If you are trying to decide on a good career that is recession proof, then a career as a dental assistant is a good choice, since they are in high demand, and the need for them is growing. If you are out of work and looking for a new job, consider a career as a dental assistant.
Missouri College Campus Location: Missouri College
CRT - Dental Assistant
AS - Dental Office Administration
Vatterott College Campus Location: Berkeley, Springfield
Dental Assistant
Many states do not require a degree to become a dental assistant, but some states do require that you have a license or be registered to work as a dental assistant. Becoming a licensed dental assistant requires a high school diploma or a GED and 9–11 months of dental assistant study, which is available during the day and evening. After you complete your dental assistant studies, you must pass an exam. In some cases, you may be required to pass a “Radiation Health and Safety examination.” Some dentists offer on-the-job training for those who want to become dental assistants.
Foreigners who have received their dental assistants degree and want to work in this country may be able to get the necessary license just by taking the US dental assistant exam.
High school students wanting to be a dental assistant should study chemistry, biology, and health practices.
As a dental assistant, you must be able to work well with others, have a good attention span, and be good with your hands. You will also have the opportunity to become a sales representative for dental products and even train others to be dental assistants.
As a dental assistant, you will have to know which instruments are needed for each job, lay out the necessary instruments for each job, sterilize the dental instruments, and keep patients’ mouths dry while they are being worked on. Dental assistants may also carry out in-house procedures, such as bleaching patients’ teeth and mixing substances. You must also be able to handle the sight of blood, which will occur during some surgical procedures, and you will likely be required to dispose of bloody tissue. The duties of dental assistants will vary from practice to practice, and you may be given more duties with time and experience.
A career as a dental assistant can be fun and rewarding. You have the opportunity to help and work with other people while being paid. You can wear your nice clothes without worrying about ruining them, and you will be able to work in an environment where you are always learning something new. Dental assistants usually work only part-time, but sometimes they work for more than one dentist. After finishing a shift with the first dentist, they may go and work a shift with another dentist. Dental assistants can earn over $13 an hour, and to find out the current salary for dental assistants in your state, go to salary.com.
With a diploma from Penn Foster Career School you can become a dental assistant and begin a rewarding career in healthcare. With online classes at Penn Foster Career School, you can learn at your own pace and on your own schedule.
