need a license or appropriate certification. This varies from state to state, and it would be in your best interest to verify the licensing requirements of the state of interest.

If the state does require a license of some sort, this may include passing a written or practical examination. Most states also require licensees to meet continuing education requirements to maintain licensure as dental technology changes rapidly and often. However, there are a few states that still allow them to perform any function delegated to them by the dentist. Even if you have completed a training program, some on-the-job training will still be necessary to acclimate to a specific dentist's style.

The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) is the entity responsible for administering the certification; The Certified Dental Assistant, which is accepted by 37 states as documentation that the applicant has met certain requirements. This certification is open to candidates who have completed a certification program from an accredited school or can document four years of part-time experience or two years of full-time experience. Additionally, all candidates must appropriately document certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Furthering your education is the most prudent way to advance your career, but many dental assistants are properly trained, without further education, to succeed as office managers, dental product sales associates or claims processors for insurance companies. Hygienist careers are often the next move for assistants seeking career advancement.