Dental Assistant Career and Training Information

A dental assistant is an integral part of a dentist’s office, providing services to patients who go to orthodontists, periodontists and physician’s offices. The ever-increasing need for dental assistants is very high because of the great turnover within the field. If you want to become a dental assistant, you must be able to handle many different types of situations in addition to dealing with mounting paperwork.

The duties that a dental assistant performs includes:

• Preparation of patients for certain procedures
• Sterilization and preparation of dental equipment
• Being able to aide the dentist/orthodontist, etc. during procedures
• Maintaining office records and billing
• Taking appointments

A dental assistant or hygienist also performs the rudimentary work of the dentist such as filling cavities, educating patients on tooth care, and cleaning patients’ teeth. Although hygienists are not allowed to diagnose, they work with dentists and may be able to point out some things that a dentist, whose patient load may be large, may miss.

The advantage of earning an associate’s degree in Dental Hygiene is that schedules can be flexible and pay can be higher than average. Job requisites do vary nationwide but most dental assistants must obtain a license and an associate’s degree from an accredited online dental school. Other course work during the dental assistant program may include:

• Nutrition
• Dental Hygiene
• Diet and Medicine
• Pharmacology
• Radiology and microbiology
• Anatomy and physiology

Upon completion of an associate’s degree which usually lasts two years, you can continue studying and transfer credits to an accredited online school to earn a more advanced degree. At that point, you may want to study the art of cosmetic dentistry, which is becoming very popular. Whichever you choose, a career as a dental hygienist can be very rewarding. You should have excellent people skills and have a good attention to detail, as well.

• 

  Penn Foster

  Having the right skills is vitally important in today’s super-competitive job market. With online training from Penn Foster Career School, students are assured of learning up-to-date career skills that will prepare them for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Students at Penn Foster Career School can get the training they need quickly, conveniently, and affordably.

  Penn Foster is one of the world’s largest and most respected online education providers. Their programs are job focused, and they offer training for employment in the fastest-growing fields in business, technology, health care, and the trades.

• 

  Vista College El Paso

  Vista College offers numerous programs in Business, Healthcare and Technology that will give you a much needed edge when looking for a new career or seeking to move up in your existing career. The focused instruction and hands-on training offered at Vista College prepares you for the day-to-day challenges you’ll face in an exciting career.

• 

  Blue Cliff College

  Blue Cliff College is committed to using its human and physical resources to provide services facilitating personal growth, professional development and a sense of responsibility to our students.

  The primary purpose of Blue Cliff College is to help students develop a high level of competency, which is accomplished through the pursuit, assimilation, and dissemination of knowledge in academic programs.

• 

  Vista College Longview

  Vista College offers numerous programs in Business, Healthcare and Technology that will give you a much needed edge when looking for a new career or seeking to move up in your existing career. The focused instruction and hands-on training offered at Vista College prepares you for the day-to-day challenges you’ll face in an exciting career.

• 

  Anthem College

  Anthem College delivers accredited, career-focused diplomas and degrees in a wide variety of fields to help you meet the challenges of these fast growing and ever changing industries.

  At Anthem College, you will find professionals ready to support your quest for a successful career. Anthem College offers programs to students who are entering the workforce for the first time as well as those who are looking to expand their existing career skills.

• 

  Heritage College

  Every Heritage school (Heritage Institute & Heritage College) helps real people build real careers. Our schools offer programs and degrees for a career as an X-Ray Medical Technician®, Medical Assistant, Massage Therapist, Esthetician, Surgical Technologist, Personal Trainer, Pharmacy Technician, or Cosmetologist. Please note that all programs may not be offered at all schools.

• 

  American Career College

  American Career College (ACC) offers hands-on training that will prepare students for careers in the healthcare industry at three campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County, California. ACC“s programs combine classroom lectures and hands-on training to prepare students for a Diploma or Associate of Occupational Science degree. All ACC programs include access to trained faculty, a full student services department committed to helping students succeed, and career guidance and services after graduation. ACC is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools; some programs also hold programmatic accreditation or approvals.

  Programs vary by campus. Program lengths vary by session and schedule. Financial aid available to those who qualify. ACC cannot guarantee employment. American Career College is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.

• 

  Ultimate Medical Academy

  Train for your new career today! Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) provides you the hands-on education and credentials you need to start a career in the fast-growing health care industry. We have two convenient campuses in Clearwater and Tampa, Florida and our sole focus is helping you succeed as an Allied Health Care professional.

• 

  Akron Institute of Herzing University

  With a wide variety of career programs including Technology, Business, Healthcare, Design, and Public Safety, Herzing University has helped students pursue rewarding careers for more than 40 years. Akron Institute students benefit from hands-on preparation that helps them stand out to potential employers. Akron Institute is conveniently located at 1600 South Arlington in the heart of Akron.

• 

  Seacoast Career School

  Seacoast has become one of the fastest and most effective ways to begin a high growth career with excellent income potential. Seacoast has campuses conveniently located in Manchester and Sanford. Students are instructed with state-of-the-art, real-world technologies that today’s employers are seeking.