Learn About Dental Assisting

If the idea of maintaining a flexible schedule while working closely with dental patients appeals to you, read on to find out more about becoming a dental assistant. This job profile will give you some insight into the daily duties, job market, education requirements, and general pros and cons of the position.

WHAT DOES A DENTAL ASSISTANT DO?

People often confuse dental assistants and dental hygienists, but the two careers are quite different. While a hygienist's main tasks are cleaning teeth and sealing, assistants perform a different set of responsibilities, which can include:

1) Office Duties – All dental assistants are responsible for locating and handling patient records, but many also perform administrative duties. Scheduling appointments, receiving patients in the waiting room, sending bills and ordering supplies are all tasks that might fall to a dental assistant.

2) Patient Care – Dental assistants work directly with patients and dentists to make the patient as comfortable as possible. Assistants sterilize equipment and utensils in preparation for treatment and hand instruments to the dentist during procedures. After a visit, a dental assistant may also advise the patient on postoperative or general dental care. Strong communication skills and a friendly disposition are important. Depending on the office, assistants might prepare materials for impressions, help the dentist to remove sutures, apply topical anesthetics or cavity-preventative agents, and/or remove excess cement.

3) Laboratory Work – Lab work refers to behind-the-scenes processes that are essential to patient care. Assistants may make casts of teeth from impressions, clean removable appliances, and make temporary crowns.

The duties of a dental assistant will vary depending on the office, the state, and the dental assistant's level of education. For example, some dental assistants perform "expanded functions" such as radiological procedures. But in some states, assistants are required to pass an exam to perform these functions.

HOW DO I BECOME A DENTAL ASSISTANT?

Job Market

Dental assisting is expected to grow much faster in coming years than many other jobs, with a projected 36 percent increase in jobs from 2008 to 2018, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Emphasis on preventative oral health care and greater retention of natural teeth is causing a rise in demand for various dental professionals, assistants included.

Training

Almost every state has no specific education or training requirements for entry-level dental assistants. But there are many options out there for dental assistant training—programs and certificates are available to help dental assistants seek extra responsibilities. Since most states don't have formal requirements for this position, pursuing continued education in the field can be a little confusing. Make sure to check your state's particular guidelines to learn what kind of certification or training you need for your ideal dental assistant position. Below we've outlined some of the basic levels of education you might find for the position:

On the Job Training

Many dental assistants receive only on-the-job training, meaning that no set education is required to begin work — requirements for the position are at the discretion of the hiring dentist. These assistants learn terminology and daily duties in only a few months from their dentist supervisor and other assistants. Most states allow this model, but do not allow these dental assistants to perform expanded duties. Other states allow dental assistants to perform any task delegated to them by a dentist, including radiological and other expanded duties.

Dental Assistant Training Programs

An increasing number of aspiring dental assistants are now enrolling in dental assistant training programs. The majority of programs take one year to complete and result in a certificate, but there are also two-year programs at community and junior colleges, in which you earn your associate degree in dental assisting. Other options include four to six month programs at vocational schools and 10 week programs that run out of dentists' offices. Not all of these programs are accredited or regarded equally, though.

Career Advancement

A dental assistant can move up the office ladder to jobs like lead assistant or treatment plan coordinator. These jobs will likely pay under $20/hr, similar to dental assisting. For slightly more pay, an experienced dental assistant can leave the office and become a dental assisting instructor or dental product sales representative.

HOW DO I CHOOSE A PROGRAM?

Once you have decided whether or not a dental assisting program makes sense for your career aspirations, there are three major factors to consider in your search for the right training:

1) Accreditation – Accreditation is a tricky subject in every discipline, but particularly in dental assisting because some states will not license dental assistants for expanded duties unless they graduate from an ADA (American Dental Association) accredited institution. While over 30 states recognize a passing score on the DANB exam as sufficient for licensure, some states have their own state exams with more stringent standards. Michigan, for example, does not recognize the DANB exam and requires aspiring dental assistants to graduate from an ADA accredited dental assistant program. Find a list of over 200 ADA accredited dental assistant programs by searching here http://www.ada.org/5500.aspx. All are one to two year programs.

2) Curriculum – Whether you decide to enter an accredited or unaccredited program, you should make sure that your school's curriculum includes plenty of hands-on experience. A good one to two year program will include classroom, laboratory, and preclinical instruction in dental assisting skills. In fact, some people find 10-week, unaccredited, dental office-based programs more useful than accredited training. Though dental offices often skip the theory in their programs and are not recognized as formal education, they offer important, real-world skills training that can give their "graduates" an edge.

3) Cost – Of course, cost is an important consideration, and in most cases, accredited programs are more costly than unaccredited programs. One and two-year accredited programs can cost anywhere from $3,000-$7,000. Training in a dental office can cost around $2000 and a six month vocational program can come in at less than $1000.

SHOULD I BECOME A DENTAL ASSISTANT?

Pros

Dental assisting is a great way to break into the health care field quickly, with training lasting two years at most. Only half of dental assistants work full time, and most have very flexible schedules, so this is a great career for adults with families or other part-time jobs. Dental offices are usually closed on weekends and holidays, so assistants work regular hours, and 80 percent have paid vacations. Dental assistants are also likely to get discounted dental care for themselves and their families.

On a more personal level, dental assistants enjoy their proximity to patients and the social nature of the job. Many say that no two days are ever the same and that they constantly learn new things at work.

Cons

The main complaint that dental assistants have is that they do not receive the same respect as dental hygienists, are paid much less, and have limited opportunities for career advancement. Some also say that working closely with the dentist can create stress if the relationship is not solid.

Even so, dental assisting is a respected and important job. It's a great way to get involved in health care and to get started on a career path quickly.