How To Become A Dental Assistant

A dental assistant assists the dentist with examinations and treatments.

How to become a dental assistant. The time it takes to become a dental assistant is often much shorter than one might assume and for a person holding a bachelor s degree could be a short as sitting for a job interview. After finishing your certification program you can work shoulder to shoulder with dentists orthodontists oral surgeons and prosthodontists across the country. What does a dental assistant do. Some states use the title expanded functions dental assistant efda.

The duties of a dental assistant are comprehensive and include assisting the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures helping patients feel comfortable and easing anxieties and teaching patients the skills needed to maintain and improve oral health. Other states might use a title like licensed dental assistant lda registered dental assistant rda registered dental assistants with expanded. Dental assistants are needed anywhere quality oral care is practiced but the healthcare field isn t for everyone. Trained certified dental assistants are among the most attractive to employers and they may qualify for more advanced positions without needing as much experience as other candidates.

There are three main steps to becoming a dental hygienist. Complete a california department of education approved 4 month educational program and 11 months of work experience with a dentist s licensed in one of the states of the united. Although some dental assistants get started with on the job training you can also choose to obtain formal education in order to become a certified dental assistant cda and help boost your career prospects. Dental hygienists usually hold an associates degree such as an associate for applied science in.

How to become an expanded function dental assistant. Danb offers national certification exams exams leading to certificates of knowledge based competency and state specific dental assisting exams. Get an undergraduate degree. What is a dental assistant.

Learn more about the role including real reviews and ratings from current dental assistants common tasks and duties how much dental assistants earn in your state the skills current employers are looking for and common education and career pathways. Many dental assistants want to be able to perform expanded functions. Complete at least 15 months 1 280 hours of satisfactory work experience as a dental assistant with a dentist licensed in one of the states in the united states. Essential skills for a dental assistant.