Dental assistants work with licensed dentists. They help dentists before and after dental work as well as during the dental treatment. Dental assistants prepare patients for treatment, note their medical histories, prepare equipment, take x-rays and apply anesthetics. Dental assistants make casts of teeth, create temporary crowns and clean dental prosthetics. They work in dentist’s office too. Their work includes billing, receiving patients in the office, keeping patient records, etc. Dental assistants also schedule the appointments and supply orders. Before starting a career as a dental assistant, you have to follow some necessary steps.
Students generally complete a dental assistant program at technical schools, community college or vocational schools. Depending on course, programs take like one to two years to complete. You can choose from diploma course or associate degree course. Apart from classroom teaching, you will be trained practically to be fit in this field. Courses commonly include Dental materials, dental pharmacology, dental radiography, oral anatomy and first aid.
You can specialize in many different areas of oral care. There are other areas like Endodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, Prosthodontics, maxillofacial surgery and Dentofacial orthodontics in courses of dental assistant. Actually, you need to focus on what you are willing to learn. Yes, it takes a relatively short period of time to become a dental assistant. You will receive certificates after the completion of your courses. Maximum academic programs related to dental assistance course, take nine to eleven months to complete. Apart from that you can complete the course via distance education or part time education program.
Dental assistants can fulfil their training by gaining experience and by completing an externship. A large number of academic programs offer externship programs. During this type of learning procedure, you can experience real life situations and polish your skills in dental pathology, oral hygiene, oral anatomy and dental pharmacology. They can focus on chair side assisting too.
Certificate and license is necessary in many states for getting a job as a dental assistant. You have to pass the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) examination, which is certified by The Dental Assistant National Board (DANB). You have to score 400 or more than this to be a certified dental assistant. The exam carries 900 points in total. A student who doesn’t pass the examination, are requested to give the exam next time. It is always a good idea to see yourself as a certified or licensed dental assistant; so that in the near future, you don’t have to face any troublesome situation related to job or selection. If you are interested, you may also choose to complete the National Entry Level Dental Assistant test. This is also administered by the DANB. You can grab further certifications, including Preventive Functions Dental Assistant, Restorative Functions Dental Assistants and Orthodontic Dental Assistant.
State regulations may vary in that case though. You can go for associate degrees too. This two year associate degree covers many topics similar to the certificate and diploma programs, but in depth. So focus on your goal, choose the proper courses and be a certified dental assistant.