How to Become a Dental Assistant

While the duties performed will vary by dentist and even by the state, the following tasks are some you may perform each day:

• Prepare patients for the oral examination
• Organize and maintain lab equipment
• Schedule appointments and follow up with patients
• Take, develop, and mount all radiographs and x-rays
• Prepare treatment rooms, instruments, and tray setups for dental procedures
• Record medical and dental histories and the vital signs of patients
• Handle patient billing and payments

So, let’s imagine you are a dental assistant working for Dr. Bob. Mrs. Bishop comes in for her bi-annual cleaning and examination.

You will get Mrs. Bishop ready for her examination by asking her if she has had any changes to her oral health (i.e.: bleeding gums, tooth pain, etc.) You will then get her situated in the chair, bib her, and make sure all of the trays of equipment needed for the exam and clean and ready to go.

If during the examination, any suspected cavities may be found, you will perform the x-rays and get the films back to the dentist. At the end of Mrs. Bishop’s appointment, you may be the one who takes her payment as well as schedules her next appointment.

Dental assistants play a big role in helping dental offices run smoothly and it’s no surprise these healthcare professionals are in such high demand in 2023 and the future.

1. No Prior Experience is Needed

Good news! You don’t need any degree or prior experience to gain your certification. In fact, you could start a career as a dental assistant in just 4 months.

Unlike other healthcare professions that require extensive degrees to get into the medical sector, this program ensures placements right after you complete your program. This is especially important for those looking for a career change and cannot afford to invest either their time or money in lengthy degree. This is one factor definitely works in their favor.

2. A Great Working Environment

If the idea of working in a typical office environment, staring at a computer screen all day doesn’t appeal to you, then you will most likely enjoy working in a dentist’s office – a clean and well-lit environment.

As a dental assistant, you also have the freedom to move around, be involved in a variety of tasks throughout the day, and find the opportunity to interact with a lot of different people. You also get to perform a variety of tasks so you’ll never get bored. No two days are ever the same for a dental assistant.

3. You Can Work in Many Different Places

Once you obtain your certification training, the world, or at least the country, is your oyster. Since dental assistants are needed everywhere there are dentists’ offices, you will never feel tied down.

From big cities to small rural communities, you’ll have your choice of where in the country to live and work. If you’re someone who would like to experience different landscapes, this career could help achieve that. Also, since there are a variety of dental specialties – from oral surgeons to orthodontists and more – there are plenty of different types of settings you can work in.

4. You Can Help People Every Day

It’s no secret that many people don’t like – okay, even hate – going to the dentist. Many people feel scared and anxious during their appointments, and you are someone who can help put people at ease.

Moreover, oral health is really important in keeping people healthy. Not only that, with the care provided, your patients feel confident about their bright smiles. That kind of makes you like a superhero!

5. Launching Pad for Other Career Opportunities

Becoming a dental assistant is a great way to get your foot in the door of the growing healthcare industry. Once you get some experience under your belt, you will have the opportunity to decide if you want to explore other career possibilities.

For instance, you may decide to become an office manager or even a dental assistant instructor to earn a higher salary. Your time as a dental assistant will also give you a solid foundation upon which to continue your education toward becoming a dental hygienist.

6. You’ll Learn How to Take Better Care of Your Own Teeth

The importance of good oral health and hygiene habits cannot be overstressed. You’ll learn plenty about how to take the absolute best care of your own smile! This added benefit will always help in making a good impression on people.

7. A Healthy Job Outlook and Great Pay

In the coming years, there will be a huge demand for dental assistants. Moreover, the profession is also very desirable because of the pay and benefits that it offers. But we’ll cover job growth and pay in just a bit.

Our quiz could help you save time and money on a certification program from the right school or accredited university – and it takes less than a couple minutes to complete.

5 Things to Look for In A Dental Assistant Certification Program

1. Find an online program from an authorized school

If you want to start your career path with the biggest chance of success, then gaining your certification training is a critical step. Beyond gaining a massive amount of necessary knowledge, you’ll also get to hang an official certificate on your wall!

2. Look for a discount and a low monthly payment plan

Many adult students don’t have limitless budgets to gain the right education. That is why OnlineDegree.com has made it our mission to help adult learners get huge discounts toward their certification!

Our mission to help learners save money on education becomes even more important a financial toll on families, possibly discouraging them from taking up educational opportunities. If you are also someone whose biggest setback was economic upheavals that the entire world has been facing for a couple of years, this program can help kick-start your journey in the healthcare industry.

