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Dental Assistant Training Summary
A Dental Assistant is responsible for helping a dentist during dental procedures. Specific responsibilities differ from one job to another, and in large are dependent on the dentist’s needs as well as the level of training an assistant already has. Usually though they are required to assist by helping with the suction machine during procedures, handing instruments to the dentist and assisting the patient to feel comfortable during the procedure. They often take and develop x-rays, clean and sterilize equipment and clean up after the procedure is finished. In some situations a Dental Assistant may also handle front desk tasks such as greeting patients, making appointments, answering the telephone and keeping track of and ordering inventory items.
In the past, many Dental Assistants were trained on the job, however these days most dentists require that their assistant has undergone training prior to beginning in their employment. Courses are anywhere from nine to twelve months long, and they are available at various colleges and dental schools. During the course of the training future Dental Assistants will learn all they need to know in order to assist dentists. Not only will they study basic dentistry, radiology and laboratory procedures but also basic First Aid and CPR and basic office management; thus preparing them for any tasks they may be called on to help with. They will also spend some time in clinical training and once their basic training is over they will also be placed in an externship where they will receive on the job training at either one or two different locations.
There is financial aid available for studies, in the form of either a scholarship or a federal loan, for those who need it. Again, it is best to find out before committing to a college whether or not they participate in the various aid and scholarship programs as not all do.
It is usually recommended that studies are completed at an accredited institution. Many dentists now require that their assistants be certified. There are also more opportunities for salary increases and job advancement amongst Certified Dental Assistants. If the training school is not certified it is also possible to obtain certification by taking an examination after two years work experience has been completed.