Dental assistants help dentists perform several important tasks, ranging from assisting during surgeries to cleaning teeth. The first step towards a dental career would be an associate’s degree program in dental assistant.
Associate of Arts (A.A.) Degree Programs for Dental Assistants
Students enrolled in dental assistant programs are prepared to render assistance to dentists with a variety of tasks, such as surgery and dental check-ups. Dental assistants will become adept in making patients comfortable, conducting basic dental exams, performing cleanings, and answering questions from patients.
Technical schools and community colleges are among those that offer dental assistant associate’s degree programs that take two years or less to complete. Those graduates can seek entry-level work in various settings, such as hospitals, dental equipment suppliers, and dental offices.
Admission criteria typically require applicants to hold a GED certificate or high school diploma. In certain instances, they may be expected to show proof of CPR certification and current immunizations.
Coursework combines classroom lectures and dental laboratory studies, in addition to hands-on experience, imparted through supervised internships or externships wherein students get to work with patients. Rudimentary coursework may include the following topic areas:
•Radiology for dental assistants
•Dental office management
Job and Wage Outlook
A faster-than-average job growth of 36% has been predicted for dental assistants during the decade of 2008 to 2018 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)). In May 2012, dental assistants earned an average annual wage of $34,500 (BLS).
Certification and Continuing Education Choices
Registration or licensure is mandatory for dental assistants in most states. In some states, holding a license allows dental assistants to perform advanced procedures, including radiological procedures, while in other states, they would be allowed to perform these procedures only after obtaining additional training. Completion of formal training and passage of an examination are required to obtain licensure. The Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) credential is offered to qualified candidates by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).
Dental assistants that pursue continued education can aspire to become dental hygienists whose responsibilities involve working more closely with patients while often resorting to the use of dental instruments in cleaning and examining teeth. In 2012, dental hygienists earned an average annual salary of $70,210 (BLS).
Akin to dental assistant programs, dental hygienist programs are also available as associate’s degrees; however, interested students can also pursue bachelor and master degree programs in dental hygiene. Students may choose majors at the master’s level in areas such as dental hygiene management or education.