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