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Across the United States, over 294.000 dental assistants are employed providing dental healthcare to patients. Dental assistants are graduates of the different schools offering the dental assistant program. Depending on the program, they can complete the course with a diploma, a certificate or an associate’s degree.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) has approved over 281 dental assistant programs in 2009. The accreditation serves as an indicator that the programs being catered is of highest of standards and provides the students with quality education. The dental assistant program can be taken at vocational schools, technical institutes, community colleges, junior colleges, and even from hospitals and the Armed Forces. The program is designed to teach students the basic roles and responsibilities of the dental assistant in their work environment.
A dental assistant school may offer diploma programs, certificate programs, or associate degree programs. These programs may be taken online if the school offers an online approach. Diploma programs and certificate programs can usually be complete in less than a year, around nine to eleven months in average. Degree programs take longer, about two years, due to the more detailed course outlines and additional courses that come with it.
Course contents and outlines are different from school to school so it is important for applicants to research on their desired school in order to know in advance what courses they offer as well as the overall quality of their facilities and professors. However, generally the topics included in a dental assistant program involves dental terminology, anatomy and physiology, dental pharmacology, chairside procedures, laboratory and office duties, and supporting courses like computer works, proper communication, professional etiquette and the laws and rights related to the dental healthcare.
Some dental assistant schools have radiological courses that teach about the know-hows on the usage of x-rays, how to develop and read radiographs. These can be introductory or comprehensive in nature. The program also encompasses on healthcare topics such as first aid, pathology or the study of diseases, safety precautions in the laboratory and dental operations, sterilization, and how to create a therapeutic relationship with patients.
Graduates of accredited dental assistant schools are eligible to take certification. So if dental assistants plan on getting a license, they have to enroll in schools that possess accreditation. Certification involves taking an examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). The credential provides recognition to dental assistants for having exemplary competency skills. This is a valuable accomplishment for those that aspire to further their careers into expanded functions as well as acquiring higher positions in the industry.
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