3. Make sure an externship placement is included

When it comes time to look for a job, you want to be able to show prospective employers you have gotten real-world hands-on experience and that you’re ready to start working without additional training.

This will help set you apart from the competition and this is something you should not ignore when starting out in a profession.

4. Look for an online, mentor-supported course you can take at your own pace

In an ideal world, you’d be able to study at your own pace and on your own schedule. You’d also get all the help and support you need. This is crucial to maintain family life and other responsibilities as you approach this new and exciting career.

Moreover, online mentor support will provide you with the extra attention you need to successfully make it through the program and start your professional journey.

5. Find out if textbooks are included in the cost of the program

Have you seen the prices of textbooks lately? Dental Assisting books can be expensive! Look for a program that doesn’t charge extra for books.

Don’t worry…we can help you find a program! We’re on a mission to make education as easy and affordable for students.

6. (Bonus!) Use our free quiz to find a certification program that meets all of these criteria 

We’ve done the research for you! Save time by using our healthcare quiz to get matched with the best certification programs. All programs meet these criteria and are chosen for you based on your career goals and life situation.

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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for dental assistants was $38,660 in May 2021, or $18.59 per hour.

Of course, these wages are affected by a variety of factors. You may find, for instance, that the specific type of industry you work in will increase your earnings potential. For example, the BLS shows dental assistants working within government health offices had a median annual salary of $46,090.

Most dental assistants work full-time. Some occasionally work evenings or weekends.

According to the BLS, employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 8% from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

Additionally, as the large baby boomer population continues to age, these individuals will also seek dental treatments to maintain their teeth and oral health. The industry will continue to expand.

If you are interested in becoming a dental assistant, you may also be wondering about which states will be hiring the most. According to the BLS, California has the most employed dental assistants in the country, followed by Texas and New York.

When it comes to cities, New York City hires the most but there are also good job opportunities in cities like Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, and Anaheim.

The BLS also suggests that those dental assistants who carry certification training have the best prospects of finding a good job.

This will always hold true, especially for the healthcare industry. Having education and training from credible institutions will always remain an important factor in maintaining not just quality but also patient outcomes. Luckily we can connect you with accredited universities that offer this training!

Next, you’ll want to determine what type of environment you’d like to work in. In addition to traditional dental practices, dental assistants also have the opportunity to work in specialty areas, such as:

• Oral and maxillofacial surgery
• Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics
• Endodontics
• Periodontics
• Prosthodontics
• Pediatric dentistry

Once you’ve figured out what work environment you’d like to work in, you should definitely try and gain some real-world experience before starting your job search. This will help stand out and give you a competitive edge over other newbies in the industry.

The good news is a quality certification program will include an externship so you can gain some hands-on experience. This is most important for performance on the job as well as for career opportunities!

Q: What Does a Dental Assistant Do Every Day?

A: A dental assistant performs a wide variety of tasks that help the office run smoothly. Of course, duties will vary depending on the type of office you work in, but generally speaking, a dental assistant will do things like maintain patient records, assist dentists during procedures, sterilize equipment and complete basic lab tasks.

Q: What is a Dental Assistant Certification?

A: A dental assistant certification is a valuable asset to have as it shows prospective employers that you have taken the time to learn everything you need to know – they won’t need to train you on the job. This certification will hopefully be something that gets your resume to the top of the heap!

Q: What Skills Will I Learn in Dental Assistant Training?

A: Your training will include topics such as proper cleaning and sterilizing of equipment, how to take a dental x-ray, how to assist with oral health procedures, and other information.

Q: What Are the Prerequisites for Enrollment in a Certificate Program?

A: The only requirement for enrollment in these programs is a high school diploma or equivalent.

So here’s what we recommend you do to get started: Take this quiz to see if you qualify for an online certification program from an authorized school or accredited university.

Take the Quiz! >

A dental assistant certification is required or preferred by most employers. Plus, taking a certification program could be the best way to get your foot in the door, build your network, get training, and work experience.

Take this quiz to see if you qualify for:

• 10% Off A Certification Program
• An Externship For Real Work Experience
• Affordable Programs and Low Monthly Payments
• No Extra Cost For Textbooks – All Included and Shipped To Your Door
• Online, Mentor Supported Courses You Can Take 24/7 At Your Own Pace

If you are ready to get started on an exciting and rewarding career as a dental assistant, then take this short quiz to get started toward your dream!