Dental Assistant Career Outlook And Explanation

Outlook for the dental assisting career path is relatively promising especially because of the increasing awareness among people on the importance of dental hygiene. The need for more dental assistants is concomitant to the burgeoning importance of the dental industry. In fact, in 2010 the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that in the next seven years the field of dental assisting will grow by 36%.

In some states, dental assistants can work without a college degree. However in recent years, there has been growing demand for them to have relevant certification and training as a way of protecting consumers. Community colleges and vocational school are the traditional providers of this course. Although finding schools and universities that offer dental auxiliary courses are also no longer uncommon. Certificate programs usually take about ten to eleven months while associate degrees encompass two years worth of coursework and hands-on experience. Training program includes discussion on concepts of dental lab procedures, radiology, office management, chair-side assisting, infection control and emergency management.

There are over 200 schools in the US that offer dental auxiliary courses which are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association (ADA). It will be to your best interest if you study in these institutions. Online campuses are also a good option especially if you intend to study and work at the same time. However, you should ascertain if the school has proper accreditations and at the same time have reasonably priced attendance fees.

To become a certified dental assistant one should take the Dental Assisting National Board or DANB after successful completion of an accredited training program. Those who have worked as a dental assistant for 2 years can also apply for such a certificate. In the US, 38 states already include the certificate as an entry requirement for employment.

Dental assistants can earn a median wage of $14 per hour which is almost the same for other unlicensed assistant personnel working in the healthcare industry but without the high degree of physical labor inherent in the latter. Dental assistants can also afford to have a second job or a small business because they usually work for only 3 days weekly. Devotion to the job is a primary requirement for success, not just a job as a dental assistant, it is applicable to any job. And, if you are dental assistant, your priority should be caring for the patient’s teeth.

Pursuing a healthcare career is quite physically demanding. Luckily, you can pursue a career which is not as physically demanding but just as financially rewarding, just like dental assistant jobs. Click here to read more about how you can become one.