Since regular dental care is important for our overall health, we should find the time to visit a dentist at least to get our yearly cleaning. Upon your arrival of your appointment, the first person to greet you is the dental assistant. He or she will prepare you for your treatment with the dentist. As you watch the well-dressed dental assistant, for a moment you think about becoming one.

However, we shrug off the idea when we consider the monetary and time investment and the struggle. But, there is still a way around getting into the dental profession; fortunately, it requires less time, money, and relatively lesser effort.

Yes, we are talking about dental assistants. They assist the dentist throughout the medical procedures and also guide the patients about them in advance.

It’s an in-demand and lucrative career, so let’s discuss how you can train and become one.

How do you become a Dental Assistant?

The requirements to become a Dental Assistant vary from one state to another. While one state might employ an assistant with just a high school diploma and some training, another might require you to pass a DANB’s Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) examination.

Let’s look at the formal pathway to becoming a certified dental assistant.

1. Get your high school diploma or GED.

Getting a high school diploma is one of the first steps towards pursuing this career path.

If your coursework includes subjects like biology, anatomy, health sciences, and general administration, it will help you prepare better for the job.

In case you don’t have a high school diploma, you can opt for earning a GED.

2. Complete a dental assistant program.

Though some states don’t require certifications or qualifications, completing a dental assistant program gives you an edge over other candidates in job interviews.

Therefore, look for an accredited program by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and enroll yourself. Typically, dental assistant programs take one to two years to complete depending on whether you get a certificate or an associate degree.

Such programs include theory and laboratory work about gums, teeth, supporting dental instruments, CPR, and other crucial medical instruction.

3. Get experience or complete an apprenticeship.

This step is not necessary, but it’s better for employment opportunities if you cover this one too.

So, consider enrolling yourself in an externship or working as a trainee before formally joining the workforce. This can be a part of your ongoing dental assistant program, or alternatively, you can decide to simply do it voluntarily.

During the internship or training, you will learn about patient care, dental techniques, practical use of instruments, and general administrative tasks. All of this will enhance your professional skills and empower your interpersonal skills and boost your resume.

4. Get Certified.

Once you are done with your dental assistant program, you can work towards obtaining a state license in parallel with your training or volunteer experience.

You would need to check the requirements for certification with your state’s dental board or the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).

Some states require taking a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam, which contains a total of 320 questions around general chairside assisting, radiation health, and infection control.

Once you’ve passed the exam, you instantly boost your employment opportunities.

5. Alternate for License.

If you haven’t completed a dental assistant program or diploma, there is an alternate way for you to become a licensed dental assistant. What is that?

If you lack relevant education, you can work for thirty-five hundred hours as a dental assistant under a licensed dentist. These 3500 hours equal an entire course of study in hands-on CDA training.

What subjects do Dental Assistants study?

All dental assistance students are expected to have decent knowledge about biology and general human anatomy. However, during their course, they study the following topics:

• Oral Anatomy
• Dental Materials and Instruments
• Dental Radiology
• Orthodontics and Periodontics
• Nutrition and Oral Hygiene
• Infection Control
• Vital Signs
• Patient Education
• Dental Office Procedures

What is their job description and what roles do they have?

Dental assistants are responsible for the most comprehensive and varied tasks in a dental office.

Besides providing the patient with high-quality care, dental assistants carry out several office and laboratory tasks as well. These tasks include helping senior dentists in handling patients, instruments, and supplies during a treatment procedure.

Moreover, dental assistants take patients’ medical history, document-related data in files, and perform dental radiographs (x-rays).

Although assisting with dental surgeries or treatment is one of the most prominent tasks, their job doesn’t end there. They give relevant instructions to patients regarding oral care following a surgery or treatment procedure.

Further, they also teach proper oral hygiene strategies to patients and help them maintain good oral health.

Once dental assistants gain considerable experience, they start working on specific jobs and have distinct job titles. Some examples are:

• Unregistered Dental Assistant (entry-level)
• Dental Aid
• Dental Office Manager
• Dental Radiologic Technologist (Dental x-ray license)
• Certified Dental Assistant (CDA )
• Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)

These are just a few examples; there are many specific job roles for dental assistants.

What is a dental assistant’s career outlook?

Dental assistants have great earning potential and earn salaries equal to other health care personnel like medical assistants, physical therapy assistants, pharmacy assistants, and others.

In May 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that average dental assistants earn at least $40,000 to $60,000 per year.

Moreover, the BLS also reported that employment opportunities in the field are expected to grow by 11% from 2020 to 2030.

What are some good learning resources for dental assistants?

Several valuable and informative resources are available for prospective dental assisting students, from non-profits to representative organizations to job boards. Below are some of the most notable resources for students wishing to pursue a career as DANB-certified dental assistants.

• The DALE foundation website is a comprehensive resource for dental assisting students. It offers free courses & study aids for DANB preparation, and enlists resources and requirements for dental assistants by state. https://www.dalefoundation.org/

• The American Dental Association (ADA) website has information about exams for national and state licenses and certifications for dental assistants and dental hygienists. They provide study guides and sample tests to help prepare for the tests. https://www.ada.org/en

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes quality documents that are helpful to people working in the dental profession or just interested in the guidelines of oral health. Moreover, their site has sections on school-based water fluoridation and the dental sealant program for schoolchildren. https://www.cdc.gov/

If you wish to pursue this career path, start exploring these resources and build a strong career foundation.