If you are eager to enter the healthcare industry rapidly, opting to become a dental assistant is a superb option. Particularly for those desiring to begin earning a respectable salary right away – given that training can be completed in just nine months, it's clear why an increasing number of individuals are selecting this career direction.

Countless individuals leverage the foundational role of a dental assistant as a stepping stone toward higher roles in the dental and healthcare sectors. This is why choosing to be a dental assistant is a wise move for anyone looking for a fresh career path.

What is a Dental Assistant?

Distinct from dental hygienists who engage directly with patients, dental assistants support dentists and their teams by managing both office and medical duties. In terms of administration, these beginners are tasked with keeping up with patient documents, organizing schedules, and procuring dental supplies. Clinically, they take charge of activities such as developing X-rays, cleansing dental tools, managing suction apparatus, and taking impressions of teeth.

Several advantages of embarking on a career path as a dental assistant encompass:

• Job security: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics¹, or BLS, the field of dental assisting is projected to add more than 64,000 jobs between 2016 and 2026. This represents growth of 19 percent, ensuring long-term job security.
• Quick training: You can complete an accredited dental assistant program in less than a year and start looking for jobs right away.
• Competitive pay: Dental assistants enjoy competitive pay — especially when you consider the minimal training requirements.
• Lots of career options: For many, becoming a dental assistant is just the first step in a career that can head in many directions, including dental hygiene and even dentistry.

A major appeal of pursuing a career as a dental assistant is the rapidity of the required training completion. Prior to exploring the steps involved, it's crucial to recognize that licensing or certification requirements for dental assistants vary by state. For specific requirements, consult your state's dental board or get in touch with the Dental Assistants National Board (DANB).

How to Become a Dental Assistant

Here is a straightforward guide on how to become a dental assistant:

Complete a dental assistant program: Accessible through community colleges and vocational and technical schools, dental assistant programs are readily available. Certificate programs, which are the most common and favored path, generally demand about nine months to a year of study. For those considering future advancements, associate degree programs are available as well, necessitating around two years of education. There are currently approximately 270 programs that are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, also known as CODA². In jurisdictions requiring a certificate or license, eligibility to take the licensing exam requires completion of one of these accredited programs, or alternatively, gathering at least two years of practical experience in a dental assisting role.

Undertake an externship: Numerous programs for dental assistants advocate for students to secure and undertake externships, offering essential practical training and experience. In these periods, students refine vital skills in dental assisting such as understanding dental pathology, practicing oral hygiene, learning about oral anatomy, and assisting at the chairside.

Obtain necessary certification, if mandated by your state: In regions where certification for dental assistants is compulsory, the Dental Assistant National Board, commonly known as DANB, manages the certification process. After finishing, you will be awarded the Certified Dental Assistant, also referred to as CDA, credential.

Seek further certifications: Based on your career aspirations, you may consider acquiring more certifications. These could be Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant, also known as CPFDA; Certified Restorative Functions Dental Assistant, referred to as CRFDA; and Certified Orthodontic Dental Assistant, commonly abbreviated as CODA.

How Much Can I Earn?

As reported by the BLS³, in 2016, the average annual salary for dental assistants in the U.S. was approximately $37,630, equating to about $18.09 hourly. The highest 10 percent of income earners received about $53,130 annually, or $25.54 per hour, while the bottom 10 percent earned roughly $26,170 per year, or $12.58 per hour.

Jobs in This Field

Based on their workplace, certain dental assistants primarily engage in administrative tasks or clinical duties, although quite a few manage both areas. Others advance into specific roles within dental assisting, with common specialties being periodontics, pediatric dentistry, prosthodontics, and maxillofacial surgery.

Numerous individuals beginning their careers as dental assistants opt for further education and training to explore various professional routes. For instance, advancing to a dental hygienist is a common progression; this role merely necessitates an associate’s degree. Some opt to specialize as dental technicians, focusing on creating dentures and various prosthetic apparatus. No matter your specific interests, embarking on this career trajectory guarantees numerous fulfilling prospects.

How to Become a Dental Assistant

Currently, the appeal of becoming a dental assistant is clear to many, given the brief duration of required training and the generally affordable cost of dental assistant courses. Nevertheless, it remains essential to carefully consider and investigate various dental assistant programs thoroughly.

Across the nation, there are numerous certified programs available, with a significant number accessible online, meaning locating a flexible option that meets your financial needs might take some investigation. However, once you secure your initial position as a dental assistant, you will undoubtedly feel that the effort was justified.

As with any decision, staying informed with the most recent studies is wise. It's advisable to evaluate a minimum of three or four alternatives prior to finalizing your choice. Conducting an online search is generally the fastest and most comprehensive method to gather all the necessary advantages and disadvantages to consider.