Dental Assistants are key members of the
dental team, performing a wide range of important patient, clinical
and laboratory procedures. In these courses you will learn an introduction
to dental health, dental hygiene and preventative dentistry, the
fundamentals of dental x-ray and basic dental office administration
duties for large or small dental practices. You will also be trained
in both clinical and administrative capabilities. Clinical responsibilities
include sterilizing and preparing instrument trays, exposing and
processing x-rays, conducting oral inspections, preparing patients
for treatment, and taking vital signs. Administrative responsibilities
include patient charting, appointment setting, completing insurance
forms, accounts payable and fee collections.
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What Does A Dental Assistant Do?
A dental assistant has a variety of jobs which makes the work interesting.
Meeting patients, booking appointments, keeping records, keeping
treatment records, maintaining accounts and filling in insurance
claims are part of the general administrative work. In a small dental
practice, with only one dentist, the dental assistant will be the
only other person available to patients. Developing a relationship
with patients is a pleasant way to help the business and enjoy the
work.
What Are The Entry Requirements and Training?
There are no entry requirements usually because the training is
done while working with the dentist. However, there are four year
part time courses and two year full time courses which lead to an
associate degree. Sometimes an accredited course will only last
a year. A useful foundation for these courses is having studied
biology, chemistry, health and office procedure. Ensuring the courses
are accredited by the Dental Assisting National Board is a sensible
precaution. These courses include classroom work, laboratory work
and preclinical instruction. Dental assistants also need to be trained
in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. For someone with a science interest
this is an interesting job.
Community schools, the armed forces, technical institutes and junior
colleges are the most likely places to find these courses. While
most States regulate dental assisting, licenses and certification
varies widely throughout the country so it is important to find
out what the State you wish to work in demands. After earning a
license the dental assistant has to maintain their current knowledge
to be re licensed.
The foundation of being a dental assistant can lead to other jobs.
From becoming an office manager, to training others, to re training
as a dental hygienist are some of the paths to follow. The Bureau
of Labor Statistics suggests that job prospects in this field are
excellent as trained individuals move to specialist, or other types
of work, they leave vacancies. There will, therefore, always be
openings available for the able and qualified person.
A degree program from an accredited dental assisting school can
prepare you to excel in one of today's most explosive healthcare
professions. Dental assisting programs will provide you with the
skills and theoretical knowledge to pursue employment as a dental
assistant in a patient-care setting. Most dental assisting programs
can be completed in just one year. Choosing a career as a dental
assistant is a smart decision, since dental professionals are currently
in high demand.
Qualities of a Dental Assistant
Someone who is reliable, consistent and competent and who is able
to work well with others, either as part of a team or with an individual
dentist. Someone so involved with the public needs to be calm and
have a good manner with patients. Most people find a visit to the
dentist a struggle so having someone with a pleasant way about them
eases the tension.
This is a satisfying and rewarding type of work for those who are
interested in it.
Featured
Dental Assistant, Hygiene Schools
Everest College Develop the skills to succeed in today's highly competitive business environment. Everest College can prepare you for a rewarding career in some of today's hottest fields.
Campus Locations: Milwaukee, WI | San Francisco, CA | Colorado Springs, CO | Ontario, CA | San Jose, CA | Everett, WA | Bremerton, WA | Los Angeles, CA | Gardena, CA | Kansas City, MO | Aurora, CO | Tacoma, WA | Willowbrook, IL | Bedford Park, IL | Reseda, CA | Melrose Park, IL | Anaheim, CA | Springfield, MO | Atlanta, GA | LA Puente, CA | Renton, WA | Chesapeake, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Fort Worth, TX | Alhambra, CA | Seattle, WA | Henderson, NV | Arlington, TX | Newport News, VA | Torrance, CA | Vancouver, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Portland, OR | Hayward, CA | Earth City, MO | Vienna, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Denver, CO | Dallas, TX
All-State Career - Healthcare Division is committed to providing quality training for students just like you. Financial aid is available for students who qualify. * Programs vary by location * Please contact each individual campus for accreditation information
Campus Locations: Essington, PA | Baltimore, MD Programs Offered:
Experience the Rewards of Caring, With ECPI’s Medical Careers Institute, you can Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree in 2.5 Years or Your Associate’s Even Sooner through Our Year-Round Schedule!
Campus Locations: Newport News, VA | Henrico, VA | Manassas, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Charlotte, NC | Greensboro, NC | Columbia, SC | Richmond, VA | Raleigh, NC | Greenville, SC Programs Offered:
Dental Assisting - Associate
Medical Assisting - Associate
Healthcare Administration - Bachelor
And more...
Kaplan College - KHE Don't wait another day to take the next step forward in your career. Kaplan College can give you the real-world knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your chosen field.
