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Dental Assisting Schools in Arizona
Search: Dental Assisting Schools
Request free information from any of the Arizona dental assisting programs below. Get on the road to becoming a dental assistant quickly and easily and start earning what you're worth in this rewarding career field.
Spotlight: Online Dental Assisting School
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Many dental assistants learn on the job. High school students interested in becoming dental assistants should take courses in biology, chemistry, health, computer literacy, and office practices. Dental assisting is the fastest-growing career for which a degree is not required.
More and more dental assistants are learning their trade at community or technical colleges, at trade schools, or in the Armed Forces. They learn chair-side and lab procedures, patient care, infection control, and patient education. They also learn about basic office skills and customer service. Online classes provide flexibility for working students and access for students in remote locations.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation within the American Dental Association (ADA) approved 269 dental assisting training programs in 2006. Students may earn certificates or diplomas through one-year programs or associate’s degrees through two-year programs. Private vocational schools offer four- to six-month courses, but the ADA accrediting body does not approve of these.
Office and front desk duties may include greeting patients, scheduling appointments, handling insurance claims, retrieving patient records, and billing. Many of these tasks require familiarity with computer software. Specialized duties, such as taking x-rays, may require additional training. In some states dental assistants have to pass state-approved courses in radiology and/or pass a radiation health and safety exam in order to perform radiology tasks.
Dental assistants can continue their education to become dental hygienists. According to the ADA, 87% of dentists reimburse their employees for continuing education.
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