| If you're thinking of changing careers, and | | | | via hands-on training in the classroom, and |
| are looking for an exciting and fast-growing | | | | being comfortable enough with the experience |
| job with opportunities to be well-rewarded | | | | to calm fearful patients. |
| financially, consider being a dental | | | | |
| assistant. The United States Bureau of Labor | | | | As in almost any profession, you will be a |
| Statistics estimates a 29-percent increase in | | | | part of an office team. It is important to |
| demand for dental assistants over the next | | | | learn how to interact with patients, and with |
| ten years, with pay rates approaching over | | | | with dentists, hygienists, technicians, and |
| $20/hour for experienced professionals. With | | | | other office personnel. A training program |
| a certification program, you can change | | | | that helps you work in teams will help you |
| careers quickly. | | | | immensely in your professional career. |
| | | | |
| What should you look for when choosing an | | | | Specialization in Dental Assisting |
| educational program? | | | | |
| | | | Dental assistance is not a monolithic field, |
| Theory and Science | | | | and the type of job varies greatly from one |
| | | | location to another. Working in a small, |
| Be sure to look for a program that offers a | | | | family-run office in a rural area is very |
| solid foundation of dental science. As an | | | | different from being part of a large, |
| assistant, you will need to know everything | | | | corporate dentist office in a big city. There |
| from how to mix an appropriate cast for teeth | | | | are also many different specializations in |
| or mix amalgam filling for cavities, to | | | | the field, such as pediatric oral care and |
| developing radiographs and x-rays. These are | | | | prison work. If you are interested in a |
| not skills that you can learn on the street! | | | | specific career path, be sure that the school |
| You should look for an accredited school with | | | | you choose offers it, or is able to help you |
| a dental assistant certificate program. This | | | | obtain a position in your desired |
| will allow you to understand the basics of | | | | concentration after you graduate. |
| the industry, while preparing you to learn | | | | |
| on-site job skills | | | | Preparation for the CDA (Certified Dental |
| | | | Assistant) Exam |
| Real-World Dental Assistant Experience | | | | |
| | | | Although it is not necessary in most states |
| A program in dental assisting should offer a | | | | to take the Certified Dental Assistant exam, |
| chance to experience what life is actually | | | | it may give you an edge on the competition. |
| like in this career, through internships, | | | | The CDA is a 300-question exam administered |
| externships or other means. This offers | | | | by the Dental Assisting National Board. In |
| several benefits: First, you'll ensure that | | | | some states, passing this exam qualifies you |
| dental assisting is something you really want | | | | to do more advanced work. This obviously |
| to do, and not just something you want to | | | | makes you more valuable to a prospective |
| learn about. Secondly, you'll get confidence | | | | employer. Unfortunately, it is difficult to |
| in your chosen profession. It is one thing to | | | | give specific information on the CDA, since |
| learn about the science of developing x-rays, | | | | the regulations vary from state to state. You |
| but an entirely different thing to actually | | | | will want to research your state's |
| help x-ray a living, breathing patient! | | | | specifications for this exam. |
| Thirdly, having real world experience makes | | | | |
| you much more valuable to potential | | | | In conclusion, you want to think about the |
| employers. They already know that you can | | | | following requirements before picking a |
| handle the work, and that it is what you want | | | | dental assisting program: |
| to do. Employers are much more likely to hire | | | | |
| a dental assistant who has actually | | | | - Dental Assistance Theory and Science |
| experienced work in this field. | | | | |
| | | | - Real World Experience |
| Soft Skills: Just As Important | | | | |
| | | | - Soft Skills in Oral Care Applications |
| No job is strictly technical, and dental | | | | |
| assisting is no exception. It's not enough to | | | | - Specialization in Dental Assisting |
| know all about the latest dental procedures | | | | |
| and to have completed school with top grades. | | | | - Preparation for the CDA Exam |
| According to recent studies, as many as 75 | | | | (state-dependent) |
| percent of all adults in the United States | | | | |
| suffer from some degree of dental fear or | | | | After considering these factors, you will |
| phobia. To work in this field, you must have | | | | have a much better idea of what your training |
| the skills to know how to deal with patients | | | | experience will entail. You will also be able |
| who may be afraid of tooth and gum | | | | to tell how well the school matches up with |
| procedures, or even of the dentist's office | | | | your specific career plans. Good luck |
| itself. The best way to learn these skills is | | | | preparing for your new and exciting career! |