What Should I Look For in a Dental Assistant Program?

If you are considering a career change and are looking for an exciting and fast-growing job with opportunities for good financial reward, consider a position as a dental assistant. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that demand for them will increase 29 percent over the next decade, with wage rates exceeding $20 an hour for experienced professionals. With a certification program, you can quickly change your career. Get more here Md Tangeer Mehedi.

What should you consider when choosing an educational program?

Theory and science

Be sure to look for a program that offers a solid foundation of dentistry. As an assistant, you need to know everything from mixing a suitable cast for teeth or mixing amalgam fillings for tooth decay to developing x-rays and x-rays. These are not skills that can be learned on the street! You should look for an accredited school with a dental assistant certificate program. This allows you to understand the fundamentals of the industry while also preparing you to learn the job skills on the ground

Practical experience as a dental assistant

A dental assistant program should provide an opportunity to experience life in the profession through internships, placements abroad, or other means. There are several benefits to doing this: First, you make sure you really want to be a dental assistant and not just something you want to learn. Second, gain confidence in your chosen profession. It's one thing to learn about the science of how x-rays evolve, and quite another to actually help x-ray a living, breathing patient! Third, hands-on experience makes you much more valuable to potential employers. You already know you can get the job done and that's what you want to do. Employers are much more likely to hire a dental assistant who actually has experience in the field.

Soft Skills: Just as important

No job is purely technical, and the dental assistant is no exception. It is not enough to know everything about the latest dental procedures and to have graduated from school with top marks. According to recent studies, up to 75 percent of all adults in the United States experience some degree of dental fear or phobia. To work in this field, you need to know how to deal with patients who may be afraid of tooth and gum surgery, or even the dentist's office itself. The best way to learn these skills is through hands-on classroom training and familiarization with the experience of calming anxious patients.

As in almost every job, you are part of an office team. It is important to learn how to interact with patients and with dentists, hygienists, technicians, and other office staff. An apprenticeship that supports you in working in a team will support you enormously in your professional career.

Specialization Dental Assistant

Dental assistance is not a monolithic field and the nature of the activity varies greatly from place to place. Working in a small, family-run practice in the country is very different from working in a large dental office in a big city. There are also many different specializations in this field, such as: B. pediatric oral care and prison work. If you are interested in a specific career path, make sure that the school you choose offers it or can help you find a job in your desired concentration after you graduate.

Preparation for the CDA (Certified Dental Assistant) exam.

Although taking the Certified Dental Assistant exam is not required in most states, it can give you an edge over the competition. The CDA is a 300-question exam administered by the Dental Assisting National Board. In some states, passing this exam qualifies you for advanced work. This obviously makes you more valuable to a potential employer. Unfortunately, it's difficult to provide specific information about the CDA because regulations vary from state to state. You should research your state's specifications for this exam.