Campus Locations: Dayton, OH | Salida, CA | Fort Worth, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Vista, CA | Stockton, CA | Midland, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Corpus Christi, TX | Riverside, CA | Lubbock, TX | Bakersfield, CA | Beaumont, TX | San Diego, CA | Chula Vista, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Laredo, TX | Las Vegas, NV | Columbus, OH | Cincinnati, OH | Brownsville, TX
Programs Offered:
Diploma: Dental Assistant
Diploma: Patient Care Technician
Diploma: Medical Assistant
And more...
Brown Mackie College Grow, evolve, become at Brown Mackie College family of schools
Campus Locations: Birmingham, AL | Findlay, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Miami, FL | Akron, OH | Fort Wayne, IN | Michigan City, IN | Bettendorf, IA | Oklahoma City, OK | Canton, OH | Louisville, KY | San Antonio, TX | Fenton, MO | Greenville, SC | Lenexa, KS | Ft Mitchell, KY | Atlanta, GA | Hopkinsville, KY | Tucson, AZ | Albuquerque, NM | South Bend, IN | Merrillville, IN | Salina, KS | Boise, ID | Bedford, TX | Tulsa, OK | Cincinnati, OH
Carrington College has helped over 45,000 graduates realize their dream of a career in healthcare. Now it's your turn. Choose from eleven conveniently located campuses.
Campus Locations: Spokane, WA | Tucson, AZ | Boise, ID | Portland, OR | Phoenix, AZ | Mesa, AZ | Reno, NV Programs Offered:
American Career College (ACC) offers hands-on training that will prepare students for careers in the healthcare industry at three campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County, California. ACC's programs combine classroom lectures and hands-on training to prepare students for a Diploma or Associate of Occupational Science degree.
Campus Locations: Anaheim, CA | Los Angeles, CA | Ontario, CA Programs Offered:
Dental Assistant
Medical Assistant
Everest Institute Take your career to a whole new level with a degree from Everest Institute. Programs available in Accounting, Paralegal, Business Administration and more.
Campus Locations: Houston, TX | Norcross, GA | Bensalem, PA | Austin, TX | Dearborn, MI | South Plainfield, NJ | Brighton, MA | Chelsea, MA | Southfield, MI | Grand Rapids, MI | Kalamazoo, MI | Marietta, GA | Pittsburgh, PA | Saint Paul, MN | Rochester, NY | charleston, WV | Detroit, MI | San Antonio, TX | Jonesboro, GA | Miami, FL | Hialeah, FL | Silver Spring, MD | Portland, OR
Looking to prepare for your dream career? Fortis Institute can give you the skills and training you need to succeed in the fast-growing and high-demand healthcare field. * Programs vary by location * Please contact each individual campus for accreditation information * Fortis Institute - Indianapolis advertising code is AC-0163.
Campus Locations: Houston , TX | Winter Park, FL | Birmingham, AL | Hyattsville, MD | Norfolk, VA | Scranton, PA | Phoenix, AZ | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Pensacola, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Orange Park, FL | Richmond, VA | Dayton, OH | Miami, FL | Wayne, NJ | Mobile, AL | Lawrence Township, NJ | Towson, MD | Erie, PA | Cookeville, TN | Tampa, FL | Cincinnati, OH | Grand Prairie, TX | Ravenna, OH | Columbia, SC | Largo, FL | Mulberry, FL | Westerville, OH | Baton Rouge, LA | Dothan, AL | Foley, AL | Houston, TX | Montgomery, AL | Kingston, PA | Nashville, TN Programs Offered:
Dental Assisting
Dental Assistant
Expanded Function Dental Assistant
Advantage Career Institute Inc. Earn your certificate and start a new career with Advantage Career Institute. Certification programs include dental assisting with radiology, medical assisting with phlebotomy and EKG, and medical billing and coding with electronic health record.
Business programs provide a unique blend of courses that prepare
students to enter today’s demanding business world. The business
degree exposes students to theories and practices of accounting, banking,
finance, global management, leadership, marketing, risk management
and more. Learn how a business education can propel your career to
a new level.
Health care is the largest and fasting growing industry in the
U.S. As our population grows, so does our need for qualified and well-trained
medical professionals. Learn all about programs in the medical field
like Dental Hygiene, Health Care Management, Massage Therapy, Medical
Assisting, Nursing, Psychology, Physical Therapy, Pharmacy, X-Ray
Tech and more.
Dental
assisting is a rapidly growing field with excellent employment
opportunities. It is one of the fastest growing occupations. Dental
assistants work with patients and dentists. They oversee office
duties and work alongside dentists examining and treating patients.
They also often perform laboratory work.
While dental assistants previously learned on the job, and, indeed,
some still do, dentists are increasingly demanding one complete
a dental assisting program. Many programs take less than a year
to complete.
Interested is something other than our Dental Assisting
Schools, take a look at our directory of Online
Colleges
We hope we helped you find the best Dental Assisting
Schools, so you can obtain your Dental Assisting Degree in no
time. We wish you the most of luck in your future in Dental Assisting.
Campus Locations: 
Programs Offered: 
